CEE
CEE - DBG acquires Tomplast
It is widely reported that DBG Eastern Europe, a Central and Eastern Europe focused private equity firm, has acquired 100% stake in Slovenian plastic components producer Tomplast. Mark Stemberger has led the MBI team that partnered with DBG in the transaction....
CEE - BAF acquires Bulgarian ice cream company Darko
It is reported in Bulgarian newspaper Dnevnik that Balkan Accession Fund (BAF) has acquired a majority stake in Bulgaria's second biggest ice cream producer Darko. Company owner Petar Tsvetkov will retain all managerial functions and a minority stake...
EUROPE - EVCA defends private equity at European Parliament Forum
At the European Parliament’s Financial Services Forum last night, EVCA secretary general, Javier Echarri, strongly defended the role and wider function of Private Equity. “Those who demonise Private Equity should consider the law of unintended consequences...
EUROPE - EVCA changes address
EVCA (the European Private Equity & Venture Capital Association) moves to the centre of Brussels, close to the Parliament and Commission offices, at the end of this week. EVCA’s new address will be: Bastion Tower Place du Champ de Mars, 5 1050 BRUSSELS....
EUROPE - H1 buyout deal volume up in UK and France, down in Germany
Buyout deal volume in France and the UK in H1 2007 was up on the figures for both 2005 and 2006, although German volume has slowed this year against 06. According to preliminary data from Unquote"/Private Equity Insight, 102 deals have been completed...
EUROPE - No end in sight for large buyouts
”Deal sizes are increasing more quickly than fund sizes,” said John Barber, managing partner at Citi Private Equity at a luncheon today. Though more prevalent in the US than in Europe, the phenomenon should allow the record fundraisings to find suitable...
CEE - MCI Management invests in Geewa
MCI Management, a Polish-listed venture capital company has invested EUR 1.5m in Czech online games software developer Geewa.
GLOBAL - KKR to float
KKR is to follow in the steps of its rival Blackstone by floating on the New York Stock Exchange. KKR filed an initial public offering registration with the SEC on Tuesday and will seek to raise $1.25bn in new capital from the flotation. However, unlike...
CEE – Mid Europa buys Lux-Med from Cornerstone-led consortium
Dedicated Central European investor Mid Europa Partners has wholly acquired Polish healthcare provider Lux-Med from its incumbent backers, Cornerstone Partners, Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH and Accession Mezzanine Capital. The...
POLAND – Krokus acquires Transsystem
Krokus Private Equity has acquired a 70% stake in Polish technological transportation system manufacturer Transsystem. Founded in 1991, the company is based near Rzeszow and posted revenues last year of EUR 40m. As a result of the deal, Krokus will assume...
GLOBAL - GE chairman keeps the pressure on private equity
In comments to the UK press, Jeffrey Immelt, the chairman of GE, has added his voice to the sceptical chorus surrounding private equity in recent months. His argument is based on a critique of the industry that sounded like the idiots guide to a buyout...
GLOBAL - $48.5bn deal for BCE the largest ever
The investment arm of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, Teachers Private Capital, has joined forces with Providence Equity Partners and Madison Dearborn Partners to acquire BCE, Canada's largest telecom group. The $48.5bn price-tag will make it the...
CEE - Mid Europa Partners completes first ever leveraged buyout in Serbia
Mid Europa Partners has acquired a controlling stake in Serbia Broadband (SBB) from SEEF I fund, managed by Bedminster Capital Management. The deal represented the first leveraged buyout in Serbia.
BULGARIA - GED acquires FAMA
Spanish private equity management company GED has acquired Bulgarian dairy company FAMA. The transaction value has not been disclosed. GED has is to incorporate a new management team including Julio Muñoz, the former general manager of the Spanish dairy...
BALTIC - Otaris Eko Fonds invests EUR 300,000 in Livonia Print
JSC Eko Investors venture capital fund Otaris Eko Funds has acquired 35% of LLC Livonia Print for EUR 300,000. The investment will be used to establish the most modern book printing house in Latvia that will service customers in the Baltics, Scandinavia...
EUROPE - Schühsler replaces Loizaga as EVCA chairman
TVM Capital's managing partner Helmut Schühsler was officially elected as EVCA chairman for the period June 2007 to June 2008.
EUROPE - EVCA defiant on difficult day for private equity
The mood at the EVCA Symposium held in Rome today was defiant. On the day that the BVCA CEO stepped down the voices on this side of the Channel were clear: "Politicians should be careful what they wish for," warned Philippe Costeletos from Texas Pacific...
EUROPE - EVCA to change its set-up
The European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EVCA) today announced at its annual conference in Rome that it is to become an umbrella for three independent groups dealing with large buy-out houses, mid-market buy-out companies and venture...
EUROPE - EVCA stats show record 2006 fundraising and investment
Final figures for European private equity activity and performance were announced by EVCA today, confirming a booming buyout industry and continued UK dominance. The figures also showed something of a revival for European venture, with €17bn allocated...
BALTIC - BaltCap attracts Catella Private Equity to finance expansion for Intrac
Intrac, a supplier of tracked and wheeled machines for forestry, material handling and earthmoving in the Baltic States, has attracted Catella Private Equity as an investor to fund further expansion. Catella Private Equity will become a shareholder through...
BALTIC - BaltCap exits ZetCOM
BaltCap has sold its minority position in ZetCOM to Latvijas Mobilias Telefons Ltd. BaltCap invested in ZetCOM in 2005 to be part of the heavily growing telecom market in the region.
ROMANIA - Kandia exits Kandia Excelent
Following a dual-track process, Kandia NV, the private equity investment holding company managed by Meinl Bank AG, has sold its 93.32% stake in listed Romanian confectionery company Kandia-Excelent to Cadbury Schweppes. The financial investor opted for...
CEE - Warburg Pincus in $100m financing round for IMB
Warburg Pincus has participated in a $100m equity financing round for IMB Group Public Ltd, the Ukraine's leading consumer lender. Warburg Pincus contributed $43.8m, with the balance of the investment committed by existing investors Horizon Capital, East...
CZECH REPUBLIC - Advent opens Prague office
Advent International has announced the opening of its Prague office, led by Chris Mruck. From this office, Advent will cover investment in the Czech and Slovak Republics and Hungary. With offices in Warsaw and Bucharest, this latest opening sees Advent...