Southern Europe
SPAIN –Carlyle and Vista-owned Orizonia approches Globalia
It is believed that Carlyle and Vista-owned tour-operator group Orizonia has approached Globalia with a buyout offer.
SPAIN – CVC-controlled franchise to enter UK market
CVC-controlled franchise Cañas y Tapas will open its first UK restaurant in Leicester. The franchise, part of grupo Zena, will open another five restaurants in Liverpool, Birmingham and London.
WORLD - Warburg Pincus closes $15bn fund
Warburg Pincus has closed its latest fund, Warburg Pincus Private Equity X on $15bn. The fund has a broad investment remit focusing on early-stage investments through to buyouts and special situations.
SPAIN – Riva y García backs sportsware firm
Riva y García has invested in sportswear company Kelme in a deal valued at approximately EUR 14m.
ITALY – Advent-backed Venere signs Chinese deal
Advent-backed travel and accommodation operator Venere.com has signed an agreement with Chinese travel group Derbysoft, granting the travel agencies in Derbysoft's portfolio access to the services and offers available through Venere.com.
SPAIN – N+1 acquires logistics firm
N+1 has acquired an 84% stake in logistics firm Bestin in a deal valued at EUR 26.8m. EUR 13.4m was provided in the form of a capital expansion and the other half as a participatory loan.
SPAIN – Suma Capital acquires engineering firm
Suma Capital has completed the acquisition of a 75% stake in engineering consulting firm Auding in a management buyout. The management team hold the balance of the shares.
SPAIN – Carlyle-backed Applus+ to certify helicopters
Carlyle-backed Applus+ will expand its business with its entry into Inaer, a company specialising in the certification of helicopters.
ITALY – Investitori-backed Kedrion to float
It is understood that Kedrion, a major manufacturer of plasma derivatives in Italy, 40% owned by Investitori Associaciti IV, has filed for a listing on the Star segment of the Milan stock exchange.
SPAIN – Doughty Hanson acquires transport firm
According to reports, Doughty Hanson-controlled transport group Avanza has reached an agreement to acquire regional bus operators Alosa.
WORLD - CVC closes $4.1bn Asia Pacific Fund
CVC Capital Partners has closed its third fund dedicated to investments in the Asia Pacific region, CVC Capital Partners Asia Pacific III, on $4.1bn. It is the biggest ever private equity fund raised in the region.
SPAIN – 3i acquires minority stake in Unión Radio
3i has acquired a significant minority stake in Hispanic radio operator Unión Radio. The deal was carried out via a private placement and capital increase with an initial investment of EUR 125m, out of total commitment of EUR 225m.
SPAIN – Grupo Zriser backs renewable energy player
Grupo Zriser has acquired a 5.38% stake in photovoltaic cell manufacturer Siliken in a deal valued at EUR 65m.
ITALY - ACP Capital to launch renewable energy fund
ACP Capital has the launch of a dedicated renewable energy assets fund. The vehicle will focus on the acquisition and development of renewable energy companies in Italy and Southern Europe.
SPAIN – Riverstone joins bid for energy player CLH
According to reports US-based Riverstone has joined the bidding for Enbridge's 25% stake in pipeline network managing firm CLH, which has been valued at EUR 900m. Citibank is running the auction.
SPAIN – N+1 to launch a EUR 300m special situations fund
It is believed that N+1 could launch Spain’s first special situations fund later this year, targeting EUR 300m.
ITALY – Ferretti could float this year
According to reports, Candover and Permira are considering listing Italian luxury yacht company Ferretti on the Milan stock exchange later this year.
SPAIN – Artá Capital gets go ahead
The CNMV has granted Arta Capital the green light to commence operating.
ITALY – Simmons poaches Lovells partner
Lovells' Italian private equity head Andrea Accornero will leave the firm at the end of the month to join Simmons & Simmons' Milan office.
ITALY – Venture capital fund for start-up SMEs
Simest has signed an agreement with BNL, part of BNP Paribas, to manage a fund targeting SMEs in the start-up phase wishing to internationalize outside the EU.
SPAIN – Mercapital readies acquisition of engineering firm
According to reports Mercapital is finalising a majority stake acquisition in Obras Subterraneas (Ossa) which it has valued at over EUR 200m.
List-en to my fund
Listed funds suffered badly on the back of the liquidity crisis and negative press in 2007, with wide discounts the norm. Could investors be missing a trick or is there good reason to shy away?
Infra a shock
The liquidity bubble came to define the term infrastructure and gave a false picture of market depth. Private equity firms’ keen on snatching a piece of the infrastructure pie should be warned: there may not be enough to go around.