Buyouts
Axa-owned Novacap chemicals group makes China acquisition
AXA Private Equity-backed French chemicals group Novacap, is to acquire a majority stake in Taixing Yangzi Pharm Chemical (Yangzi), one of the leading Chinese producers of a chemical mainly used for the production of paracetamol. Financial terms of the...
New Zealand's Pencarrow acquires Bell Tea & Coffee
Pencarrow Private Equity has bought Bell Tea & Coffee Company (BTCC), New Zealand’s oldest tea enterprise, from supermarket chain Foodstuffs. Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) is coming in as a significant co-investor, while BTCC’s senior management...
KKR considers teaming with Japan state fund for Panasonic unit - report
KKR may partner with a Japanese state-backed investment fund in a bid to secure a stake in Panasonic's healthcare unit.
KKR's Kravis bullish on Asia private equity, credit
Henry Kravis, co-founder of KKR, believes that Asia’s macro headwinds have created an attractive environment for private equity investment, although the asset class is just one of several strategies that feature in his longer-term outlook for the development...
Blackstone consortium reduces Pactera MBO offer
A consortium led by The Blackstone Group has made a definitive offer for Pactera Technology International that values the US-listed tech outsourcing firm at approximately $600 million. Existing investor GGV Capital is also participating in the bid alongside...
PE-backed Endurance International to buy India's Directi
Endurance International Group, a US-based web hosting services provider controlled by Warburg Pincus and Goldman Sachs, has agreed to buy Indian online services firm Directi Web Technology for up to $110 million.
ADIA buys Australia hotel portfolio
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has bought Tourism Asset Holdings (TAHL), Australia’s largest hotel owner. The deal will see the Middle East sovereign wealth fund assume control of 31 Accor-operated properties in major cities.
Navis in Australia demographics play
Australian politicians have long debated ways to enlarge the country’s tax base as they prepare for the economic ramifications of a spiraling dependency ratio. By 2050 there will be just 2.7 people of working age for each person aged 65 and over, compared...
CHAMP, Headland seek full acquisition of Miclyn Express Offshore
CHAMP Private Equity and Hong Kong's Headland Capital Partners have offered to buy the 24.8% of oil and gas services group Miclyn Express Offshore (MEO) they do not own for around A$150 million ($137 million).
Navis buys Australian childcare business from Wolseley
Navis Capital Partners has acquired Australian childcare services provider Guardian Early Learning Group from Wolseley Private Equity with a view to helping the 69-center chain double in size. The transaction value was not disclosed but sources indicate...
KKR leads race for Panasonic healthcare unit - report
KKR is said to have taken the lead in the bidding for a majority stake in Panasonic's healthcare unit - a potential $1.5 billion deal that would represent the firm's largest Japanese buyout to date.
Focus Media targets $500m dividend recap - report
Focus Media, a Chinese advertising company backed by The Carlyle Group, FountainVest Partners, CITIC Capital Partners, China Everbright and Fosun International intends to return to the loan market with recapitalization plan of around $500 million.
NewQuest makes $160m buyout offer for China Hydroelectric
NewQuest Capital Partners has made a take-private offer to US-listed China Hydroelectric that values the company at just over $160 million. The secondary specialist GP already owns 49.83% of China Hydroelectric and holds options and warrants that, if...
Actis buys India lighting business from Halonix for $24m – update
Following an agreement in July to buy the general lighting division of portfolio company Halonix, Actis will pay an enterprise value of INR1.6 billion ($24 million) for the unit.
L Capital Asia eyes bigger deals, mature markets for Fund II
Larger deals, including a few buyouts, are likely to feature more prominently in L Capital Asia’s second regional fund as the GP expands its attention to the more developed markets of Australia, Japan and South Korea, as well as bringing to bear the expertise...
Quadrant backs City Farmers' tech-based strategy
With a longstanding interest in Australia’s pet supplies industry, Quadrant Private Equity examined all the major independent players in search of a business suitable for rapid scaling up and expansion nationwide. In Perth-headquartered City Farmers,...
Simcere accepts Hony-backed take-private bid worth $490m
Chinese drug developer Simcere Pharmaceutical Group has agreed to a management buyout offer from a consortium led by its chairman and Hony Capital that values the company at approximately $490 million. Simcere is now expected to de-list from the New York...
KKR, TPG drop out of ParknShop bidding – report
KKR and a consortium featuring TPG Capital consortium have reportedly been dropped from the auction of ParknShop, the Hong Kong supermarket chain owned by Hutchison Whampoa.
Q&A: FCC Partners' C.Y. Huang
C.Y. Huang, president of FCC Partners and chairman of the Taiwan M&A and PE Council (MAPE), explains why he sees the tide turning for foreign private equity in Taiwan and where the opportunities lie
Taiwan buyouts: Back from the brink?
After a spike in buyouts in the mid-2000s, Taiwan sank from view due to private equity firms’ concerns about unpredictable deal approvals. Regulators are now trying to tempt them back with promises of reforms
Foreign PE in Taiwan: Engagement issues
Taiwan has a lot to offer private equity: it is one of relatively few classic buyout markets in Asia, with control positions, the ability to put in new management, and banks that are willing leveraged lenders. Japan and Australia are the only markets...
MBK Partners to buy ING Life Korea for $1.65b
North Asia buyout firm MBK Partners has agreed to buy ING Group’s South Korean life insurance division for approximately KRW1.84 trillion ($1.65 billion) as the Dutch insurer continued its Asia divestment plan. ING will retain a 10% stake in the business...
Baring Asia to take majority stake in India's Hexaware, General Atlantic exits
Baring Private Equity Asia will acquire a 41.8% holding in Hexaware Technologies, an IT and business process outsourcing services firm, from the founders and General Atlantic (GA) for up to INR16.87 billion ($261.9 million). It will then have to make...
KKR, Bain to enter final bidding for Panasonic healthcare unit - report
KKR, Toshiba Corp. and a consortium including Bain Capital, Mitsui & Co. and Development Bank of Japan are expected to participate in the final round of bidding for Panasonic’s healthcare unit.