Region
Unquote has a long history of delivering in-depth coverage for each European market, from individual deals to fundraising and region-specific trend analysis. Click on the following links to access content for a specific region:
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GERMANY - BayBG invests in B2B online retailer
BayBG Bayerische Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH has invested EUR 1m in Mercateo AG. The new capital will be used to further develop and optimise the company’s software. For this purpose it will employ 10 new software developers.
BELGIUM - Godiva draws private equity interest
Private equity houses are reported to be interested in Godiva Chocolatier following Campbell Soup Company 's announcement that it will explore strategic alternatives. Campbell has hired Centerview Partners LLC as its financial advisor.
CEE – ING appoints heads of leveraged finance, high yield
ING Wholesale Banking has appointed Martijn Bruins as head of leveraged finance and sponsor coverage for Central & Eastern Europe. Based in London, Bruins began his new role on Monday. He has been with ING since 1992, most recently as managing director...
FRANCE - PAI to sell Yoplait
French large-cap private equity firm PAI partners is reportedly considering divesting dairy products company Yoplait.
IRELAND - Amadeus, Balderton and Spark invest $17.75m in Intune Networks
Amadeus Capital Partners, Balderton Capital and Spark Capital have led a $17.75m investment in Intune Networks, a developer of technology for telecommunications networks. 3i and ICC Venture Capital are existing shareholders in the company having invested...
FRANCE - UI Gestion backs F2A's secondary buyout
UI Gestion has acquired a majority stake in ventilation equipment manufacturer F2A, previously backed by Finadvance and Ciclad.
SWEDEN - SVCA attends Swedish political seminar
The SVCA contributed to the annual political seminar, Almedals Veckan, in Sweden. The event, which a number of different political parties attended, was held in Gotland.
SPAIN – Clave Mayor leads buyout of Natural Food
Clave Mayor has wholly acquired Natural Food alongside industrial backer George Stravrakakis.
UK - Inflexion refinances Ilchester Cheese Company
Inflexion Private Equity has refinanced its portfolio company Ilchester Cheese Company, a Somerset-based producer of blended cheese. Lloyds TSB provided the ТЃ5m debt and working capital facility for the refinancing.
ITALY –Investitori Associati joins the pack of suitors for CIT
Struggling travel business CIT has received the interest of six buyers so far. The company – which is nearing liquidation, with losses reportedly surpassing EUR 150m – aims to find a buyer by the end of September.
UK - Blackstones quits plans to delist FKI
Blackstone has ended talks with engineering group FKI about a possible ТЃ768m take-private deal. The London-listed group announced that it was in contact with a suitor in May this year.
FRANCE - Eurazeo and its LPs invest EUR 500m equity in Elis deal
French buyout house Eurazeo and Eurazeo Co-Investment Partners (ECIP) provided around EUR 500m in equity out of a total transaction value of EUR 2.28bn for the tertiary buyout of textile rental business Elis.
UK - Modus completes second deal with £11.4m development capital investment
Modus Private Equity has backed insurance administrator Fish Administration Ltd with ТЃ11.4m of development capital. The deal represents MPE's second since being set up 12 months ago by Paul Newton, Mike Rogan, Paul Hogarth and Brendan Flood.
CEE - Penta is interested in Polish press kiosk chain Ruch
It is widely reported that Penta Group is considering making a bid for Ruch, a Polish press kiosk chain. The Polish Treasury, which sold a minority stake in the company last year, plans to sell a 50% stake plus one share.
GERMANY – Burda Digital Ventures invests in Tripsbytips.com
Burda Digital Ventures has acquired a minority stake in German online community Tripsbytips.com. The transaction value has not been disclosed.
UK - Entries due by Friday for the the unquote" Awards
The deadline for the unquoteт Private Equity Awards 2007 is THIS FRIDAY, 10 August. The event will be held on 28 November at The Royal Horticultural Halls in London, SW1P. Now in its third year, the evening brings together more than 500 industry professionals...
UK - Index leads $30m round for Viagogo
Index Ventures has led a $30m funding round for Viagogo, bringing its total venture backing so far to $50m. The company is an online ticket reseller. A number of private investors have also contributed to the fundraising round. Viagogo intends to break...
UK - Virgin Media auction delayed
The auction that would see Virgin Media taken private has reportedly been delayed. The communications group cited turbulence in the debt markets as the reason for the postponement. A deal may not now complete until early 2008.
UK - Morgan Stanley appoints Brian Magnus as joint European chief of $6bn buyout fund
Morgan Stanley has announced that Brian Magnus, its UK head of investment banking, is to join Graham Keniston-Cooper as joint European chief of its new buyout fund. The bank is planning a $6bn fund after a five year holiday from the buyout market - its...
SWEDEN - Apax sells Global Refund to BPE for over EUR 360m
Apax Partners has sold Global Refund, a Swedish VAT refund service, to Barclays Private Equity for a sum in excess of EUR 360m. As part of the transaction, the management team will continue to be shareholders in the company.
SWEDEN - EQT is expected to list Duni despite market shake up
There is mounting speculation that EQT portfolio company Duni AB, the Swedish producer of high quality products for the catering and service industry will be floated. EQT has held Duni since 2001. According to press reports Duni has struggled to get on...
RUSSIA - Lion Capital acquires Nidan
Lion Capital has reached an agreement with the shareholders of Nidan Soki to acquire the Russian branded juice business. The transaction, which is conditional upon regulatory approval, is expected to close in September. Nidan was advised by Troika Dialog,...
UK - West Coast Capital has three days to make rival offer for Dobbies
West Coast Capital has been given three days by the Takeover Panel to make a rival offer for Dobbies. The Scottish gardening chain is currently the subject of a ТЃ15 per share recommended bid by Tesco. The UK retailing giant owns 32% of the shares with...
UK - Private equity set to reclaim struggling Esporta
Esporta is reported to be on the brink of going into administration. The gym chain was acquired by the Halabi family trust from Duke Street Capital in November 2006 for an undisclosed sum. It is understood debt worth ТЃ330m involved in Halabi's takeover...