MBK Partners
Comcast to buy majority stake in PE-owned Universal Studios Japan
Comcast Corp. has agreed to pay JPY183 billion ($1.5 billion) for a 51% stake in Universal Studios Japan (USJ), a theme park operator controlled by MBK Partners, Goldman Sachs, PAG, and US hedge fund Owl Creek Asset Management.
MBK consortium to buy Tesco's Homeplus in $6.4b deal
A consortium led by MBK Partners has agreed to buy Homeplus – Tesco’s South Korea unit – at an enterprise valuation of GBP4.2 billion ($6.4 billion). Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) will contribute $534 million to the deal. Other co-investors...
MBK named preferred bidder for Tesco's Korea business - report
A consortium led by MBK Partners is said to have been named the preferred bidder for Tesco’s South Korea-based Homeplus business in a deal that could be worth around $6 billion.
Deal focus: CNS promises PE watershed in Taiwan
Most PE investors have secured profitable exits from Taiwan’s cable television industry. Now MBK Partners has joined the club, although like some of the others, the path to liquidity has not been smooth.
MSPEA, Far EasTone to buy Taiwan's CNS from MBK
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) and Far EasTone Telecommunications have agreed to buy Taiwan-based cable television provider China Network Systems (CNS) from MBK Partners.
MBK invests in China logistics player Apex International - update
North Asia-focused buyout firm MBK Partners has acquired a majority stake in Apex International Corporation, a China-based logistics company with a strong presence in freight forwarding.
Lotte outbids PE, strategics for KT Rental with $908m deal
Lotte Group has agreed to buy South Korean car rental firm KT Rental from KT Corp. and other investors for KRW1.02 trillion ($908 million), beating out several other private equity and strategic players.
MBK, Hudson exit China environment business to Beijing Enterprises
MBK Partners and Hudson Clean Energy Partners have sold Chinese waste-to-energy and wastewater treatment specialist GSE Investment Corporation (GSEI) to Beijing Enterprises Holdings (BEHL).
MBK sells Japan-based Yayoi to Orix for $692m
North Asia-focused buyout firm MBK Partners has exited Japanese accounting software firm Yayoi to Orix Corp. for JPY80 billion ($692 million).
Taiwan’s Wei family confirms acquisition of MBK-owned CNS
Taiwan-based food and drinks conglomerate Ting Hsin International Group has agreed to buy a majority stake in local TV operator China Network Systems (CNS) from MBK Partners.
MBK agrees $243m sale of Korea's Techpack Solutions
MBK Partners has agreed to sell bottle manufacturer Techpack Solutions to Dongwon Systems Corp, the industrial materials division of domestic conglomerate Dongwon Group, for KRW250 billion ($245 million).
EQT exits Taiwan’s Gala TV
EQT Partners has exited Taiwanese cable TV operator Gala Television Corp. to the management of local conglomerate Formosa Plastics Group.
PE-backed Universal Studios Japan targets IPO - report
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) - a theme park operator backed by Goldman Sachs, PAG, MBK Partners and US hedge fund Owl Creek - is looking to list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
EQT to sell Taiwan cable TV network to Formosa Plastics
EQT Partners will sell Taiwanese cable TV network Gala Television Corp. to domestic conglomerate Formosa Plastics Group.
EQT plans to exit Taiwan cable TV unit
EQT Partners intends to exit its investment in Taiwan cable TV network Gala TV (GTV) for a reported NT$6 billion ($200 million).
Taiwan's Hon Hai in talks to buy MBK-owned cable TV network – report
Hon Hai Precision Industry, a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer best known as Foxconn, is said to be in talks with MBK Partners to buy China Network Systems (CNS).
PE firms in the hunt for Tyco's Korea business - report
KKR, Bain Capital and CVC Capital Partners are reportedly among the preliminary bidders for the South Korean unit of US-based security systems specialist Tyco International. The unit is known as ADT Caps.
Asia Awards: PE Professional of the Year - Michael Kim
MBK Partners closed its North Asia-focused fund in September and also completed four of Asia’s largest buyouts of 2013. Michael B. Kim, the firm’s founding partner, looks back on a busy 12 months
MBK consortium bids for Woori NPL unit - report
MBK Partners is said to have teamed up with BS Financial Group to place a final bid for Woori Finance Holdings’ non-performing loans business. This is the second part of a three-phase auction intended to finally dispose of the Korean government’s...
MBK Partners sells Japan-based Invoice to Lone Star
MBK Partners has fully exited Invoice, Japan’s largest telecom bill aggregation service provider, to Lone Star Funds. The sale price was not disclosed but sources close to the deal said the North Asia-focused private equity firm had generated a 2.5x...
MBK closes third North Asia buyout fund at $2.7b hard cap
MBK Partners has closed its third fund at the hard cap of $2.7 billion after just over one year in the market. The North Asia-focused GP, which was founded by Michael B. Kim, former president of Carlyle Asia Partners, set an initial target of around $2.25...
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...
MBK in exclusive talks with ING to acquire Korea unit - report
MBK Partners has reportedly entered into exclusive talks regarding the sale of ING Groep's South Korean life insurance business. The private equity firm is said to have offered KRW1.8 trillion ($1.6 billion) for the entire operation.
Caffeinated returns: Private equity's coffee shop craving
Private equity is already leveraging the growing popularity of coffee shops across Asia. But where is the next frontier – and is it all about the coffee?