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:
UK & Ireland DACH Nordic France Southern Europe Benelux CEE
SPAIN - Highgrowth invests in Solostocks
Fonsinnocat, the closed-end fund managed by Highgrowth Partners, has purchased a 10% stake in online stock shop SoloStocks for an undisclosed sum. Internet advertising group Intercom owns 80% of the company, while its managers hold the remaining 10%.
GERMANY – Francotyp-Postalia to float
The German mailing systems solutions company Francotyp-Postalia is to raise up to EUR 191m on the German Prime Standard. The book-building range has been set between EUR 18-22.5, and shares are particularly aimed at institutional investors.
UK - Baird Capital Partners Europe generates 3.5x return on Traffic Support exit
Baird Capital Partners Europe has realised its investment in Traffic Support Ltd, the innovative parking enforcement solutions company. Mouchel Parkman, the integrated support services company, has acquired the business for £21.5m. Added to a £4.8m...
GERMANY – Bridgepoint aims for the Mittelstand
Bridgepoint has declared it is willing to acquire three to five Mittelstand companies in the coming months. The transactions are expected to be in the range of EUR 200m to EUR 750m.
UK - Barclays Private Equity's Your Move to float
Estate agency and surveying business LSL Property Services, formerly known as Your Move and held by Barclays Private Equity is planning a £221m IPO.
UK - Duke Street Capital exits Esporta
Duke Street Capital has realised its investment in Esporta. The racquets and country club focused sports chain has been acquired by the Halabi family trust through an auction process for an undisclosed sum.
FRANCE - Siparex backs the buyouts of two contruction suppliers
Sigefi Private Equity (of the Siparex group) has backed the buyout of siding and roofing steel accessories manufacturer Comat, and of pre-insulated pipes maker Solice.
GERMANY – Heliad invests in money and securities services
Heliad Equity Partners has taken a 49% stake in Unicorn Geld- und Wertdienstleistungen GmbH. The financial investor provided EUR 5m in equity capital and a partner loan. The company's management holds the balance.
SPAIN - Javier Faus launches private equity firm specialised in the hotel sector
Javier Faus, the frontman of Patron Capital, is reportedly launching a private equity firm focused on the hotel sector. Based in Barcelona, the new firm, Capital Meridia, will invest in luxury hotels and has already raised EUR 150m to kickstart its operations....
SPAIN - Apax and Capital Hemisferio to float Vueling
According to press reports, low-cost airline Vueling is due to float 39% of its capital in the stock exchange in the next few days. The bidding period will run from November 17 - 29. The company's main shareholders, Apax Partners and Capital Hemisferio,...
FRANCE - LFPI backs the management buy-in of Holtex
LFPI has taken an 85% stake in medical equipment company Holtex, via its fund LFPI Croissance. LCL underwrote the senior debt package.
UK - Bank of Scotland Corporate exits Paymentshield
Bank of Scotland Corporate has realised its investment in Paymentshield Ltd, a supplier of general insurance products to the mortgage intermediary sector. The value of the deal has not been disclosed although it is known that Bank of Scotland Corporate...
GERMANY – Timeline set for the German private equity law
The Federal Ministry of Finance has announced that it aims to have a bill drafted by the cabinet by the middle of next year. This means that the new legislation is on course to come into force in 2008. The new legislation is highly anticipated as it will...
UK - Quester appoints Sergio Levi as director
Quester has appointed Sergio Levi as a director. Levi first joined Quester's ICT team in January 2006, specialising in investments in the semiconductor and electronics sector. As a director, he will be responsible for sourcing, implementing and managing...
UK - Apax exits The Stationary Office
Apax Partners has realised its investment in The Stationary Office (TSO). Britain's largest publisher by volume, which has many high profile contracts with the public sector, has been acquired by corporate information solution provider William Lea, itself...
FRANCE - Truffle Venture hires fresh talent
Paris-based Truffle Venture has recruited an energy specialist and a new financial controller.
FRANCE - AXA Private equity wins Keolis exclusivity
Following a UBS-run limited auction, France's state rail group SNCF has selected AXA Private equity to buy 55% of public transport management company Keolis.
FRANCE - Barclays Private Equity profits from 21 Centrale's withdrawal from Apem
21 Centrale Partners has withdrawn its offer to acquire electrical switch maker Apem, citing concerns stemming from due diligence work.
POLAND - Enterprise Investors exit PEP on the Warsaw Stock Exchange
Enterprise Investors have sold their remaining stake in Polish Energy Partners (PEP) on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. This sale completes the exit of the financial investor from PEP after taking it private in 2005.
UK - Amadeus portfolio company agrees $600m merger
Solexa Inc, an Amadeus portfolio company formerly headquartered in Cambridge but now primarily based in California, has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Illumina Inc. Illumina will acquire all Solexa shares in a stock-for-stock transaction...
UK - Barclays Ventures supports £30m management buy-in
Barclays Ventures has backed a simultaneous £30m management buy-in of Amwell Systems and Twyford Bushboard. The combined businesses create the UK’s leading independent designer, manufacturer, supplier and installer of both traditional washroom systems...
SWEDEN - Priveq invests in ByggPartner
Priveq has invested in construction contractor ByggPartner and the transaction represents the first step towards an IPO. Following the investment, Priveq Investment will have an equity holding of some 40% and its current partners, led by CEO Bo Olsson,...
AUSTRIA - Private equity group expected to bid for BAWAG
Austria's fourth largest bank in terms of volume of assets, BAWAG, is expected to receive offers from at least four financial and trade buyers. Morgan Stanley has been appointed to run the auction process. Expected bidders are Austrian banks Raiffeisen...
UK - Baker Tilly's corporate finance team continues to expand
Baker Tilly has strengthened its national corporate finance team with the appointment of three new partners. Kirsty Sandwell, Alistair Hynd and Angela Toner join as partners taking Baker Tilly’s total number of corporate finance partners to 27. Sandwell,...