Articles by Tim Burroughs
Carlyle hires UBS banker to open Indonesia office – report
The Carlyle Group plans to become the first global buyout firm to open an Indonesia office and has hired a banker from UBS to lead its efforts in a country that has so proved difficult to navigate for many larger PE players. Carlyle completed its first...
Sycamore proceeds on Billabong buyout with knockdown $300m offer
A consortium supported by US-based Sycamore Partners will enter exclusive negotiations to buy Australian surfwear company Billabong, but any deal will be priced at a substantial discount to the original offer tabled last December.
KKR to pay $500m for Warburg Alliance Tire stake – report
KKR has reportedly agreed to pay about $500 million for Warburg Pincus’ stake in Indian tire manufacturer Alliance Tire Group.
India’s Tata Consultancy Services buys PE-owned French IT firm
Two French private equity firms have exited IT services provider Alti to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for EUR75 million ($98 million) in cash as the Indian business outsourcing company seeks to broaden its footprint in Europe.
Q&A: Vogo Investment's Jason Shin
Jason Shin, managing partner of Vogo Investment, explains why South Korean company owners’ preference for local partners goes well beyond foreign private equity’s well publicized scrapes
Korea buyouts: Young pretender?
South Korea was the only significant PE market in Asia to see an uptick in deal flow last year. Investors have high expectations; uncertainty among local conglomerates – and local GPs – could make or break them
Chaebol cross-shareholding: David and Goliath
Removing cross-shareholding structures that hold Korea’s conglomerates together, and arguably suffocate competition, is key to economic democratization. But will it happen and what would it mean for PE?
KKR appoints turnaround specialist as Japan CEO
KKR has hired Hirofumi Hirano, who led the AlixPartners team that advised on the turnaround of Japan Airlines, as managing director and CEO for its Japan operations. Current CEO Shusaku Minoda has been promoted to chairman.
Unitas sees 3x return on Australia auto parts turnaround
Unitas Capital has secured a 3.3x return on its investment in Australian car parts supplier Exego, after selling the business to US-based Genuine Parts in two tranches worth a combined $950 million, including debt. The private equity firm was unable to...
Lunar Capital boosts operating partner team
Lunar Capital has appointed Eric Yiming, a long-serving China and Asia executive with Sampoerna Tobacco Group, Heineken and Tropicana, as a sector partner. Yiming will focus on the food, beverage and fast-moving consumer goods industries, and although...
3SBio shareholder opposes CITIC PE-backed take-private
One of the largest shareholders of Chinese biotechnology firm 3SBio plans to oppose a take-private bid tabled by CEO Jing Lou and CITIC Private Equity that values the company at $340 million.
India’s Zephyr Peacock reaches second close on Fund III
India-focused GP Zephyr Peacock has reached a second close of $70 million on its third fund. The vehicle, which launched in November 2011, has a final target of $150 million. A first close of $50 million came one year ago.
Carlyle passes $1b mark on fourth Asia buyout fund
The Carlyle Group has raised more than $1 billion for its fourth Asia buyout fund, having reached a first close of $700 million last December, according to sources familiar with the situation. The private equity firm is targeting a final close of $3.5...
Saratoga-owned Mandala Air eyes expansion
Saratoga Capital-owned Mandala Airlines plans to quadruple the size of its fleet by 2014 in order to boost its share of a rapidly expanding Indonesian aviation market, driven by the country’s emerging middle class.
Temasek sets up dedicated LNG investment unit
Temasek Holdings has set up an investment unit dedicated to liquefied natural gas (LNG) assets. The move comes as the Singaporean sovereign wealth fund seeks to increase its energy exposure – as also evidenced through recent PE investments – in recognition...
Malaysia plans $500m global halal fund
Malaysia-based specialist private equity firm Azka Capital will manage a MYR1.55 billion ($503 million) fund focused on global opportunities in the halal industry. It is expected to acquire companies in the food and agri-business sector and reorient them...
Hassad backs India's Bush Foods, Standard Chartered exits
Hassad Food, a unit of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), has acquired a majority interest in India-based basmati rice producer Bush Foods Overseas. The transaction facilitates the exit of Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE), which invested INR1.1...
Cerberus boosts Seibu tender offer, intensifies row with management
Cerberus Capital Management wants to increase its stake in Seibu Holdings by as much as 12% to 44.7% and nominate nine members of the Japanese rail and hotel operator’s 18-strong board. The move has escalated a row between the private equity firm and...
Australia’s Anchorage closes Fund II at $260m hard cap
Australia-based special situations and turnaround specialist Anchorage Capital Partners has reached a first and final close on its second fund at the hard cap of A$250 million ($260 million). The vehicle, which came in oversubscribed, spent less than...
OTPP private capital unit realizes $5b, reinvests $3b in 2012
Teachers’ Private Capital (TPC), the private equity fund and direct investment arm of Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), saw $5 billion in gross realizations and $3 billion in reinvestments in 2012, with 13 new direct deals and 12 commitments...
AVCJ daily bulletin returns April 5
AVCJ's daily bulletin will take a one-day break for the Ching Ming Festival. Publication will resume on April 5.
India’s Just Dial wins IPO approval
Indian search engine Just Dial has won approval for its IPO, putting VC backers Sequoia Capital, SAIF Partners and Tiger Global on course for a partial exit.
PAG special sits fund invests $125m in China property developer
PAG will invest in real estate developer China South City Holdings through the purchase of HK$975 million ($125.6 million) in convertible notes. The proceeds will be used to support properties under development and refinance a portion of existing debt.
Polaris acquires Japanese salon operator
Polaris Capital has acquired a majority stake in Japanese salon and sports club operator Socie World for a reported JPY3 billion ($32 million). The capital came from the private equity firm’s third vehicle, which has so far raised JPY36 billion, just...