Australasia
IREIFS expands SE Asia presence, targets Australasia and India
Paris-based private equity firm IREIFS Partners is to expand its Southeast Asian presence in response to increasing activity in the Asia Pacific region.
Advent generates 2.5x on rationalization play
Locker Group Holdings, an Australian metal products manufacturer recently exited by Advent Private Capital to US-based Valmont, is an example of post-global financial crisis rationalization.
The perils of over-ambition
Asahi's acquisition of Independent Liquor came towards the end of a period of frenetic outbound activity among Japanese beverage giants. Kirin bought Australia’s Lion Nathan, took a minority stake in Singapore-based Fraser &Neave and then rounded it...
Australian government commits $360m to innovation fund, clarifies VC structures
The Australian government will provide A$350 million ($360 million) in new funding for the Innovation Investment Fund to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Improvements have also been made to the early stage and venture capital limited...
Asahi accuses Independent Liquor of ‘channel stuffing’
Asahi claims that Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and Unitas Capital resorted to “channel stuffing” – where companies supply retailers with more product than they are capable of selling to boost sales figures – to artificially inflate Independent...
Australia’s AMP Capital invests $100m in US wind energy project
AMP Capital has injected $100 million in Capistrano Wind Partners, a large-scale wind energy project developer in North America, alongside a consortium of infrastructure investors. AMP made the commitment on behalf of a large Australian superannuation...
Canada’s OMERS targets Australia
Ontario Municipal Employees’ Retirement System (OMERS), one of Canada’s big three pension funds, plans to increase its exposure to Australia through investments in infrastructure and natural resources.
Reserve Bank of Australia sells subsidiary to PE-backed Innovia
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is to sell its 50% stake in Securency International, a company which produces polymer-based print material for banknotes, to Innovia Films, a UK packaging manufacturer backed by Arle Capital Partners. Innovia already...
Australia’s Hastings adds to North America team
Australian infrastructure investor Hastings Funds Management has appointed Irene Mavroyannis as executive director with responsibility for business development in the US and Canada. She will join the existing investment team in New York.
MVision opens Australia office
Placement agent MVision has opened a new office in Sydney, Australia. The move will allow MVision, which currently has a number of investment manager clients in Australia, to expand its reach into the Asia Pacific private equity market.
Asahi, PE firms set for legal battle over Independent Liquor sale - update
Japanese beverage giant Asahi has taken legal action against private equity firms Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and Unitas Capital over its acquisition of New Zealand firm Independent Liquor in 2011 for NZ$1.5 billion ($1.5 billion).
Paine-backed Costa to buy Adelaide Mushrooms
The Costa Group, an Australian fresh produce company backed by global private equity firm Paine & Partners, is to acquire Adelaide Mushrooms. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
AVCJ Australia webinar takes place Thursday
The opportunities and challenges facing Australian private equity will be discussed by a panel of industry experts at an AVCJ webinar on February 21. It begins at 11 a.m. (2 p.m. AEST) and will last for approximately 45 minutes. Audience members will...
RREEF names Maruf head of Asia Pacific alternatives
Nadir Maruf has been appointed head of Asia Pacific alternative investments at RREEF Alternatives, a unit of Deutsch Asset Management.
Asian advocacy: PE associations reach out to regulators
PE practitioners like light-touch regulation and usually prefer to stay at arm's length from government. A combination of global and national pressures has forced industry associations to revisit their strategies
Australia’s Advent sees 2.5x return on Locker investment
Advent Private Capital has sold metal products manufacturer Locker Group Holdings to US-based Valmont Industries, generating a 2.5x money multiple on its investment. According to AVCJ Research, the Australian GP acquired an 80% stake in Locker just over...
Australia’s Telstra loses VC unit founder
Deena Shiff, managing director of Telstra’s captive VC unit, has resigned her post to focus on a non-executive career and directorships. She remains as an advisor to the firm and as a board director for investee companies.
Ironbridge-backed FleetPartners to tap debt markets
Fleet Partners, an Australian vehicle-leasing firm backed by Ironbridge Equity Partners and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), plans to raise more than $200 million in debt ahead of its IPO.
Quadrant-owned Virtus Health targets IPO in 2013
Quadrant Private Equity is targeting a A$500 million ($520 million) IPO this year for its portfolio company Virtus Health, Australia's largest fertility business.
Trafigura subsidiary buys Ausfuel from Archer Capital
Archer Capital has exited Ausfuel to Puma Energy, a subsidiary of Trafigura, for a reported cash sum of $650 million. The Australian GP acquired a majority stake in the company from CHAMP Ventures in 2010, paying around A$120 million ($125 million).
China's Cathay Fortune abandons Discovery Metals bid
Cathay Fortune Corporation (CFC), the private equity group founded by Chinese billionaire Yong Yu, has abandoned its A$830 million ($848 million) takeover bid for Australian copper miner Discovery Metals. Discovery shares plummeted as much as 7.5% to...
Australia’s Adventure Capital targets $100m VC fund
Australian VC firm Adventure Capital is targeting around $100 million for its debut vehicle. It has already received $20 million in commitments from high net worth individuals – having signed up its first cornerstone investor in late 2010 – and is...
Australia's IFM enters UK airspace
An investor in Australian airports for 15 years, Industry Funds Management (IFM) - which is owned by 30 domestic superannuation funds - has made its first foray into the global market with the acquisition of a 35.5% stake in Manchester Airports Group...
MGPA pays $111m for Perth office building
Four months since reaching a first close of EUR85 million ($111 million), MGPA Asien Spezialfonds - an Asia-focused real estate fund structured to target German investors - has committed close to exactly that amount for its maiden investment in Australia.