Consumer

UK - MEP to sell MFI to management

Reports suggest that Merchant Equity Partners-backed kitchen and bathroom retailer MFI Retail Ltd is to be bought back by its management team for around ТЃ25m, saving it from collapse.

Greasing the wheels

Fund administration providers offer a compelling service but their low penetration of the market suggests they still have much work to do to convince private equity firms of their benefits. By Nathan Williams

SPAIN - Close Brothers acquires Atlas Capital

Corporate finance firm Close Brothers has acquired the remaining 55% stake in Atlas Capital Investment Bankers from the management for an undisclosed sum. The business will be re-branded Atlas Capital Close Brothers.

Trouble brewing

Although there are signs that France is navigating the credit crunch, with the major French lenders still active, there is pain to come as portfolio companies struggle to avoid defaults, writes Nathan Williams

UK - Duke Street to pay for pension deficit

Duke Street Capital has been forced by the Pensions Regulator to inject ТЃ8m into the defined benefit scheme of retailer Focus DIY over a year after the private equity firm sold the business to Ceberus Capital Management.

Pensions Regulator oversteps the mark

The news that Duke Street Capital has been forced by the Pensions Regulator to inject ТЃ8m into the defined benefit scheme of DIY retailer Focus more than a year after the private equity firm sold the business should confirm the worst fears of the industry....

SPAIN - Cortefiel circled by distressed funds

According to reports, distressed debt funds are seeking to purchase some of the debt held by retailer Cortefiel, owned by Permira, CVC and PAI Partners, which is now trading at 42% of face value.

UK - Endless acquires Crown Paints

Turnaround specialist Endless has announced the acquisition of paint producer Crown Paints from Dutch company AkzoNobel in a management buyout reported to be worth in the region of ТЃ70m.

UK - Woolworths rejects Baugur

Retail chain Woolworths has rejected an offer by Baugur, which holds 10% of the group's shares, to break up the group and acquire its stores.

PORTUGAL - Inter-Risco completes EUR 20m Frissul acquisition

Inter-Risco has announced the acquisition of logistics business Frissul Group in a deal valued at approximately EUR 20m. The deal was carried out through the newco, Cold Land SGPS SA, in which Inter-Risco holds an 80% stake and InovCapital the remaining...

Hard landing

The horror stories surrounding the commercial airline industry disguise a thriving sub-sector where opportunities for private equity abound. By Nathan Williams