News/Benelux

EUROPE - EVCA appoints new chairman

At the annual ordinary general assembly of the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EVCA) last night, Javier Loizaga, CEO and Managing Partner of Mercapital, was officially elected as association chairman for the period June 2006 to...

NETHERLANDS - Centaurus increases its stake in Ahold

Centaurus Capital is believed to have increased its stake in supermarket group Ahold. The private equity firm, which until now held a 4% stake (EUR 400m), is not the only investor increasing its stake in the firm. US-based Paulson, for example, is also...

NETHERLANDS - VNU to be delisted on 11 July

Following a tendering of 98.97% of the share capital of VNU, the Valcon consortium has announced that it will commence a squeeze-out procedure to acquire the remaining shares and that it will delist the company on 11 July.

NL- Valcon acquires more than 97% of VNU shares

Valcon Acquisition BV has announced that it has received more than 97% of the share capital of VNU, allowing it to proceed with a squeeze out procedure to acquire all remaining shares and delist the information and media company from Euronext Amsterdam.

NETHERLANDS - Gilde to exit Peijnenburg

Gilde Participaties has announced that it is negotiating the sale of Koninklijke Peijnenburg BV to Lotus Bakeries BV. Koninklijke Peijnenburg is market leader in the Netherlands in the market for gingerbread products.

NETHERLANDS - Fidelity tenders VNU shares

Fidelity has given up its resistance to the EUR 29.50 per share bid by Valcon for VNU and has tendered its shares. It is understood that before this announcement, Fidelity had already reduced its share capital to below 15%.

NETHERLANDS - Bencis acquires Winsol Group

Bencis Capital Partners has reached an agreement to acquire a substantial equity interest in Winsol Group, a producer of PVC and aluminium windows and doors, sun protection systems, rollers shutters, sectional doors and balustrades.

NETHERLANDS - Valcon to buy back VNU debt

Private equity consortium Valcon, which recently declared its EUR 29.50 per share bid for VNU to be unconditional, has now also made an offer for most of VNU's outstanding bonds and notes, worth around EUR 1bn euros.

NETHERLANDS - Unconditional offer for VNU

VNU NV and Valcon Acquisition BV have announced that Valcon declares its public offer for VNU unconditional after 78.70% of VNU's share capital was tendered or committed during the acceptance period that ended Friday, 19 May.

BELGIUM - Carlyle acquires 80% of Transics NV

The Carlyle Group has announced that it has acquired an 80% stake in Transics NV, together with the founders and co-chief executive officers, Walter Mastelinck and Ludwig Lemenu. The transaction signifies the third investment from its European technology...

NL- Knight Vinke to tender its shares

Knight Vinke Asset Management has given up its opposition to the takeover bid for VNU and has tendered its shares in the company. Earlier this month Templeton, owner of approximately 14.7% in the company, signalled its support, easing the way for a successful...

NL- NPM-Capital sells stake in Keesing Group

NPM Capital and management have reportedly agreed to sell all shares in Keesing Group, a Dutch publishing house, to Telegraaf Media Groep for EUR 81.3m. The debt component is understood to be around 40%.

NL- LPs to congregate in Amsterdam

Following the huge success and positive feedback we received from attendees of the Limited Partners Private Equity Congresses held in London and Stockholm earlier this year, Benelux unquote’’ is delighted to announce the launch of the Benelux Limited...