Europe
Asian private equity: Education never ends
It is common knowledge that Asian private equity has been going from strength to strength, generating returns that compare increasingly favorably to those of Western Europe and the US. Indeed, recent figures published by Cambridge Associates suggest that...
Baker & McKenzie names new PE chair, confirms McNamara departure
Baker & McKenzie has appointed Simon Hughes as chair of its global private equity group, in place of Sydney-based Mark McNamara. A spokesperson for Baker & McKenzie also confirmed that McNamara is leaving the firm.
Chinese bidder to buy PE-backed KraussMaffei – report
A Chinese machinery group is reportedly in exclusive talks with US-based Madison Capital to buy its German rival KraussMaffei Technologies. The deal - which is likely to fetch as much as EUR700 million ($908 million) - would be the latest in a string...
Fosun backs RHJ acquisition of Deutsche's BHF unit
China's Fosun Group is supporting RHJ International in its latest attempt to buy BHF, a leading German private bank, from Deutsche Bank. For Fosun, it represents an opportunity to secure a presence in the eurozone’s largest economy.
State banks launch Sino-French fund
The role of Chinese PE firms in outbound investment is poorly defined: In the absence of clear guidelines, participants must win approval from every single regulator. One way to avoid the red tape is by partnering with a government-backed entity, which...
China investment in Europe surges in second quarter
China’s outbound direct investment reached $24 billion in the second quarter of 2012, up 67% year-on-year, according to a research published by Sino-European private equity firm A Capital. Investment in Europe – which accounts for 48% of total deals...
MGPA announces first close on Asia real estate fund
MGPA, a private equity real estate investment firm, has held a first close on a EUR500 million ($639 million) Asia property fund targeting German investors. The vehicle has so far received EUR85 million ($109 million) from three German institutions.
CDB forms $189m cross-border fund with France
China Development Bank (CDB) has teamed up French state-owned bank Caisse des Dépôts to create a EUR150 million ($189 million) fund to promote the international expansion of French and Chinese small- and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs). Each party will...
Shandong Heavy invests $922m in PE-backed Kion
Weichai Power, a Chinese automotive and equipment manufacturer owned by Shandong Heavy Industry, will invest EUR738 million ($922 million) in Kion, the German forklift truckmaker backed by KKR and Goldman Sachs. It is the largest Chinese direct investment...
Goldman, KKR in talks with Chinese firm over Kion stake sale
Goldman Sachs and KKR are said to be in talks with Shandong Heavy Industry about selling a 25% stake in German forklift truck manufacturer Kion Group.
Mandarin Capital nears $627m first close for second fund
Sino-European private equity firm Mandarin Capital Partners is nearing a EUR500 million ($627 million) first close for its second fund. The vehicle is expected to reach a final close of EUR1 billion in the second half of 2013.
Mandarin Capital warned CDB ahead of Suntech fraud scandal
Sino-Italian PE player Mandarin Capital Partners advised China Development Bank (CDB) as early as three years ago that it shouldn't invest in Suntech Power Holdings' southern Italy initiative due to concerns about fraud. The Chinese solar company has...
Colonial First State buys TDF’s broadcasting assets in Finland
Colonial First State, an Australian wealth manager owned by Commonwealth Bank of Australia, has agreed to buy French broadcasting group TDF’s Finland business. The company, known as Digita, owns Finland’s largest broadcast tower network as well as...
Hony, GCS named preferred bidders for Dexia unit – report
Hony Capital has teamed up with GCS Capital, a PE firm founded by former investment banker Guocang Huan, to buy the asset management arm Dexia in a deal worth EUR500 million ($615 million). The Franco-Belgian financial group is one of the biggest victims...
Munich Private Equity Partners opens office in Shanghai
Munich Private Equity Partners (MPEP) has opened an office in Shanghai as it looks to increase investment allocations to Asian markets.
Herbert Smith, Freehills announce merger
International law firms Herbert Smith and Freehills have announced they will merge to become the largest fully integrated law firm in Asia Pacific.
Fosun forms strategic collaboration with Denmark's Axcel
Fosun International, the investment arm of Chinese conglomerate Fosun Group, has announced a strategic collaboration with Danish private equity fund Axcel, in a move to identify business opportunities in both China and Europe. The agreement is expected...
Palatine-backed Air Energi bolts on Indonesia’s Satoil
Air Energi, a portfolio company of Palatine Private Equity, has purchased the technical consulting and professional manpower division of Indonesian oil services company Satoil.
Vermont state pension funds commit $75m to HarbourVest
A HarbourVest Partners fund targeting Europe, Asia and emerging markets has received a $10 million commitment from the Vermont Pension Investment Committee (VPIC). It is part of a $75 million investment by the committee, which represents pension funds...
Globis leads $3.6m Series A round for quiz developer
Globis, the Japanese venture capital firm, has led a GBP2.3 million ($3.6 million) Series A round of funding for Quipper, a UK quiz applications manufacturer. Benesse, a Japanese education and publishing company, and Atomico, the VC firm led by Skype...
Hong Kong’s ADM buys stake in Prista Oil
ADM Capital and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have provided EUR48 million ($62 million) of replacement capital for a 30% stake in Bulgaria’s Prista Oil Group.
Bright Food adds Weetabix to foreign portfolio
China's Bright Food Group through a considerable amount of trial and error before sealing its first overseas acquisition last year, purchasing a 75% stake in Manassen Foods from CHAMP Private Equity for an enterprise valuation of $525 million.
Lion to make 5x money on Weetabix sale to Bright Food
Consumer investor Lion Capital has sold 60% of UK-based cereal company Weetabix to China’s Bright Food Group, in a deal that values the company at GPB1.2 billion ($1.9 billion), including debt. The move comes weeks after the buyer denied reports that...
Belgian, Chinese sovereign funds to launch joint vehicle
China Investment Corporation (CIC) is launching a small fund to help domestic companies make investments in Europe in partnership with Belgian Federal Holding Company and A Capital.