|
Ratos exits Tornet
23/12/2005. Nordic private equity house Ratos has concluded an agreement with Fabege to sell its holding in the real estate company Tornet for SEK 1.2bn, with the sale expected to be carried out January 2006. 
Life Sciences Partners exits KuDOS in AstraZeneca trade sale
23/12/2005. Pan-European venture capital group LSP has announced that its portfolio company KuDOS Pharmaceuticals has concluded an agreement to be acquired by AstraZeneca.
HUMANITAS S.p.A. disposal for ABN AMRO Capital
23/12/2005. Italian hospital group sold off by private equity firm to Centrobanca and Techint Group.
Pacific Equity Partners buys Heinz unit
23/12/2005. Heinz Company has announced that it has signed an agreement to sell its New Zealand subsidiary, Tegel Foods, to Pacific Equity Partners.
Barclays Private Equity sells CRP Group to Trelleborg
23/12/2005. Trelleborg has entered into an agreement to acquire the CRP Group from Barclays Private Equity. CRG is an engineering company with annual sales of SEK 1000m and 500 employees, primarily in the UK and the US.
US-based JLL Partners closes $1.5bn fund
22/12/2005. US-based private equity firm JLL Partners has closed its latest fund, JLL Partners Fund V, on $1.5bn. Investors include universities, endowments, corporate pension funds, state and union pension plans, family offices and funds of funds.
Deutsche Beteiligungs AG to sell axle manufacturer Otto Sauer Achsenfabrik
22/12/2005. Deutsche Beteiligungs AG, together with its co-investment fund DBAG Fund IV, has agreed to sell axle manufacturer Otto Sauer Achsenfabrik to the SAF management team, Ulrich Otto Sauer and to Pamplona Capital Management.
Betting chain Ladbrokes attracts interest from private equity groups
22/12/2005. The board of UK-based company Hilton Group has confirmed that it 'has received expressions of interest in Ladbrokes'. The statement says nothing about which firms have approached the Hilton Group regarding a possible transaction.
US Wynnchurch Capital closes Wynnchurch Capital Partners II on $350m
21/12/2005. Chicago-based private equity firm Wynnchurch Capital has closed its latest fund, Wynnchurch Capital Partners II, on $350m - above its $300m target. This was the first and final closing of the fund. Fund II was substantially oversubscribed, according to the firm.
UK Graphite Capital to exit U-POL investment
21/12/2005. UK mid-market private equity specialist Graphite Capital has agreed to sell UK automotive refinish manufacturer U-POL to ABN AMRO Capital in a deal valuing the business at £75m.
Thomas H. Lee Partners' founder reportedly plans to set up rival private equity firm
21/12/2005. Thomas H. Lee, founder of US-based buy-out firm Thomas H. Lee Partners, is reportedly leaving his firm to set up a rival private equity firm.
Burrill Life Sciences Capital Fund III holds first closing on $110m
20/12/2005. San Francisco-based life sciences merchant bank Burrill & Company has held a first closing first closing on its new fund, Burrill Life Sciences Capital Fund III, on $110m. The target size of the fund is at least $300m.
Lightyear sells shares in Collegiate Funding Services to JPMorgan Chase Bank
20/12/2005. US buy-out firm Lightyear Capital has sold its shares in Collegiate Funding Services, a specialist in the direct-to-consumer education finance industry, to JPMorgan Chase Bank in a $663m deal. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2006.
Carlyle, Prudential acquire interest in CPIC Life
20/12/2005. The Carlyle Group and China Pacific Insurance (Group) Co. have signed an agreement to equally participate in the injection of RMB6.6bn (around$820m) of new capital into Shanghai-headquartered China Pacific Life Insurance Co.
PPM Capital sells Upperpoint to Close Brothers Private Equity for £128m
19/12/2005. Mid-market private equity firm PPM Capital has agreed to sell European CCTV distributor Upperpoint Distribution Limited to Close Brothers Private Equity for a consideration of £128m.
UK Frontiers Capital to acquire Vesta Capital portfolio
19/12/2005. UK venture capital firm Frontiers Capital has closed its latest fund, Frontiers Capital III, to acquire the entire portfolio of Vesta Capital Partners. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
EQT Opportunity Fund closes on €350m
19/12/2005. Northern European private equity firm EQT has closed the EQT Opportunity Fund on approximately €350m, the fund's cap. The fund exceeded its initial target by €100m, according to the firm. The fundraising was officially launched in October.
Rustic Canyon/Fontis Partners holds interim close on $70m
19/12/2005. Rustic Canyon/Fontis Partners has held an initial close on $70m. The target is $150m. The fund will place particular emphasis on companies serving the growing Hispanic and Asian markets in the Western United States, focusing on minority and women-owned businesses.
US Littlejohn & Co. invests in Kenan Advantage Group
19/12/2005. US mid-market buy-out specialist Littlejohn & Co. has partnered with the management of Kenan Advantage Group, a Canton (Ohio)-based transport specialist of fuels and other petroleum-based products, to make a majority equity investment in the company.
US Caxton-Iseman sells Anteon to General Dynamics
16/12/2005. New York-based private equity firm Caxton-Iseman Capital has sold its portfolio company Anteon International Corporation to General Dynamics Corporation in a cash transaction valued at approximately $2.2bn, or $55.50 per share.
CVC Capital Partners promotes three to partner
16/12/2005. Pan-European private equity firm CVC Capital Partners has appointed three new partners: Adrian Mackenzie, Geert Duyck and Roy Kuan.
New venture capital firm formed to focus on investments in China
16/12/2005. Northern Light Venture Capital has been established to focus on venture capital investments in China. General partners Feng Deng and Yan Ke, both former senior executives at Juniper Networks and founders of Netscreen, a pioneering IT security firm, will lead Northern Light.
KKR reportedly launching new mega fund
16/12/2005. US buy-out giant Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. will soon launch a new private equity fund with a target of between $10bn and $12bn, the Financial Times reported.
Montagu to acquire BSN medical from Smith & Nephew, Beiersdorf for €1bn
16/12/2005. Montagu Private Equity, the UK-based pan-European buy-out firm, has agreed to acquire the 50/50 joint venture BSN medical from its parents Smith & Nephew and Beiersdorf for €1.03bn. Final completion of the sale is expected in the first quarter of 2006.
UK firm Doughty Hanson to acquire HellermannTyton from Spirent for £303m
15/12/2005. UK-based private equity firm Doughty Hanson & Co has agreed to acquire HellermannTyton, a UK-headquartered manufacturer and distributor of cable management products, from Spirent for £303m.
Dutch AlpInvest receives €11bn investment mandate from ABP and PGGM
15/12/2005. Netherlands-based private equity investor AlpInvest Partners has received a new mandate from pension funds ABP and PGGM of €11bn. This mandate is one of the largest mandates granted in the international private equity markets to date.
Blackstone to sell satellite operator New Skies to SES GLOBAL
15/12/2005. US buy-out giant The Blackstone Group has agreed to sell its 55 per cent stake in satellite operator New Skies to SES GLOBAL for $22.52 per share. The $1.16bn transaction is expected to close in approximately six months.
Former BBC director general to join Terra Firma
15/12/2005. Lord Birt, former BBC director general, is joining European private equity firm Terra Firma Capital Partners as an adviser. He will, in due course, become involved in the fund's portfolio businesses.
US Canaan Partners opens new offices in Israel and India
15/12/2005. US early stage venture investor Canaan Partners has opened an office in Herzliya Pituach, Israel. Izhar Shay joins Canaan as a venture partner and will manage the Israel venture. This is the first time Canaan has established a presence outside of the US, where they have offices in California and Connecticut.
Pond Ventures will soon close new fund on $145m
14/12/2005. Early-stage technology venture capital firm Pond Venture Partners will soon close its third fund, Pond III, on $145m. The new fund is oversubscribed, the firm said in a statement.
ABN AMRO Capital sells Puzzler Media Group for £85m
14/12/2005. ABN AMRO Capital, the private equity business of Netherlands-based ABN AMRO, has sold UK company Puzzler Media Group to John Leng & Co, a subsidiary of publishing group DC Thomson, and the existing management team, for an enterprise value of £85m.
Robert L Johnson and Carlyle to form private equity firm
14/12/2005. Robert L Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television, has signed a letter of intent with The Carlyle Group to develop co-investment opportunities, share private equity deal flow and execute private equity deals through a new private equity firm.
Bain, Carlyle, Thomas H. Lee Partners to buy Dunkin' Brands from Pernod Ricard
13/12/2005. Bain Capital Partners, The Carlyle Group and Thomas H. Lee Partners have agreed to acquire Dunkin' Brands from French drinks company Pernod Ricard for $2.425bn in cash. The sponsors will invest equal amounts of equity in the company and the management team will become equity investors. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2006.
PPM Capital hires leisure sector specialist Adrian Yurkwich
13/12/2005. Mid-market private equity firm PPM Capital has expanded its European direct investment team with the appointment of Adrian Yurkwich as a director. Yurkwich will be based in the London office with specific responsibility for leading PPM's investments in the leisure sector.
Apax, GS Capital Partners to sell Kabel Deutschland to Providence
12/12/2005. Apax Partners and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners are to sell German cable company Kabel Deutschland to Providence Equity Partners for a reported €500m. With about 95 per cent ownership Providence will become the sole shareholder of the company alongside management.
Bridgepoint, TCR, ICG to sell French perfumery group Nocibé to Charterhouse Capital
12/12/2005. Bridgepoint, TCR and ICG have agreed to sell their combined shareholding in French perfumery group Nocibé to Charterhouse Capital. Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.
IK to sell VSM Group to Kohlberg & Company
12/12/2005. Industri Kapital, a European private equity firm with Nordic roots, has agreed to sell Sweden-based VSM Group, a supplier of high end consumer sewing machines and accessories under the Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff brands, to Kohlberg & Company.
Dutch AlpInvest appoints Peter Cornelius as economist
12/12/2005. Netherlands-based private equity investor AlpInvest Partners has appointed Peter Cornelius as economist. Cornelius will be based in Amsterdam and will report to managing partner Wim Borgdorff.
North Castle Partners sells travel company Grand Expeditions for £54m
09/12/2005. North Castle Partners has sold travel company Grand Expeditions to UK-based leisure travel company First Choice Holidays for a total consideration of £54m, including £11.8m of long-term debt.
Final close on $450m for energy private equity fund Lime Rock
09/12/2005.
Matt Horton leaves Garage for @Ventures
09/12/2005. The venture capital affiliate of CMGI, @Ventures, has announced that Matt Horton has left Garage Technology Ventures to join the firm as a Principal in its @Ventures V, LLC fund. Formed in May 2004 and primarily focused on investments in companies developing clean energy technologies, the fund is @Ventures' fifth.
Nordic buy-out firm Altor invests in Swedish Byggmax
09/12/2005. Nordic buy-out firm Altor Equity Partners has acquired a majority shareholding in Swedish building materials chain Byggmax. The investment was made from Altor 2003 Fund, which closed on €650m in 2003.
First close of Israel's Vintage Ventures II on $45m
08/12/2005. Israel's Vintage Venture Partners' fund of funds has held a first close on approximately $45m. The final closing is scheduled for February/March 2006, according to the firm, and the target size of Vintage Ventures II is $75m. The new fund of funds will focus on investments primarily in early stage, sector-focused Israeli-related technology venture capital funds.
Michael Marks joins KKR from Flextronics
08/12/2005. US buy-out giant Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. has appointed Michael E Marks. Marks will join the firm in January, following his retirement as chief executive officer of Flextronics, a Singapore-headquartered electronics manufacturing services provider. He will then assume the position of non-executive chairman of Flextronics.
NGP Energy Capital Management closes three funds on a combined $1.7bn
08/12/2005. Irving, Texas-based NGP Energy Capital Management has closed three new funds with aggregate capital of $1.7bn. Natural Gas Partners VIII has closed on $1.3bn of investment commitments. A companion fund, NGP Income Co-Investment Opportunities Fund II, has also been closed, on $250m. NGP Energy Technology Partners has held its final closing with total commitments of $148m.
FRR intends to launch European RFP on private equity fund of funds mandates
08/12/2005. The FRR (Fonds de réserve pour les retraites - French Pensions Reserve Fund) intends to launch a European request for proposal for the award of private equity fund of funds management mandates as part of the implementation of its first programme in the asset class.
Advent Venture Partners appoints life sciences specialist Dr Raj Parekh
08/12/2005. London-based venture capital firm Advent Venture Partners has appointed Dr Raj Parekh as a general partner in the life sciences team. Dr Parekh joins Advent from Abingworth Ventures, where he has been an entrepreneur in residence.
Lion Capital to sell Polish firm Aster City Cable to MEP for PLN1.6bn
08/12/2005. London-based Lion Capital, acting as the advisor to the Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Europe Fund, has agreed to sell Polish media and communications services provider Aster City Cable to Mid Europa Partners for PLN1.6bn (€412m).
US Clarus Ventures closes $500m fund
07/12/2005. New US life sciences venture capital firm Clarus Ventures has held a first and final closing of its inaugural fund totalling $500m in commitments. The fund will invest primarily in US-based biopharmaceutical and specialty pharma companies with products in development at value inflection points in their lifecycle.
Vectis Capital launches fund for investment in West Africa
07/12/2005. Athens, Greece-headquartered venture capital firm Vectis Capital is establishing a new private equity fund focusing on investments in companies and businesses principally based in West Africa. The fund will have a particular emphasis on Nigeria.
Nordic Capital to sell Anticimex to Ratos for SEK1.6bn
07/12/2005. Nordic Capital, through its Nordic Capital Fund IV, has entered into a binding agreement to sell its interest in Anticimex for SEK1.648bn (approximately €175m) to Swedish-listed private equity firm Ratos.
Swicorp launches open-ended private equity fund focusing on Iran, Algeria, Sudan
06/12/2005. Swicorp, a Swiss-headquartered private equity and investment banking firm in the Middle East and North Africa region, has partnered with major Gulf Cooperation Council-based companies, to launch Swicorp Emerge Invest, an open-ended private equity fund focusing on Iran, Algeria and Sudan. Commitments of $100m have already been received.
Sun Capital sells Hunnebeck Group, buys CDI Group
06/12/2005. US private equity firm Sun Capital Partners has announced two transactions: the sale of German company Hunnebeck Group and the acquisition of US company CDI Group.
North Castle Partners and J.W. Childs Associates to sell Equinox Holdings
06/12/2005. North Castle Partners and J.W. Childs Associates have agreed to sell fitness club operator Equinox Holdings to New York City-based real estate developer The Related Companies and Equinox management in a transaction valued at $505m.
Aletheia Partners, HARDT GROUP, ABN AMRO Capital, Quilvest to buy ewt Holding
06/12/2005. A group of investors comprising Aletheia Partners, HARDT GROUP, ABN AMRO Capital and Quilvest is to buy a controlling stake in German cable service provider ewt Holding from the Stritzl family. The family currently owns 100 per cent of ewt. The purchase price has not been disclosed officially but is somewhere between €600m and €675m, according to experts close to the deal.
EQT to sell Com Hem to Carlyle and Providence
05/12/2005. EQT has agreed to sell Swedish cable TV operator Com Hem to The Carlyle Group and Providence Equity Partners. Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed officially but the Financial Times quoted a purchase price of around €1bn, including debt.
Intel establishes $250m India venture fund
05/12/2005. Intel Corporation has established a $250m venture capital fund to help stimulate technological innovation in India and drive continued growth of the country's IT industry.
European venture capital fundraising up on year, down on quarter
05/12/2005. European venture capital fundraising continued to outpace 2004 levels, with €647.3m raised in the third quarter of 2005, compared to €176.8m in Q3 2004, according to VentureOne.
German firm Munich Venture Partners holds first closing on first-time fund
05/12/2005. Munich Venture Partners has held a first closing on its new high tech venture capital fund on €36m. The fund has a target of around €60m ($70m). It is set up in partnership with the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and will focus on investments in innovative high tech firms and technology spin-offs of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.
TPG, Blackstone, CVC, Merrill Lynch Private Equity to sell Spirit Group for £2.7bn
02/12/2005. A private equity consortium including Texas Pacific Group, The Blackstone Group, CVC Capital Partners and Merrill Lynch Private Equity has agreed to sell Spirit Group to Punch Taverns, the operator of over 8,200 pubs in the UK, in a transaction that values Spirit Group in aggregate at approximately £2.68bn. This includes the assumption of approximately £1.25bn of debt.
Carlyle/Riverstone, Goldman Sachs to invest $500m in Cobalt International Energy
02/12/2005. Carlyle/Riverstone and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners have backed a team of petroleum industry experts with a $500m investment to help launch Cobalt International Energy.
US firm EnerTech Capital hires Wally Hunter as manager of new Toronto office
01/12/2005. US energy technology venture firm EnerTech Capital has appointed Wally Hunter as a managing member. He will be responsible for managing the firm's new Toronto office.
AXA Private Equity to sell manufacturer Souriau to Sagard
01/12/2005. AXA Private Equity has agreed to sell its majority shareholding in Souriau to Sagard. Souriau is a connector manufacturer for the industrial, military and aerospace markets. The company employs over 1500 staff. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
|
