buyout
Blackstone names Baratta head of global private equity
The Blackstone Group has promoted Joe Baratta to head of global private equity. He currently leads the firm's European private equity operations.
Bain closes second Asia fund at $2.3b
A host of leading PE firms is in the market, seeking to raise pan-Asia funds of $2 billion or more. Last week, Bain Capital became the first to cross the finish line. Its second regional fund closed at $2.3 billion, roughly halfway between the initial...
CHAMP in $192m take-private bid for Gerard Lighting
CHAMP Private Equity has launched a A$186 million ($192 million) takeover bid for Australian light fittings distributor Gerard Lighting Group. The bid has won unanimous approval from Gerard’s board and the Gerard family, which has a 52% stake, has said...
Potential PE target Ingham Chicken goes on the block
Ingham Enterprises, Australia’s largest poultry producer, has put itself up for sale, alerting potential private equity bidders. Sole shareholder Bob Ingham he had decided to exit “after long and careful consideration.” Investec has been appointed...
Unison launches $104m offer for South Korea’s Nexcon
Japanese private equity firm Unison Capital has launched a KRW119.8 billion ($104 million) tender offer for Nexcon Technology, a manufacturer of products for lithium-ion secondary batteries.
Blackstone to support ex-AIA CEO’s ING Asia bid – report
The Blackstone Group has reportedly agreed to support Mark Wilson, former chief of AIA Group, in his bid for ING’s Asia insurance unit. The sale is expected to generate around $7 billion, with Wilson’s consortium targeting ING’s Southeast Asian...
PE financing to be targeted in Australia takeover law review
Private equity firms that launch takeover bids for companies without clear financing packages are likely to be targeted in the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) review of takeover legislation.
HAPE clinches $12m FastTrack buyout
Harbert Australia Private Equity (HAPE), a unit of America’s Harbert Management Corp (HMC), has acquired a majority stake in recruitment and payroll software provider FastTrack.
Crescent Capital offers $225m for Australia's ClearView Wealth
Crescent Capital Partners has made a A$220 million ($225 million) takeover bid for Australian financial services company ClearView Wealth. Guinness Peat Group, which owns 47.8% of ClearView, said the offer was wholly inadequate and didn’t reflect the...
TPG buys China packaging firm HCP for $600m - report
TPG Capital has reportedly acquired Chinese packaging company HCP Holdings for around $600 million through a leveraged buyout. The news comes after an earlier attempt by Morgan Stanley's Asia private equity arm to purchase 80% of the company for around...
Southern Capital backs Malaysia’s Adventa in $100m MBO
Singapore-based Mulberry Asia Fund II, a private equity fund managed by Southern Capital Group, has acquired medical products manufacturer Adventa alongside its present managing director Low Chin Guan. The deal is valued at MYR320.85 million ($100 million).
OTPP, Unitas target PE-owned Infastech – report
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) and Unitas Capital have reportedly teamed up to bid for Singapore-based industrial fasteners manufacturer Infastech, currently owned by CVC Capital and Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE). The deal could be...
TPG backs $176m ShangPharma MBO
TPG Capital is backing a management buyout (MBO) bid for ShangPharma, a Chinese pharmaceutical and biotech research outsourcing firm listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Michael Hui, ShangPharma’s chairman and CEO, and affiliates of TPG have offered...
MBK beaten by Lotte in $1.1b Hi-Mart take-private
MBK Partners has officially been beaten to the punch in its attempt to privatize Hi-Mart, as Lotte Shopping signed a deal to acquire the South Korean electronics retailer for KRW1.25 trillion ($1.1 billion).
Carlyle takes controlling stake in China hotel operator
The Carlyle Group has acquired a controlling stake of 49% in Mandarin Hotel Holdings, which manages a mid-market hotel chain in China under the Crystal Orange Hotel and Orange Hotel brands. The private equity firm sees the investment as a means of tapping...
PEP buys Nestle’s ice cream business
Australian private equity firm Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has bought the Peters Ice Cream unit of Swiss food giant Nestle.
Advent Private secures GenesisCare exit through KKR buyout
KKR’s recent buyout of Australian healthcare firm GenesisCare secured an exit for mid-market investor Advent Private Capital. The domestic GP described the exit, which comes after a holding period of just three years, as “highly successful.”
Q&A: Pacific Equity Partners' Tim Sims
Tim Sims, co-founder and managing director of Pacific Equity Partners, argues that Australia’s strong fundamentals make it an attractive market for buyouts, while perceptions of an over-reliance on China are misplaced
Strategic glad-handing
I recall conversations with a number of Asian GPs on how to invest in family-owned businesses that account for such large number of potential acquisition targets for private equity funds in the region. The formula seemed pretty straightforward. It begins...
Gresham in talks to sell Witchery to Country Road
Australia-listed fashion and homeware retailer Country Road has confirmed it is in talks with Gresham Private Equity about the potential acquisition of clothing brands Witchery and Mimco.
EB Private Equity abandons David Jones takeover bid
Little-known UK-based investor EB Private Equity has withdrawn its takeover bid for David Jones, Australia’s second-largest department store chain. The group initially submitted an offer of A$1.52 billion ($1.55 billion) in May and later increased it...
Abax wins board approval for Fushi Copperweld MBO
Abax Global Capital has finalized a $363.8 million buyout of US-listed Chinese wire manufacturer Fushi Copperweld in alliance with company management. The transaction has taken about 18 months to close and represents Abax’s second successful take-private...
KKR takes majority stake in Australia’s GenesisCare
KKR has picked up a 63% interest in Australia’s GenesisCare, which provides services to patients with cancer and cardiovascular disease. It represents the latest in a string of healthcare sector deals by private equity firms, with TPG Capital and The...
Billabong poised for takeover as share price tumbles
Australian surfwear retailer Billabong International saw its stock slump 36% when it resumed trading on Monday following a heavily discounted $225 million rights issue. The company is now worth less than one third of the value of TPG Capital’s A$841...