Unitas Capital
Unitas invests $164m in Korean outdoor brand
Unitas Capital has injected KRW190 billion ($162.4 million) into NEPA, a Korean outdoor apparel and equipment manufacturer and retailer, through a capital increase.
Innovative intermediaries: China's boutique advisors
Boutique corporate financial advisors are expanding in China, taking advantage of deals that lie beyond the reach of global investment banks. In the absence of pre-IPO deals, future success relies on differentiation
LPs raise concerns over GPs’ ability to bring good returns - AVCJ China Forum
One of the key issues in China’s private equity space is whether GPs can maintain the robust returns they made in their previous investments amid quieter IPO markets and tightening regulations. LPs who participated in AVCJ China Forum 2012 continue...
Unitas mulls buyout of PE-backed Infastech - report
Pan-Asia buyout fund Unitas Capital has expressed interest in bidding for Singapore-based Infastech, which has been put on the block by CVC Capital Partners and Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE).
Asahi says it paid too much for PE-backed Independent Liquor
Asahi Group is re-examining the terms of its NZ$1.5 billion ($1.27 billion) acquisition last year of Independent Liquor from Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and Unitas Capital, suggesting there were differences in understanding between the buyer and sellers...
PE financing: Lagging leverage
Spooked by wider economic issues, European banks are pulling back from the leveraged buyout market. This presents a further challenge to private equity firms already adjusting to tighter financing conditions
Unitas takes a bite out of Babela’s
Everyone loves pizza and chicken wings, and none more so than Unitas Capital. The regional buyout firm, which paid $40 million for a majority stake in Chinese restaurant chain Babela’s last week, plans to kick off its list of operational improvements...
Former GKN CEO joins Unitas Capital as partner
Unitas Capital has appointed Sir Kevin Smith as a partner of the firm. Formerly CEO of GKN, a FTSE100-listed global engineering and manufacturing company, Smith will be based in Hong Kong and work closely with existing executives and portfolio companies.
Bain, Unitas consider $400m Prestolite SBO
Bain Capital and Unitas Capital are said to have submitted second round bids to purchase China-focused motor manufacturer Prestolite Electric from First Atlantic for around $400 million.
Unitas backs Chinese casual dining chain Babela’s
Unitas Capital has invested $40 million in Chinese restaurant chain Babela’s Group, best known for operating an Italian-themed casual dining chain that has over 120 outlets in Shanghai and Beijing, as well as in tier-two and tier-three cities. The company...
PE Deal of the Year – Hyva
UNITAS CAPITAL’S BUYOUT OF DUTCH cylinder-maker Hyva earlier this year was a landmark private equity deal in that it was the first in Asia to be backed by a high-yield bond. Not only did the company’s $375 million bond issue set a precedent for other...
Trade Sale of the Year – Beijing Leader & Harvest
Conventional wisdom states that foreign private equity firms will struggle to do buyouts in China. If an owner is willing to sell – and few private entrepreneurs are, while anything with state ties is off limits – the regulators might not be willing...
The specialists: The impact of Asia's sector-specific funds
When will Asian private equity funds discard their staunch sector agnosticism and carve out specific areas of investment expertise?
People power: PE and management
Private equity firms must move quickly after an acquisition to encourage and incentivize the existing management team or bring in new people
Quotes from the AVCJ Investment Summit
A selection of notable remarks from the second day of the AVCJ Investment Summit on Thursday.
Unitas on course to exit Exego to US-listed Genuine Parts
Exego Group, an Australian auto parts distributor owned by Unitas Capital, has sold a 30% stake in itself to US-listed Genuine Parts Company for around $150 million in cash. The transaction will take the form of a new share issue, with Genuine Parts carrying...
Chinese outbound M&A: Unfamiliar territory
Ever more Chinese firms are engaging in overseas M&A, with varying degrees of success. Prospective sellers must be aware of the risks as well as the opportunities
PEP hires banks to advise on Griffin’s Foods sale – report
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has appointed investment banks to advise on the potential sale of Griffin’s Foods, a New Zealand-based snack food business. It is thought the company could be sold for up to $750 million, including debt, Reuters reported,...
Japanese outbound M&A: Strategic imperative
Japanese food and beverage companies are on the acquisition trail as they seek to ease dependence on local markets. It’s a tough time for PE buyers, a great time for PE sellers
PEP, Unitas exit Independent Liquor to Asahi
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and Unitas Capital last week agreed to sell New Zealand beverage firm Independent Liquor to Japan’s Asahi Group for NZ$1.525 billion ($1.27 billion). The private equity firms secured a 1.5x return on their original NZ$1.2...
PE’s love-hate relationship with corporates
This week's AVCJ highlights three deals, all located down under, involving corporates in private equity – Bain Capital outbidding Sage for Archer and HarbourVest’s MYOB, Asahi taking over Independent liquor from Pacific Equity Partners and Unitas,...
Asahi to buy Independent Liquor from PEP, Unitas for $1.25b
Asahi Group will buy New Zealand beverage group Independent Liquor from Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and Unitas for NZ$1.5 billion ($1.25 billion). The Japanese firm’s Australian subsidiary plans to buy all outstanding shares in Flavoured Beverages...
Asahi to buy Independent Liquor for $1.3b – report
Asahi Group Holdings is set to reach an agreement this week on the JPY100 billion ($1.3 billion) purchase of Independent Liquor, which is owned by Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and Unitas Capital, The Nikkei reported.
PEP, Unitas tipped to sell Independent Liquor to Asahi
Asahi Group Holdings has emerged as the leading candidate to purchase New Zealand drinks maker Independent Liquor, which is currently owned by Pacific Equity Partners and Unitas Capital. The deal could be worth up to NZ$1.4 billion ($1.2 billion), Dow...