Pan-European investors circle Ahold España

Apax Partners, CVC Capital Partners and Permira are thought to be assessing the acquisition of Ahold España, the Spanish arm of the Dutch distribution giant, Ahold, in a deal which could reach some E500m. Apax already has experience in the sector, having led the acquisition of Carrefour's optical chains in Spain and France last year. In the same vein, CVC invested in the supermarket group El Ãrbol (October 2002, page 21), whilst Carlos Malló, head of Permira Espana, was involved in the Continente deal. However, the private equity houses could potentially be pitting themselves against powerful sector buyers, such as El Corté Inglés, Caprabo, Dia or Superdiplo. Ahold acquired the supermarket chain Superdiplo in 2000 from Vista Capital de Expansión.

• Tweet  
• Facebook  
• LinkedIn  
• Google plus  
• Send to  

• Topics
• Southern Europe