Portfolio management
Aescap-backed Biocartis acquires Philips Technology Platform
Aescap-backed molecular diagnostics company Biocartis has acquired Philips’ technology platform for rapid fully-automated DNA/RNA molecular diagnostic testing.
Walter services acquires SEB
Walter services Holding GmbH, a portfolio company of Odewald & Cie and caption, has agreed to acquire SEB Card Service GmbH from Swedish banking group SEB AG.
Eschenbach Group acquires Tura
Barclays Private Equity-backed eyewear manufacturer Eschenbach Group has acquired 85% of American eyewear company Tura with effect from 1 December 2009, with 15% being held by the company's management.
Doughty-backed Avanza acquires two new concessions
Doughty Hanson transport business, Grupo Avanza has made two acquisitions previously managed by Grupo Trapsa.
UK - DFJ Esprit-backed PacketExchange acquires Mzima
DFJ Esprit- and Bank of Scotland Growth Equity-backed PacketExchange, the internet exchange services provider, has acquired network services provider Mzima Networks for an undisclosed sum.
GERMANY - Odewald-backed walter services makes acquisition
walter services Holding, which is backed by Odewald & cie and caption, has agreed to acquire SEB Card Service from Swedish banking group SEB.
NETHERLANDS - Steadfast-backed MPS acquires Butina A/S
Steadfast Capital-backed Meat Processing Systems (MPS) has acquired a majority stake in Butina A/S.
Steadfast-backed MPS acquries Butina
Steadfast Capital-backed Meat Processing Systems (MPS) has acquired a majority stake in Butina A/S.
FRANCE - Accor board splits company in two
Colony Capital- and Eurazeo-backed Accor has backed the board's decision split the company into two separate entities, based around its hotel business and its prepaid services division, with both companies to be listed separately on the Paris stock market.
HUNGARY - Tuning in to corruption: PE sues in Hungary
Once deemed CEE's frontrunner in terms of economic advancement and attracting foreign investment, Hungary seems to have taken a step backward, with the government becoming embroiled in a legal dispute with Vienna-based private equity investor Accession...
GREECE - Argo-backed On Telecoms acquires Vivodi
On Telecoms, a telecommunications business backed by UK-based investor Argo Capital Management, has acquired broadband services provider Vivodi Telecom.
ITALY - Stirling Square-backed Sicurglobal acquires Mega Italia
Security specialist Sicurglobal, controlled by UK-based private equity house Stirling Square Capital Partners, has acquired security system integration firm Mega Italia.
FRANCE - N.I Partners-backed CBM employees go on strike
Employees at NI Partners-backed CBM (Car and Bus Maintenance) have gone on strike demanding the reinstatement of Alain Fauconnet, the company manager recently dismissed by the private equity investor.
UK - LDC-backed British Salt sells gas facility to EDF
LDC-backed salt producer British Salt is reportedly to announce the sale of its gas storage facility to EDF Energy, for a price thought to be in the region of £90m.
UK - Electra-backed Vasanta to secure new PE backing
Electra Partners-backed Vasanta Group, one of Britain's largest provider of office supplies, has reportedly said it is close to securing new private equity backing, which could save the company from administration.
ITALY - Cape Natixis-backed Garioni acquires 55% stake in CCM
Cape-backed boiler manufacturer La Garioni Naval di Castel Mella has acquired a 55% stake in industrial group CCM. The deal was carried out from Garioni's balance sheet.
FRANCE - IDI- and BV Capital-backed Hi-Media acquires AdLINK
IDI- and BV Capital-backed internet business Hi-Media has acquired AdLINK Media, the display advertising network of Germany-based AdLINK Internet Media AG.
SWEDEN - Nordic Capital-backed Thule divests US towing operations
Nordic Capital-backed Thule, a provider of sports and utility transportation equipment, has divested its North American towing systems operations, including the brand Valley, through a management buy-out.
UK- Apax-backed Emap to cut 35 jobs
Apax-backed Emap is reportedly to cut 35 jobs in its magazines division, Emap Inform, as part of a restructuring of the unit, which is home to titles including Retail Week and Broadcast.
GERMANY - JC Flowers-backed Hypo prepares for profit plunge
Hard-hit real estate lender Hypo Real Estate, which is backed by US buyout house JC Flowers, has announced that profits are likely to see a "high three digit million" decrease in the second quarter of 2009 amidst a weakening real estate loan market.
SPAIN - Carlyle-backed Applus+ acquires two companies
Carlyle-backed certification group Applus+ has acquired two companies: France-based Contrôles Techniques Services (CTS) and Ekopol, based in Poland.
UK - CVC- and TPG-backed Debenhams plans £400m capital raising
CVC Capital Partners and TPG-backed UK retailer Debenhams is reportedly planning a £400m capital raising through a placing of shares to slash its £1bn debt pile.
SPAIN - 3i-backed Boomerang TV acquires 3Koma
3i-backed broadcasting group Boomerang TV has acquired Basque television content producer 3Koma for an undisclosed sum.
UK - Trade bodies request govt-backed VC fund-of-funds
Venture capital, biotechnology and IT trade bodies have sent a proposal to Lord Mandelson detailing the need for a new £750m government-sponsored fund-of-funds to support the declining venture capital industry.