France
FRANCE - CDC CI acquires 66% of Feu Vert
CDC Capital Investissement has acquired 66% of Cofidim, a holding comprising car servicing business Feu Vert, spare parts distributor Impex, and windshield repair company Mondiale Par-Brise.
FRANCE - Sofinnova and Ventech invest EUR 6.5m in new music standard
Sofinnova Partners and Ventech have invested in the fist round of funding in MXP4, a start-up which has created technology allowing artists to create non-linear, interactive music.
FRANCE - Candidates prepare bids for Saur
LBO France, Terra Firma, AXA Private Equity and Eurazeo are said to mulling bids for water utility company Saur, according to reports in the French press.
FRANCE - CDC Capital Investissement hires three investors
CDC Capital Investissement (CDC CI) has poached three new investors from Sigefi, Ernst & Young and Natexis Investissement Partners.
FRANCE - AtriA sells Clextral to Legris Industries
AtriA Capital Partenaires has sold its 43% stake in extrusion equipment manufacturer Clextral, to Chequers-backed Legris Indutries.
FRANCE - IPO invests EUR 700,000 in Armor Panneaux
The Institut de Participation de l'Ouest (IPO) has invested EUR 700,000 in Armor Panneaux, a Brittany-based manufacturer of composite pannels layered with polyester.
FRANCE - Emertec generates at least 88% IRR and >3x on latest sale
Grenoble-based Emertec Gestion has generated an IRR of 88% and a money multiple in excess of 3x, following the sale of Eco Alternative to a large industrial company.
FRANCE - Barclays Private Equity sells Laho to Loxam
Barclays Private Equity has sold construction equipment rental business, acquired in a tertiary buyout in 2005, to Loxam, the market leader in this sector, itself the subject of three successive buyouts.
FRANCE - Edmond de Rothschild Capital Partners makes over 3x from Bonpoint sale
Edmond de Rothschild Capital Partners (ERCP) has generated a money multiple of more than 3x from the sale of luxury children's wear brand Bonpoint to EPI, the investment holding of the Descours family, six months after a EUR 24m refinancing allowed the...
FRANCE - AFIC study explains positive social impact of LBOs
A study published today by the French private equity and venture capital association AFIC and accountancy firm Constantin Associés lays out statistics aimed at convincing the country's LBO critics of the industry's social benefits.
FRANCE - Cabinet Bremont strengthens legal and turnaround teams
Law firm Cabinet Bremont has hired Virginie Verfaille-Chavaux and Dimitri Sonier to boost its legal and turnaround teams.
FRANCE - CAPE invests in Environnement Conseil Travaux
Crédit Agricole Private Equity has made a growth capital investment in ECT, a company which stock industrial waste and treats polluted grounds.
FRANCE - Eurazeo-backer Europcar buys Vanguard EMEA for EUR 670m
Eurazeo’s portfolio company Europcar has acquired Vanguard EMEA, the European activities of US-based Vanguard, for EUR 670m.
FRANCE - Apax backs OBO of Royer Group
Apax Partners has acquired a significant minority stake in shoes distributor Royer Group.
FRANCE - Albert Frère anticipates KKR bid for Lafarge
Belgian billionnaire Albert Frère will increase his stake in heavy construction equipment manufacturer Lafarge to 20% over the course of 2007, in order to prevent a takeover by KKR or by rivals Cemex and Holcim, according to reports in the French press.
GERMANY/FRANCE - Germany and France to become top destinations for PE funds
According to a study published on Monday by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Germany and France are shaping up as the top destination for private equity funds over the next five years. Out of 98 mainly European fund managers based outside Germany, 39% indicated...
FRANCE - Eurazeo sells portfolio valued at $214m to AIGGIG
In line with its previously announced strategy of selling its 3rd party commitments in favour of larger direct investments, Eurazeo has sold a portfolio of interests in 28 private equity funds, to AIG Global Investment Group.
FRANCE - France claims European crown for biotech and pharma
In 2006, French biotech and pharmaceutical companies attracted more venture money than those of any other European country, according to data compiled by unquote".
FRANCE - Rexel begins IPO process
Private equity-backed electrical equipment manufacturer Rexel yesterday applied for listing with the Authorité de Marchés Financiers, just over two years after it was de-listed by Eurazeo.
FRANCE - Neuf Cegetal buys venture-backed Erenis
French telecom business Neuf Cegetal announced today it had agreed to acquire Erenis, a telephony and internet services provider backed by Iris Capital, AGF Private Equity, Credit Agricole Private Equity, Net Partner and CDC.
GLOBAL - Bear Stearns acquires private equity placement agent
Bear Stearns has strengthened its private equity fundraising services with the acquisition of Crane Capital Associates’s fund placement business.
FRANCE - Bryan, Garnier & Co appoints new hardware and telecommunications director
European investment bank Bryan, Garnier & Co has announced the appointment of Olivier Beaudouin as a director in charge of hardware and telecommunications.
FRANCE - BNP Paribas Développement takes 15% of Matel Group
BNP Paribas Développement has acquired a 15% stake in Matel Group, a supplier of products for manufacturers of luminous signs.
FRANCE - Barclays Private Equity takes minority stake in scaffolding business
According to market sources, Barclays Private Equity has taken a minority stake in Entrepose-Echafaudages, in a secondary 'owner buyout'.