Southern Europe
SPAIN - Advent looks at exit opportunities for Parques Reunidos
According to reports in the Spanish press, Advent International has hired investment bank UBS and M&A boutique Socios Financieros to find a a new financial partner for its portfolio company Parques Reunidos. Both advisers are looking at strategic options...
ITALY - Candover is the most probable buyer for Ferretti
After months of speculation about the future of Ferretti, it seems that the luxury yatch group is set to be acquired by Candover. Market sources suggest that the UK buyout house is in final talks with Permira, majority shareholder with a 70% stake. Although...
ITALY - MPS Venture et al acquire 30% stake in Gruppo SDN
MPS Venture SGR, coinvesting with Centrobanca Sviluppo Impresa and Sanpaolo IMI Investimenti per lo Sviluppo SGR has signed an agreement to acquire a 30% shareholding in Gruppo SDN. The deal value has not been disclosed. Naples-based Gruppo SDN provides...
SPAIN - 3i-backed company buys clinical analysis chain
3i's portfolio company Sampletest has purchased Sabater Tobella, one of the largest clinical analysis laboratories chains in Spain. The deal value was not disclosed. The private equity firm acquired a stake of 58% of Luso-Hispanic Sampletest in 2004....
SPAIN - TA Associates ready to pay EUR 100m for eDreams
According to press reports, US private equity house TA Associates is set to pay EUR 100m for 100% of the shares in Internet-based travel agency eDreams. A majority stake of 55% is currently owned by a group of 70 investors, including the bank Santander...
SPAIN - Catalana d'Iniciatives takes 25% in biodesel business for EUR 10.5m
Private equity house Catalana d'Iniciatives has taken a participation of 25% in Bioenergética Extremeña for EUR 10.5m. The remaining stake was split between the Hinojosa-Vacas, Bigeriego and Espinosa de los Monteros families, which have diluted their...
ITALY - Sanpaolo IMI Fondi Chiusi acquires shareholding in Blumen
Fund Centro Impresa, managed by Sanpaolo IMI Fondi Chiusi, has invested EUR 3m in return for a 32% stake in Blumen, a retailer of home and garden appliances. Blumen is based in Piacenza and had returns of EUR 15m last year. The business plan includes...
SPAIN - Baring acquires stake in Boniquet-Sparchim
Baring Private Equity Partners (BPEP), has acquired a minority stake in Laboratorios Boniquet-Sparchim. The consideration of the deal, in which Invercartera (Caixa Catalunya's private equity arm) has also invested, has not been disclosed. Boniquet-Sparchim...
ITALY - Argos Soditic strenghtens its Italian team
Private equity firm Argos Soditic has announced the appointments of Mirco Dilda and Jean Pierre Di Benedetto. The two professionals, formerly from BPM Private Equity and JP Morgan respectively, will join the Matteo Carlotti as partners at the Italian...
SPAIN - Corpfin Capital buys majority stake in Alfe for EUR 30m
Corpfin Capital has recently acquired a participation of 56% in the capital of rental equipment company Alfe Grupo Empresarial for EUR 30m. The main activity of Alfe is the rental of machinery and equipment for both civil engineering and construction...
ITALY - BS Private Equity backs acquisition of Megatel and Gigatel
Mobile telephony retailer MIT Group, backed by BS Private Equity, has agreed to buy sector players Megatel and Gigatel for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition of the two companies is part of the development strategy of MIT, especially focused on growth...
SPAIN - Qualitas backs acquisition of Garnica Plywood
Private equity house Qualitas Equity Partners has acquired the entire shareholding in plywood distributor Garnica Plywood alongside its management team in a deal of undisclosed value. The growth route for the La Rioja-based company encompasses the acquisition...
SPAIN - Avanza attracts private equity interest
Several private equity firms and industrial players are interested in acquiring transport group Avanza. It is rumoured that Dougthy Hanson, Advent International and Apax Partners are among the possible private equity bidders. One of the prospective purchasers...
ITALY - SG Capital buys majority stake in Co.Import
SG Capital Europe has agreed to purchase 80% of Co.Import, a retailer of accessories and small home furnishings, from its founding family for EUR 15m. The management is reportedly reinvesting EUR 3m for the remaining stake. Co.Import owns a network of...
SPAIN - All eyes on Mercapital's Occidental Hoteles
Press reports suggest that Mercapital is in advanced negotiations to finally sell its 29.5% shareholding in Occidental Hoteles. The chains Barceló, Sol Meliá and NH Hoteles have already submitted offers and the deal is likely to be completed before...
SPAIN - Ricari to expand its portfolio in La Rioja region
Following fast economic growth in the Spanish region of Rioja, private equity firm Ricari is looking to expand its portfolio of locally-based companies in which to participate as a financial partner or strategic ally.
SPAIN - Valcapital backs Suavitas
According to newspaper La Gaceta, private equity firm Valcapital has purchased a stake in the laser depilatory business Suavitas for EUR 5m. At the moment, Suavitas runs two depilation centers and maintains a business volume inferior to EUR 1m, although...
SPAIN - Arturo Cantoblanco courts 3i's Provimar
Grupo Arturo Cantoblanco is reportedly negotiating the acquisition of Provimar, a service provider to cruise ships and duty free stores, from 3i for EUR 18m. Property of the private equity firm for five years, Provimar reported a turnover of EUR 100m...
ITALY - Blackstone to buy Gardaland from Investindustrial
According to sources, Investindustrial is to sell leisure complex Gardaland to the Blackstone Group for a sum reported to be over EUR 500m. Gardaland is Italy's largest amusement park with approximately 3 million visitors per year and over 250 shareholders....
ITALY - Apollo Management buys Jacuzzi for $ 1.25bn
According to press reports, US firm Apollo Management has agreed to buy Jacuzzi, the manufacturer of baths, showers and hot tubs in a take-private valued at $1.25bn, including $257m in debt.
SPAIN - Atitlan Capital completes its first investment
Private equity firm Atitlan Capital has recently completed its first investment in Dafsa, a company producing juices, soups, broths and creams. The expansion deal is valued at EUR 6m. Atitlan is based in Valencia and it is dedicated to the management...
SPAIN - 3i and Lar to exit Ballesol
Insurance group Santa Lucía is reported to be in advanced negotiations to join the shareholding structure of Ballesol, one of the Spanish market leaders for elderly homes. Ballesol's shareholders, real estate group Lar and 3i, have expressed their intention...
SPAIN - Calvo opens its doors to private equity
The brothers Calvo Pumpido have reportedly given Nmás 1 mandate to find suitable shareholders for their company Calvo. The Galician family owns 77.8% of the business, which is dedicated to fishing, production and sale of canned fish. The remaining stake...
SPAIN - Warburg Pincus acquires stake in Pinar
Real estate group Pinar has sold 18% of its shares to Warburg Pincus for an undisclosed sum. After the transaction, the company's founding family will hold 55% of the company, while other shareholders Caja de Avila and Caja de Segovia will hold a 10%...