News
UK - PPM Capital to acquire restaurant group Paramount
The restaurant group behind Chez Gérard and Caffè Uno is expected to be acquired by PPM Capital in a deal worth £108m. In the last financial year the restaurant group which is known as Paramount, which trades from 80 sites, generated sales in excess...
ITALY - Aksia Group buys majority stake in Turbosol
Private equity firm Aksia purchased a 80% shareholding in Turbosol Produzione SpA from its founding family for EUR 15m. The company, located in the suburbs of Treviso, specialises in the production of machinery and systems for pumping and spraying mortars...
SWEDEN - Accent Equity sells Hydrauto to Wipro
Accent Equity has sold hydraulic cylinder manufacturer Hydrauto Group to Indian-listed Wipro Group. Accent entered the company in 2002.
FRANCE - 3i sells Keolis to SNCF
According to press reports, 3i has sold its 52.5% stake in Keolis back to its previous owner, state-owned rail group SNCF.
ITALY - Synergo Sgr buys 40% of Air Italy
Gianfilippo Cuneo's firm Synergo Sgr has recently agreed to invest an undisclosed amount of capital in return for a 40% stake in troubled low-cost airline Air Italy. The consideration has not been disclosed. The growth plan will see the expansion of the...
UK - August Equity announces appointment of Keith Davidson
August Equity Ltd has announced the appointment of Keith Davidson as Investment Manager. Davidson joins August Equity from PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he has been since 2002. Keith qualified as a chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen in 2002 before...
SPAIN - Applus+ still attracting private equity interest
Reports suggest that even after the failed takeover bid by Candover, the shareholders of Applus+ are still determined to sell the company.
ITALY - Private equity courts Alitalia
According to press reports, the Italian government is considering the possiblity of selling a 20% shareholding in national airline Alitalia to a private equity fund.
ITALY - Synergo Sgr buys 40% of Air Italy
Gianfilippo Cuneo's firm Synergo Sgr has recently agreed to invest an undisclosed amount of capital in return for a 40% stake in troubled low-cost airline Air Italy. The consideration has not been disclosed. The growth plan will see the expansion of the...
UK - HitecVision and Ferncliff back Noble Denton Holding Ltd
The shareholders of Noble Denton Holding Ltd have today agreed to sell the company to a consortium of Norwegian investors consisting of HitecVision and Ferncliff. Key employees of Noble Denton will retain a significant 40% share of the business going...
FRANCE - Apax makes almost 4x on sale of Séché Environnement shares
Apax Partners France has generated a money multiple of almost 4x on the sale of its 8.5% shareholding in Séché Environnement, a recycling and waste treatment company listed on Euronext's compartment B. The buyer is Caisse des Depôts.
FRANCE - Aon Accuracy hires Bruno Husson
Financial advisor Aon Accuracy has announced the appointment of Bruno Husson as an associate. His role will entail developing all aspects of financial evaluations.
NORWAY - Ferd Venture invests EUR 5m in maritime broadband provider
Ferd Venture has invested EUR 5m in Ship Equip, a specialist in broadband connections delivered to commerical marine vessels. The new capital will enable the company to expand into the worldwide merchant fleet and expand its geographical presence.
SWEDEN - Accent buys ScandBook
Accent Equity has come to an agreement with Nørhaven AS on the acquisition of all shares in the book producer ScandBook AB. The value of the deal has not been disclosed.
FRANCE - Possible EUR 2bn sale of FNAC
According to reports in the French press, PPR is considering selling FNAC, a nationwide books and media retailer.
ITALY - Sinergia and Parà announce acquisition of Arquati
The fund Sinergia con Imprenditori, managed by private equity firm Synergo Sgr, and industrial player Parà have jointly acquired 100% of Arquati, a group specialised in picture frame moulding, wood drapery poles and tracks for the window covering industry....
LUX - Oostvogels strengthened by new appointment
Following substantial growth in client activity, predominantly in the private equity sector, Oostvogels Pfister Roemers (Oostvogels) has added to its expertise by appointing Mr Frédéric Feyten as additional tax partner.
SPAIN - Capital Health starts its activities
Spanish stock market regulator CNMV has recently authorised the launch of the first Spanish private equity firm completely focused on the health sector. Capital Health will back financing rounds between EUR 300,000 and EUR 4m in early-stage businesses...
UK - Duke Street Capital acquires 2e2 from Gresham in £130m deal
Duke Street Capital (DSC), has agreed to acquire leading IT services business 2e2 in a £130m secondary management buyout from Gresham Private Equity. 2e2, which has operations in the UK, Channel Islands, Holland and the Isle of Man, operates in a number...
FRANCE - UFG joins syndicate of investors in Nemoptic
UFG Private Equity (formerly Nord Europe Private Equity) has committed EUR 2m in liquid crystal screen developer Nemoptic. The private equity firm joins the syndicate of investors which had invested EUR 9m in May 2006, bringing the new total to EUR 11m.
SWITZERLAND - SIG rejects CVC take-private approach
Listed Swiss packaging firm SIC has rejected an unsolicited takeover offer from CVC Capital Partners and FERD, the Norwegian parent of packaging group Elopak. The consortium had offered SFr 325-350 per share, however the firm's board of director deemed...
UK - Alexander Forbes launches Private Equity and Corporate Acquisitions Practice
Alexander Forbes International Risk Services (AFIRS) has launched a Private Equity and Corporate Acquisitions Practice (PECAP) to provide insurance and risk transfer services to businesses undertaking corporate and M&A activity. Oliver Crispin, previously...
GREECE - Apax and Texas to reap a fourfold return with TIM Hellas auction
Apax Partners and Texas Pacific Group have put a for sale sign on their portfolio company TIM Hellas, a Greek mobile services provider. According to press reports, the buyout firms have mandated Morgan Stanley and Lehman Brothers to begin an auction process...
FRANCE - Ciclad takes 84% of construction equipment business
Ciclad has taken an 84% stake in Hussor, a manufacturer of concrete moulds for the construction industry.