Southern Europe
SPAIN - TPG asked for info on Spanish partners to bid for Iberia
Two weeks after Texas Pacific Group requested access to Iberia's books and announced a prospective bid of EUR 3.60 per share, it emerged that the carrier's board refused to let the buyout house perform due diligence unless it provides information about...
SPAIN - AC Desarrollo buys vending machine business
Alongside its management, AC Desarrollo has purchased 99% of vending machine group Demas.
ITALY - Italian buyout arena welcomes new player
Former Arca Impresa Gestioni managers Claudio Albonico and Gianni Gasperi have created a new firm, Mid Equity Partners.
ITALY – Tirrenia set to attract private equity interest
Maritime transport group Tirrenia is likely to attract offers from private equity players when it officially launches its privatisation process in the next few weeks.
SPAIN - Nicola Zambón leaves Investindustrial
Following the recent wave of resignations in the private equity scene in Spain, Nicola Zambón has decided to leave buyout firm Investindustrial.
ITALY - BS Private Equity sells nursing home group
BS Private Equity has sold all its shares in nursing home group Segesta alongside the company's founder and CEO. The buyer is French mental healthcare provider Korian.
SPAIN/UK - Parques Reunidos buys parks in the UK
Candover-owned Parques Reunidos has wholly acquired the Lake District Coast Aquarium, The Blackpool Zoo and The Oceanarium Bournemouth for a total of EUR 15.3m (£ 10.4m).
SPAIN - Nazca makes 53% IRR with sale of tapas chain
Nazca Capital has sold its entire stake in tapas restaurant business Lizarrán Tapas Selectas from Nazca Capital for EUR 22m. The sale has brought an IRR of 53% and a money multiple of 2.3x on the initial investment to the private equity firm. The buyer...
SPAIN - Insiders speak on Nmás1 exodus
An insider at Nmás1 has told unquote” the reasons behind sudden changes at the top of the Spanish buyout house, which has just seen six members of staff leave in the last couple of weeks – in the middle of the firm’s fundraising.
SPAIN - 3i exits electronic systems business for EUR 33m
After a holding period of eight years, 3i has divested the 33% stake it had in Ikusi, a company active in the design, introduction and management of electronic systems. The exit value is EUR 33m and the buyer is the private equity arm of Corporación...
SPAIN/FRANCE - CVC, Cinven and PAI back BAT in Altadis bid
Buyout giants CVC Capital, Cinven and PAI will back a bid by British American Tobacco for the acquisition of Altadis, according to French press reports.
ITALY - Aletti acquires furniture business from Absolute
Aletti Private Equity has acquired a 70% shareholding in furniture business Arketipo from Absolute Ventures in a SBO worth around EUR 20m.
SPAIN - TPG to offer EUR 4bn for Iberia
Texas Pacific Group (TPG) is said to be considering a EUR 4bn bid for Spanish carrier Iberia. However, if the offer goes ahead TPG may face competition from exisiting shareholders Lufthansa and British Airways; the latter is said to be preparing for a...
SPAIN - Nazca to complete sale of tapas chain this week
Press reports suggest that private equity firm Nazca is to complete the sale Lizarrán Tapas Selectas, its tapas restaurant business, to sector player Comess Group this week, for approximately EUR 20m.
SPAIN - Mid-market frenzy for perfumery business
A pool of mid-market players is set to present offers for perfumery business Juteco this week. It is understood that Mercapital, 3i, Nmás1, MCH, Corpfin and Nazca are all competing for the company, worth approximately EUR 100m.
ITALY - AIFI results: EUR 3.7bn invested in Italy in 2006
The Italian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AIFI) released the 2006 results during its annual meeting in Milan yesterday. According to the trade body's statistics, Italy's private equity and venture capital industry saw 292 deals for a...
SPAIN - iNova Capital acquires majority stake in IT business
Private equity firm iNova Capital has purchased a 56% shareholding in IT business Unitronics Comunicaciones, S.A from AlpInvest Partners, Coller Capital and the company's founders. Upon completion of the deal, the remaining shares will be split between...
FRANCE/SPAIN - Altadis attracts private equity buyers
Following the rejection of Imperial Tobacco's £8bn bid last month, three private equity firms have expressed interest in acquiring tobacco company Altadis, according to press reports.
ITALY – AIFI to release 2006 results on Monday
The Italian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AIFI) is to release its 2006 results during its annual conference in Milan.
ITALY - DGPA Capital acquires adhesive label manufacturer
Private equity firm DGPA Capital wholly acquired Mida from a group of local entrepreneurs and private investors for EUR 7.4m. Out of that amount, one third is equity and a debt package provided by Centrobanca represents two thirds of the total deal value.
ITALY - 3i to float Giochi Preziosi in 15 months
According to Italian press reports, toy manufacturer Giochi Preziosi is to list in the Milan Stock Exchange before the end of H1 2008.
ITALY - Stroili Oro gearing up for possible IPO
Market sources suggest that jewellery business Stroili Oro is being groomed for its debut in the Italian Stock Exchange.
SPAIN - Riverside to launch Madrid office
Following the footsteps of other international firms, US private equity group The Riverside Company is to open an office in Madrid.
ITALY - Barclays Private Equity Milan changes address
The Milan branch of Barclays Private Equity has moved to a new office. The new details are as follows: