Bygghemma has been listed on NASDAQ Stockholm

Fsn Capital

Bygghemma Group First AB (“Bygghemma” or the “Company”) – a portfolio company of FSN Capital IV, FSN Capital V and FSN Capital Project Growth – was listed on March 27th, 2018 on Nasdaq Stockholm. The initial public offering (the “IPO”) attracted very strong interest both from Swedish and international institutional investors as well as from the general public in Sweden. The offering was heavily oversubscribed.

Bygghemma Group First AB (“Bygghemma” or the “Company”) – a portfolio company of FSN Capital IV, FSN Capital V and FSN Capital Project Growth  – was listed on March 27th, 2018 on Nasdaq Stockholm. The initial public offering (the “IPO”) attracted very strong interest both from Swedish and international institutional investors as well as from the general public in Sweden. The offering was heavily oversubscribed.

The offering price in Bygghemma’s IPO was set at SEK 47.50 per share, which was in the middle of the communicated IPO range of SEK 45 – 50 per share. Assuming full exercise of the over-allotment option, the IPO will comprise 33.9m shares, corresponding to a total value of the IPO of approximately SEK 1.6 billion and 32 percent of the total number of shares outstanding. The FSN Capital Shareholders will hold approximately 50 percent of the shares after the IPO, assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full. The market capitalization of Bygghemma at IPO was SEK 5.1 billion.

The cornerstone investors, Arbejdsmarkedets Tillægspension (ATP) and Creades, acquired 5,263,157 shares in the Offering, corresponding to SEK 250 million.

Mikael Olander, President and CEO of Bygghemma Group comments: ”We are very happy about the large interest that has been shown during the listing process for Bygghemma Group and our strong position as the superior online provider of home improvement products in the Nordic region. We are looking forward to continue to grow and develop the company, now in a listed environment.”

Henrik Theilbjørn, Chairman of the Board of Bygghemma Group says: “Bygghemma Group has established a leading Nordic platform and has great potential for both substantial organic and acquisition-driven growth and improved results in the coming years. The company targets a large and attractive market under digital transformation where it has a clear online market leadership. We are looking forward to continue to create value in a listed environment and welcome all new shareholders to follow us into the exciting future of Bygghemma Group.”

Peter Möller, Partner, FSN Capital Partners (investment advisor to the FSN Capital Shareholders): “Bygghemma Group operates on a fast-growing market where it has established a strong position as the leading online provider of home improvement products in the Nordic region. Over the last years the company has implemented several important strategic initiatives, made add-on acquisitions and improved its market position. We look forward to continue supporting the company and participate in the development of Bygghemma Group, now in a listed environment.”

 

About Bygghemma Group
Bygghemma Group is the leading online provider of home improvement in the Nordic region . The Company offers its customers a broad  product assortment at competitive prices with convenient home delivery. Sales are predominantly made online and most orders are delivered directly from the supplier to the end customer.

During 2015-2017, net sales grew by a CAGR of 44 percent, with an improvement in adjusted EBITA margin from 2.5% in 2015 to 5.0% in 2017. In 2017, Bygghemma Group reported net sales of SEK 4.0 billion and adjusted EBITA of SEK 197.0 million, corresponding to an adjusted EBITA margin of 5.0%. Pro forma net sales for 2017 (which includes acquisitions completed during 2017) amounted to SEK 4.4 billion.

Since inception in 2006, Bygghemma Group has expanded its product offering, made significant operational investments and broadened its geographical presence in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark. As of 1 January 2018, the Company’s webstores are supported by 72 showrooms, customer.

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Bygghemma has been listed on NASDAQ Stockholm

Fsn Capital

Bygghemma Group First AB (“Bygghemma” or the “Company”) – a portfolio company of FSN Capital IV, FSN Capital V and FSN Capital Project Growth – was listed on March 27th, 2018 on Nasdaq Stockholm. The initial public offering (the “IPO”) attracted very strong interest both from Swedish and international institutional investors as well as from the general public in Sweden. The offering was heavily oversubscribed.

Bygghemma Group First AB (“Bygghemma” or the “Company”) – a portfolio company of FSN Capital IV, FSN Capital V and FSN Capital Project Growth  – was listed on March 27th, 2018 on Nasdaq Stockholm. The initial public offering (the “IPO”) attracted very strong interest both from Swedish and international institutional investors as well as from the general public in Sweden. The offering was heavily oversubscribed.

The offering price in Bygghemma’s IPO was set at SEK 47.50 per share, which was in the middle of the communicated IPO range of SEK 45 – 50 per share. Assuming full exercise of the over-allotment option, the IPO will comprise 33.9m shares, corresponding to a total value of the IPO of approximately SEK 1.6 billion and 32 percent of the total number of shares outstanding. The FSN Capital Shareholders will hold approximately 50 percent of the shares after the IPO, assuming the over-allotment option is exercised in full. The market capitalization of Bygghemma at IPO was SEK 5.1 billion.

The cornerstone investors, Arbejdsmarkedets Tillægspension (ATP) and Creades, acquired 5,263,157 shares in the Offering, corresponding to SEK 250 million.

Mikael Olander, President and CEO of Bygghemma Group comments: ”We are very happy about the large interest that has been shown during the listing process for Bygghemma Group and our strong position as the superior online provider of home improvement products in the Nordic region. We are looking forward to continue to grow and develop the company, now in a listed environment.”

Henrik Theilbjørn, Chairman of the Board of Bygghemma Group says: “Bygghemma Group has established a leading Nordic platform and has great potential for both substantial organic and acquisition-driven growth and improved results in the coming years. The company targets a large and attractive market under digital transformation where it has a clear online market leadership. We are looking forward to continue to create value in a listed environment and welcome all new shareholders to follow us into the exciting future of Bygghemma Group.”

Peter Möller, Partner, FSN Capital Partners (investment advisor to the FSN Capital Shareholders): “Bygghemma Group operates on a fast-growing market where it has established a strong position as the leading online provider of home improvement products in the Nordic region. Over the last years the company has implemented several important strategic initiatives, made add-on acquisitions and improved its market position. We look forward to continue supporting the company and participate in the development of Bygghemma Group, now in a listed environment.”

Bygghemma has been listed on NASDAQ Stockholm

About Bygghemma Group
Bygghemma Group is the leading online provider of home improvement in the Nordic region . The Company offers its customers a broad  product assortment at competitive prices with convenient home delivery. Sales are predominantly made online and most orders are delivered directly from the supplier to the end customer.

During 2015-2017, net sales grew by a CAGR of 44 percent, with an improvement in adjusted EBITA margin from 2.5% in 2015 to 5.0% in 2017. In 2017, Bygghemma Group reported net sales of SEK 4.0 billion and adjusted EBITA of SEK 197.0 million, corresponding to an adjusted EBITA margin of 5.0%. Pro forma net sales for 2017 (which includes acquisitions completed during 2017) amounted to SEK 4.4 billion.

Since inception in 2006, Bygghemma Group has expanded its product offering, made significant operational investments and broadened its geographical presence in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark. As of 1 January 2018, the Company’s webstores are supported by 72 showrooms, customer.

 

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AkzoNobel to sell Specialty Chemicals to The Carlyle Group and GIC for €10.1 billion

Carlyle

Agreement successfully concludes dual-track process

Akzo Nobel N.V. (AKZA; AKZOY)

  • Key milestone in creating a focused, high performing Paints and Coatings company
  • Unleashing the Specialty Chemicals business to achieve its full potential
  • Thorough process results in best outcome for all stakeholders
  • Vast majority of net proceeds to be returned to shareholders

AkzoNobel today announces the sale of 100% of its Specialty Chemicals business to The Carlyle Group and GIC for an enterprise value of €10.1 billion. This transaction creates two focused and high performing businesses – Paints and Coatings, and Specialty Chemicals – as part of its strategy announced in April 2017. The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of 2018.

The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board concluded that a private sale to The Carlyle Group and GIC is in the best interests of AkzoNobel, Specialty Chemicals and its respective stakeholders, including employees, shareholders and customers. This is the outcome of a thorough dual-track process during which the Boards of AkzoNobel carefully considered both a legal demerger and a private sale.

The Carlyle Group has a global presence and the financial capacity to enable the Specialty Chemicals business achieve its full potential. Carlyle has extensive experience investing in chemicals, unlocking long-term potential and creating value in its portfolio companies.  As a responsible investor Carlyle is focused on driving growth, job creation and long-term financial success. The firm also has a strong focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspects and building positive working relationships with wider stakeholders (employees, unions and local communities).

Thierry Vanlancker, CEO AkzoNobel, said: “Today is a key milestone in creating two focused, high performing businesses, to generate value for all stakeholders. We delivered on our commitment to separate the Specialty Chemicals business and did so ahead of schedule.

“We are very pleased to announce the sale of Specialty Chemicals to The Carlyle Group and GIC. We believe the business is well positioned to capture growth opportunities and further improve performance. Carlyle has significant experience in the chemicals industry and a proven track record when it comes to health, safety, innovation and sustainability.”

Martin Sumner and Zeina Bain, Managing Directors at The Carlyle Group, added: “We are pleased to invest in the Specialty Chemicals business and proud to support a business with such a strong heritage. We are committed to growing the business, and building upon its innovation capability, high quality work force and asset base, as well as its world-class sustainability and environmental practices. We look forward to working with the management team to transition the business to a successful independent company.”

Werner Fuhrmann, CEO of AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals, said: “Specialty Chemicals is a strong and profitable business with highly skilled and motivated employees serving our customers every day with essential chemistry. As a focused chemicals company we will concentrate our efforts and resources to accelerate profitable growth.

“With this transaction, our business has an opportunity to achieve its full potential and we will continue to fulfil the current and future needs of our customers throughout the world.”

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions including the relevant regulatory approvals and consultation with the relevant employee representative bodies. AkzoNobel obtained shareholder approval for the separation at an Extraordinary General Meeting held on November 30, 2017.

This transaction values Specialty Chemicals at €10.1 billion (Enterprise Value). On the basis of the year-end balance sheet, AkzoNobel expects to receive a cash payment of €8.9 billion. Following deduction of deal and separation related costs, as well as other previously announced liabilities, the net proceeds are expected to be around €7.5 billion. The vast majority of net proceeds will be distributed to shareholders. Further details will be announced in due course.

Equity for this investment will come from Carlyle Partners VII, Carlyle Europe Partners IV, Carlyle’s longstanding investment partner GIC (which manages Singapore’s foreign reserves) and co-investors.

This is a public announcement by Akzo Nobel N.V. pursuant to section 17 paragraph 1 of the European Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014).

– – –

About Akzo Nobel N.V.

AkzoNobel creates everyday essentials to make people’s lives more liveable and inspiring. As a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, we supply essential ingredients, essential protection and essential color to industries and consumers worldwide. Backed by a pioneering heritage, our innovative products and sustainable technologies are designed to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing planet, while making life easier. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we have approximately 45,000 people in around 80 countries, while our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon and Eka. Consistently ranked as a leader in sustainability, we are dedicated to energizing cities and communities while creating a protected, colorful world where life is improved by what we do.

About The Carlyle Group

The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global alternative asset manager with $195 billion of assets under management across 317 investment vehicles as of December 31, 2017. Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, many of whom are public pensions. Carlyle invests across four segments – Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Credit and Investment Solutions – in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America. Carlyle has expertise in various industries, including: aerospace, defense & government services, consumer & retail, energy & power, financial services, healthcare, industrial, infrastructure, real estate, technology & business services, telecommunications & media and transportation. The Carlyle Group employs more than 1,600 people in 31 offices across six continents.

About GIC

GIC is a leading global investment firm established in 1981 to manage Singapore’s foreign reserves. It has investments in over 40 countries. As a disciplined long-term value investor, GIC is uniquely positioned for investments across a wide range of asset classes, including equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate, and infrastructure. In private equity, GIC invests through funds as well as directly in companies, partnering with its fund managers and management teams to help world class businesses achieve their objectives. GIC adds value to boards and management of investee companies by providing advice and access to its global network. Headquartered in Singapore, GIC employs over 1,400 people across 10 offices in key financial cities worldwide. For more information about GIC, please visit www.gic.com.sg

 

For more information:

AkzoNobel Media Relations

T +31 (0)88 – 969 7833

Contact: Diana Abrahams

 

AkzoNobel Investor Relations

T +31 (0)88 – 969 7856

Contact: Lloyd Midwinter

 

The Carlyle Group

Rory Macmillan

rory.macmillan@carlyle.com

+44 (0) 20 7894 1630

 

The Carlyle Group

Katarina Sallerfors

Katarina.sallerfors@carlyle.com

+44 (0)20 7894 1632

 

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements which address such key issues such as AkzoNobel’s growth strategy, future financial results, market positions, product development, products in the pipeline and product approvals. Such statements should be carefully considered, and it should be understood that many factors could cause forecasted and actual results to differ from these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, developments in raw material and personnel costs, pensions, physical and environmental risks, legal issues, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. Stated competitive positions are based on management estimates supported by information provided by specialized external agencies. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risk factors affecting our business please see our latest annual report, a copy of which can be found on our website: www.akzonobel.com .

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3i announces net proceeds of €347m from Scandlines transaction

3I

3i Group plc (“3i”) announces that 3i and funds managed by 3i (together Eurofund V) have sold their investment in Scandlines (“the Company”) for a total equity value of €1.7bn in a transaction with funds managed by First State Investments (“First State”) and Hermes Investment Management, two long-term infrastructure investors representing predominantly European pension funds.

The valuation of 3i’s 55% stake at 31 December 2017 was €744 million (£662 million); the transaction value is at an uplift of 27% to this value. 3i has separately agreed to reinvest into Scandlines at the same transaction value to become a 35% shareholder alongside First State (50.1%) and Hermes Investment Management (14.9%). Net cash proceeds to 3i following the reinvestment will be €347 million, and are expected to be received in the first quarter of FY2019.

Scandlines operates two short-distance, high-frequency ferry routes between Germany and Denmark which provide a critical transport link between Scandinavia and Germany and the rest of Continental Europe. The Company’s eight ferries provide efficient and reliable transportation services to the professional freight and private passenger markets, with more than 42,000 departures annually.

3i, and funds managed by 3i, initially acquired a 40% stake in Scandlines in 2007. They bought a further 10% stake from Deutsche Seerederei in 2010 and acquired the remaining 50% from Allianz Capital Partners in November 2013. Since 2007, 3i has supported Scandlines in its transformation from a state-owned business into a ‘best in class’ operator. To achieve this, Scandlines sold its Baltic and Helsingor-Helsingborg routes and focused the business on two routes linking Germany and Denmark. The transformation also involved investment in the Company to drive sales growth in its core vehicle-transportation business and transform its border shops. In addition, Scandlines invested in green technology and built two new ferries for the Rostock-Gedser route, providing increased capacity and frequency of crossings. Recently, the Company completed an €862 million infrastructure debt refinancing, which received an investment grade rating and substantially reduces its long-term cost of debt.

First State, Hermes Investment Management and 3i intend to support the further growth of Scandlines, including additional investment in green technology. As long-term investors, the three shareholders will continue to support management in the delivery of excellent customer service, safe operations and improving environmental efficiency.

Peter Wirtz, Partner 3i Germany, added:

“During our investment period, Scandlines has been transformed from a state-owned business into an important infrastructure asset securing the central transport corridors between Germany and Denmark. Between 2012 and 2016, the Company has invested c. €365 million in green technology, new ferries and the upgrading of its port facilities to establish itself as a truly sustainable and reliable traffic machine.

Scandlines has been a fantastic investment for us and our re-investment, alongside First State and Hermes Investment Management, into the business reflects our confidence in its continued success. The Company is cash generative and has delivered strong capital growth and income since our investment. We continue to see a robust future for Scandlines and are delighted to continue to invest in such a well-run and strongly performing Company.” 

Marcus Ayre, Partner Infrastructure Investments, First State, added:

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement to partner with Hermes Investment Management and 3i in Scandlines and look forward to working closely with the Scandlines management and employees. 

As long-term infrastructure investors, investing primarily on behalf of European pension funds, we are especially attracted to the integral transport nature of Scandlines. By providing a high-frequency, environmentally friendly, quality service, Scandlines acts as a critical link between the economies of Continental Europe and Scandinavia.”

Peter Hofbauer, Head of Infrastructure at Hermes Investment Management, added:

“Scandlines operates an essential transportation link between Denmark and Germany, and represents an excellent European investment for our portfolio. Our investment in Scandlines is expected to deliver long term stable cash flows, through its focus on excellent customer service, environmental efficiency and safe operations. We are a long-term investor focussed on responsible investment and delivering sustainable and attractive risk adjusted returns for our clients. We look forward to working alongside Scandlines’ high-quality management team, our partners First State and 3i, and local stakeholders, to support Scandlines’ continued success.”

Søren Poulsgaard Jensen CEO, Scandlines said:

“I have enjoyed working with 3i to transform the company and develop its growth potential, and I am looking forward to working with the new consortium. Scandlines is a fantastic company with dedicated employees; we will all benefit from this long-term investment.”

Rothschild acted as financial advisers to 3i and Scandlines on the transaction, which is subject to customary approvals. Deutsche Bank and Macquarie Capital acted as financial advisers to First State and Hermes Investment Management.

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Innovation efforts pay off – Gilde Buy Out Partners invests in Esdec

Gilde Buy Out

March 26, 2018 Amsterdam – On 22 March, Gilde Buy Out Partners joined Esdec as a new shareholder. Esdec develops, produces and delivers professional mounting systems for solar panels. The fast growth and the innovative characteristics of Esdec, have fuelled Gilde’s ambition to play an important role in supporting the existing management team in realizing the company’s growth ambitions. With this transaction the shares of investors Holland Venture and Dolfin Capital will be acquired by Gilde.

 

With its innovative mounting systems, Esdec is playing a key role in addressing the growing demand for solar energy. In 2017 the production of solar energy grew with an impressive 40%. The focus on innovation did not go unnoticed as Esdec won the Solar Innovation Award 2017 and it was nominated as FD Gazellen 2017.

Innovation

Investing in innovation is key for Esdec. “The continuous quest for smarter, better and faster solutions for our customers is our main driver, every single day.”, according to Stijn Vos, CEO and shareholder of Esdec. To maintain the position as market leader, the innovation engine continues to run at full speed. Esdec again introduced a new range of products this month, has strengthened its management team with a director Technology and Innovation, has extended its R&D team from 2 FTE to 10 FTE and has started construction of its 1000m2 innovation centre. Overall, the number of employees has tripled in two years. Vos added to this: “Together with Holland Venture and Dolfin Capital we have strengthened our market position significantly since 2015. I am grateful for their contribution which has brought Esdec to the point where it is ready for the next growth phase with Gilde.”

“Esdec stands out due to its strong product portfolio and fast growth. We are impressed with what the management team has achieved in recent years, together with Dolfin and Holland Venture, as well as by innovations currently being developed. We see numerous possibilities to further accelerate growth in this next phase for the company, together with the management, in both the EU and in the USA, and both organically as well as through acquisitions.”, according to Maurits Boomsma, Partner at Gilde Buy Out Partners.

International sales

In a rapidly growing market which initially was driven by subsidies and now has really opened up due to a decrease in solar energy costs, Esdec focuses on key markets: Benelux, France, the Nordics and USA. In the EU and USA, it has recently hired multiple international sales managers. “Under the leadership of Stijn Vos, Esdec has accomplished a lot. This is apparent in the significant expansion of the (R&D) team, the international expansion that was realized and the move to a new facility, four times the size as the old one. The company is now ready to seize the enormous growth potential in the market. We wish the new shareholder Gilde the best of luck with this next step!” says Hubert Verbeek, Managing Partner Holland Venture. Read more at: http://gilde.com/news/2018/innovation-efforts-pay-off-gilde-buy-out-partners-invests-in-esdec

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PAG to Receive Strategic Minority Investment from Blackstone Fund

Blackstone

New York, March 26, 2018 – Blackstone (NYSE: BX) announced today that its Strategic Capital Holdings Fund has acquired a passive minority stake in PAG, a leading Asia-focused alternative investment firm.

Blackstone’s Strategic Capital Holdings Fund is part of Blackstone Alternative Asset Management (BAAM) and specializes in minority partnerships with leading alternative asset managers.

PAG, based in Hong Kong, is one of the largest independent alternative asset firms in Asia, with more than US$20 billion in capital under management in private equity, absolute return and real estate strategies.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We welcome this investment in our business by Blackstone’s Strategic Capital Holdings Fund, and we appreciate its endorsement of PAG as a best-in-class asset manager,” said PAG Chairman and CEO Weijian Shan. “Our focus on and commitment to creating value for the investors in PAG’s various funds will continue unchanged.”

“As a diversified asset manager operating in an attractive region, we believe PAG is well positioned for growth,” said Scott Soussa, Head of BAAM’s Strategic Capital Group. “The firm’s experienced team of investment professionals, extensive industry relationships, differentiated sourcing networks and disciplined investment approach makes it a compelling investment opportunity for Blackstone.”

ABOUT BLACKSTONE
Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our asset management businesses, with over US$430 billion in assets under management, include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.

ABOUT PAG
PAG is a leading Asia-focused alternative investment firm with funds under management across private equity, real estate and absolute return strategies. PAG delivers value to its investors and portfolio companies by providing a world-class platform and an unparalleled network of local, experienced investment professionals in 10 offices across Asia and around the world. Founded in 2002, PAG currently manages more than US$20 billion in capital for some of the world’s largest institutional investors. For more information, visit www.pagasia.com.

CONTACTS:
Blackstone
Paula Chirhart
+1(212) 583-5011
paula.chirhart@blackstone.com

PAG
Tim Morrison
+852 3719 3375
tmorrison@pag.com

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Exclusive agreement signed for sale of Groupe Bio7 to Cerba Healthcare

Ardian

Paris, March 26, 2018: Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, and the Management and Shareholders of Groupe Bio7, announced today that they have signed an exclusive agreement for the sale of Groupe Bio7, a French-based specialist in clinical analysis, to Cerba HealthCare, a European leader in clinical pathology.

Headed by Frédéric Barroux, biologist, shareholder and founder, Groupe Bio7 is one of the leading multi-location clinical pathology groups in France. With 70 laboratories, the Group has a very strong presence in the Île-de-France region. Since 2016, Bio7 has extended its presence across the rest of France, notably in the Indre-et-Loire and Oise regions.

Groupe Bio7 is expected to generate pro forma revenue in excess of 110 million euros in 2018.

Frédéric Barroux, Chairman of Groupe Bio7, said: “We’re thrilled and very proud to enable Groupe Bio7 to continue to expand and develop. The relationship between Bio7 and Cerba HealthCare, a European leader in clinical pathology, will help our Group to broaden its range of skills and services, while continuing to apply a community-based approach designed to offer the best treatment plans for patients.”

“We deeply thank Ardian for their support and involvement in our strategic planning, their support and encouragement of our ongoing external growth, as well as the financial expertise of their teams, especially with regards to financing. The active involvement of Ardian within our Group has been a significant factor in enabling the business to double in size since 2014.”

François Jerphagnon, Head of the Ardian Expansion team, added: “Groupe Bio7’s sustained growth is testament to the long-term success of the collective and entrepreneurial project undertaken by the Groupe Bio7 teams. As an investor and shareholder, we’re especially pleased with the Group’s growth, driven both by a strong organic development of its sites, and the quality of acquisitions of various sizes identified, carried out and harmoniously integrated within the Group. The partnership with Cerba HealthCare a leading international player in clinical pathology, will ensure that this success is not only continued, but intensified.”

Catherine Courboillet, CEO of Cerba HealthCare, added: “We’re excited to welcome Bio7 to Cerba HealthCare. Under the impetus of Frédéric Barroux, the group’s biologists have built a solid and professional laboratory network. We share their values of quality, respect and innovation, as well as the same vision of the future of medical biology. Together, we’ll continue to build a model of proximity biology and expertise that places the patient at the heart of healthcare.”

LIST OF PARTIES INVOLVED

  • Cerba HealthCare (Catherine Courboillet, Cyril Dubreuil, Jérôme Thill)
  • Groupe Bio7 (Frédéric Barroux, Florence Pajot, Stéphane Konkuyt)
  • Ardian Expansion (François Jerphagnon, Marie Arnaud-Battandier, Arthur de Salins)
  • Partners Group (Christoph Rubeli, Kim Nguyen, Remy Hauser, Christopher Mauss)
  • PSP Investments (Simon Marc, Patrick Daignault, Philippe Bouchard, Mia Morisset)

Advisors:

  • Legal advisor to Cerba HealthCare: Goodwin Procter (Maxence Bloch, William Robert)
  • Legal advisor to Management Groupe Bio7 and Ardian: Latham & Watkins (Olivier du Mottay, Louis Paumier, Marion Lebastard)
  • Financial advisor to Management Groupe Bio7 and Ardian: Hottinguer Corporate Finance (Pierre de Bousingen, Djilali Bou-abdallah, Arthur Gautier)

ABOUT ARDIAN

Ardian is a world-leading private investment house with assets of US$67bn managed or advised in Europe, North America and Asia. The company is majority-owned by its employees. It keeps entrepreneurship at its heart and focuses on delivering excellent investment performance to its global investor base.
Through its commitment to shared outcomes for all stakeholders, Ardian’s activities fuel individual, corporate and economic growth around the world.

Holding close its core values of excellence, loyalty and entrepreneurship, Ardian maintains a truly global network, with more than 490 employees working from 13 offices across Europe (Frankfurt, Jersey, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris and Zurich), North America (New York, San Francisco) and Asia (Beijing, Singapore, Tokyo). It manages funds on behalf of about 700 clients through five pillars of investment expertise: Fund of Funds, Direct Funds, Infrastructure, Real Estate and Private Debt.

Follow Ardian on Twitter @Ardian

www.ardian.com

ABOUT CERBA HEALTHCARE

A European leader in clinical pathology, the group is also involved in three complementary segments:
– local clinical pathology—mainly in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates, through a network of 300 laboratories, 150 sampling centres, and 50 technical facilities;
– specialised clinical pathology—through Laboratoire Cerba, its original laboratory, serving more than 50 countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia;
– central lab testing for clinical trials—essential to the development of new molecules by the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry—through its subsidiaries set up across the 5 continents.
The group recently diversified through the creation of Cerba Vet, securing a position on the market of veterinary clinical pathology and genetics.
Cerba HealthCare has over 4,500 employees, including 430 medical pathologists.
In addition to the biologists and managers of the Group, since April 2017, Cerba HealthCare’s shareholders include the global private markets investment management firm, Partners Group, acting on behalf of its clients, and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments), one of Canada’s largest pension investment managers.
www.cerbahealthcare.com

CONTACTS PRESSE

ARDIAN
Headland
Carl Leijonhufvud

cleijonhufvud@headlandconsultancy.com
Tel: +44 020 3805 4827

PDF version

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The Apax Digital Fund leads $43 million funding round in Wizeline

Funding will drive international expansion and M&A 

Wizeline to continue to support the transformation of the consulting industry with its technology-driven approach

March 26, 2018 — SAN FRANCISCO and NEW YORK— Wizeline, a Silicon Valley-based outsourced product development and technology company, today announced that the company has closed a $43M Series B funding round, led by the Apax Digital Fund, a growth equity fund advised by global private equity advisory firm Apax Partners.

Wizeline builds technology platforms and offers software consulting services to provide transformative technology solutions to its customers. The company was founded in 2014 and has quickly grown to nearly 500 employees globally with year-on-year revenue growth of over 200%. The new funds will be used to accelerate growth through the scaling of development teams, sales & marketing functions, international expansion, and M&A.

Bismarck Lepe, CEO and co-founder of Wizeline, said, “Wizeline has always been focused on helping companies to innovate and to deliver better products to market faster. Software is the new frontier for all businesses, and Wizeline’s approach of marrying global talent with technology platforms allows us to deliver transformative solutions to the largest companies in the world. Tens of millions of people use a Wizeline-designed and developed product every single day.”

“We are very excited to partner with Wizeline, supporting Bismarck and his team to continue to deliver impressive growth,” said Marcelo Gigliani, Managing Partner of Apax Digital. “Wizeline has earned an enviable position in the high-end digital transformation consulting space, through its differentiated product-focused offering, its world-class engineering team, and its growing international roster of blue-chip customers. We aim to leverage Apax’s deep experience investing in leading global IT Services companies to accelerate Wizeline’s growth ambitions.”

The investment in Wizeline is the Apax Funds’ ninth IT Services investment. Notable recent investments include GlobalLogic, ThoughtWorks, EVRY, Engineering, and Zensar. Marcelo Gigliani as well as Bryan Gartner, Principal at Apax Digital, will be joining Wizeline’s Board of Directors as part of this funding.

“Apax brings decades of experience in the consulting services industry, and we believe that they are the right partner to support the organic and inorganic growth of the business,” added Lepe. “In addition to continuing to invest in our core platforms and teams, we will be focused on acquiring API/SDK-driven technologies that can accelerate the development and delivery of solutions for our customers.”

In the last year, Wizeline has doubled headcount and developed a proprietary platform that uses automation and artificial intelligence to make the traditionally complex process of software development more efficient and reliable.

The Apax Digital Fund leads $43 million funding round in Wizeline

About Wizeline
Wizeline is an intelligent software delivery and product company that employs a global network of over 5000 developers and non-technical talent to build engaging customer experiences. Headquartered in San Francisco, Wizeline is committed to collaboration without borders by sharing Silicon Valley innovation with the rest of the world. The company has offices in Guadalajara and Mexico City, Mexico, as well as in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

About Apax Digital
The Apax Digital Fund specializes in growth equity and buyout investments in high-growth enterprise software, internet, and technology-enabled services companies worldwide. Apax Digital leverages Apax’s deep tech investing expertise, global platform, and specialized operating experts, to enable technology companies and their management teams to accelerate the achievement of their full potential. For further information, please visit http://digital.apax.com.

Over its more than 35-year history, Apax Partners has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of over $50 billion. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. For further information about Apax Partners, please visit http://apax.com.

Press contacts:  

Wizeline
Caroline Buck | press@wizeline.com

Apax Partners
Global Media: Andrew Kenny, Apax | +44 20 7 872 6371 | andrew.kenny@apax.com
USA Media: Todd Fogarty, Kekst | +1 212-521 4854 | todd.fogarty@kekst.com
UK Media: Matthew Goodman / James Madsen, Greenbrook | +44 20 7952 2000 | apax@greenbrookpr.com

Nordic Capital continues to strengthen its organisation with appointment of Henrik Johansson as General Counsel

Nordic Capital

Nordic Capital AB today announced that it has appointed Henrik Johansson as its General Counsel, with responsibility for all legal and structure affairs. Henrik is currently a partner at leading Swedish law firm Mannheimer Swartling and will join Nordic Capital later in the year.

Klas Tikkanen, CFO at Nordic Capital AB, commented: “Henrik’s appointment forms part of our strategy to invest in our organisational structure and to develop, broaden and significantly upgrade our in-house legal capabilities. Our Funds have the privilege of working with the best and the brightest advisors, and we felt a need for a senior link into the heart of our commercial work. Mannheimer is a fantastic firm, with whom we have a close and longstanding relationship, and Henrik has personally worked with our team for many years. After an extensive search spanning Stockholm, London and Jersey, it felt very natural to ask him to come and join us in a more permanent capacity.”

Henrik Johansson commented: “Although I feel very fortunate to have spent eleven wonderful years at Mannheimer Swartling, I am at the same time hugely excited about joining Nordic Capital, where I will be able to work with an absolutely world-class team and contribute more fully than I could as a consultant.”

Henrik heads Mannheimer Swartling’s Transaction Structuring Practice, and is a member of the firm’s Mergers & Acquisition, Corporate Taxation, and Private Equity practice groups. He specialises in deal structuring matters, management incentive programmes, co-investments, partner and non-partner structures, fund formation, and similar matters. He works with clients in a wide range of sectors and has a strong focus on private equity. Henrik is ranked as a leading lawyer in Private Equity by Chambers.

Nordic Capital’s team currently comprises 125 people based in Stockholm, London, Jersey, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Luxembourg and Oslo.

 

Media contacts:

Katarina Janerud, Communications Manager
Advisor to the Nordic Capital Funds
Tel: +46 8 440 50 50
e-mail: katarina.janerud@nordiccapital.com

 

About Nordic Capital

Nordic Capital is a leading private equity investor in the Nordic region with a resolute commitment to creating stronger, sustainable businesses through operational improvement and transformative growth. Nordic Capital focuses on selected regions and sectors where it has deep experience and a proven track record. Core sectors are Healthcare, Technology & Payments, Financial Services, Industrial Goods & Services and Consumer & Retail, and key regions are the Nordics, Northern Europe, and globally for Healthcare. Since inception in 1989, Nordic Capital has invested EUR 12 billion through eight funds. The Nordic Capital Funds are based in Jersey and are advised by advisory companies, which are based in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany and the UK. For further information about Nordic Capital, please visit www.nordiccapital.com

Categories: People

Latour acquires Sensortec, an independent Swiss provider of sensors for building automation

Latour logo

Investment AB Latour (publ) has, through its subsidiary Bemsiq AB, acquired Sensortec Holding AG, a leading Swiss company active in sensors and transmitters for building automation. The seller is Mr. Beat Steiner, who is also the CEO of the company. The acquisition further strengthens Bemsiq’s offering in products and services for building automation, and expands the group’s geographical reach.

Sensortec is based in Ins in the canton of Berne, Switzerland. The product range includes a holistic offering of field devices for building automation, but also touchless sensors for door automation systems under the brand SENSIR. The majority of the products are based on own design and proprietary technology, but the portfolio also includes selected third party products from leading suppliers to build a complete offering. The company has 10 employees and annual revenue of CHF 5.3 million in 2017.

“I am happy to welcome Sensortec to the Bemsiq group of companies”, says Pär Arvidsson, CEO for Bemsiq. “We have known the company for many years as Produal’s main partner in Switzerland, and their wide range and high product quality is very appreciated by local system integrators. The acquisition is an important step in our ambition to grow on the international market for building automation.”

“I see Bemsiq and Latour as very good long-term owners of Sensortec”, says Mr. Beat Steiner, CEO and former owner of Sensortec. “We have a strong cultural and operational fit and I see, building on our team and know-how, many exciting opportunities as we join forces, especially in product development and sales.”

Göteborg, 23 March, 2018

INVESTMENT AB LATOUR (PUBL)
Jan Svensson
President and CEO

For further information, please contact:
Pär Arvidsson, CEO Bemsiq AB, +46 70 324 72 53

Bemsiq is a subsidiary of Investment AB Latour’s business area Latour Industries, and forms a group of companies providing innovative products and services for building automation, metering and energy efficiency.

Investment AB Latour is a mixed investment company consisting primarily of a wholly-owned industrial operations and an investment portfolio of listing holdings in which Latour is the principal owner or one of the principal owners. The investment portfolio consists of ten substantial holdings with a market value of about SEK 47 billion. The wholly-owned industrial operations generated a turnover of almost SEK 10 billion in 2017.  

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