Category Archives: News

New standing pouch factory marks strategic turning point for HAK

NPM Capital

HAK´s new factory with a fully automatic and high-quality standing pouch line became operational in late 2018. The canned vegetables manufacturer, which is an NPM Capital portfolio company, introduced beans in standing pouches that were filled externally in late 2015. The company can now scale up to larger volumes and numerous product-market combinations thanks to the new line in Giessen, the Netherlands, which produces standing pouches for the entire product gamut ranging from one-person portions to solutions for large-scale professional use.

The official opening of this line marks a key turning point for HAK on the strategic course it has been following since 2012 based on the mission of: helping people eat more vegetables and legumes. By offering vegetables in jars, standing pouches and supermarket refrigerated sections, HAK can now provide products that are suitable for every type of consumer anytime and anyplace.

HAK has until now had the beans and bean dishes filled in the standing pouches by an external supplier. The introduction of the new fully automatic line gives HAK cost and efficiency advantages and enables it to optimally safeguard quality and control food safety. It also provides it with greater flexibility in terms of the diversity of its products. HAK currently produces more than 95% of its products.

The beans in standing pouches have within a short period of time become hugely popular among a primarily young target group (20-35) and modern diners. HAK has sold more than 12 million standing pouches, representing revenue of around €15 million, since their introduction in 2015. The HAK standing pouches have now also been successfully introduced in Belgium and Germany.

Also read ‘HAK aims to get the Dutch eating more vegetables by introducing eleven new standing pouches’

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Proposed merger between Widex and Sivantos receives final clearance from European Commission

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eqt

  • Merger creates company with combined revenues of more than EUR 1.7bn
  • Transaction expected to close in early March 2019
  • Truly global footprint through comprehensive sales and distribution platform

Singapore and Lynge, Denmark – February 14, 2019: The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the merger between Sivantos Pte. Ltd. (“Sivantos”), owned by EQT funds, and Widex A/S (“Widex”), owned by T&W Medical A/S. Sivantos offers a diverse portfolio of technologically advanced hearing aid products across brands like Signia, Audio Service, Rexton and others. Widex’ portfolio of products includes a range of sophisticated hearing aid technology with a focus on the high-end segment.

The Commission concluded the merger would raise no competition concerns. The merger has already been approved in all other relevant jurisdictions.

“Our goal at Widex has always been to develop the best possible hearing aids to improve the life of those with hearing needs. The merger with Sivantos brings us one step closer to that goal by building a company with one of the strongest research and development resources in the business and the sales channels to ensure our innovative products reach as many people as possible,” said Jan Tøpholm, Chairman of Widex A/S.

“The merger between Widex and Sivantos is a transformative combination and unique opportunity to drive innovation through one of the most dynamic R&D teams in the industry to benefit the more than 700 million people with hearing needs,” said Marcus Brennecke, Global Co-Head of EQT Private Equity.

The newly created company will be a global leader with a presence in more than 125 markets, combined revenues of more than EUR 1.7 billion and more than 10,000 employees worldwide. All Widex and Sivantos brands will continue to operate with separate sales forces and organizations following the combination.

The transaction remains subject to final and customary closing conditions. The parties expect the transaction to close in early March 2019.

This press release is translated into multiple languages for information purposes. In case of a discrepancy, the English version shall prevail. To read this press release in Danish, follow this link.

Contacts
Widex | Andrew Arnold (Corporate Communications): +45 25 65 75 47
Sivantos | Gert van Santen (Corporate Communications): +49 152 028 743 20
EQT | Press office: press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334

About Sivantos Group
The business operations of the former Siemens AG hearing aid division have been combined into the Sivantos Group since early 2015. Sivantos can look back on 140 years of German engineering and countless global innovations. Today Sivantos is one of the leading hearing aid manufacturers worldwide, with brands like Signia, Audio Service, Rexton and others. With its around 6,000 employees, the group recorded revenues of 1100 million euros in the fiscal year 2017/2018 and an adj. EBITDA of 262 million euros. Sivantos’ international sales organization supplies hearing care specialists and sales partners in more than 120 countries. Particularly high value is placed on product development. The owners of Sivantos are the anchor investors EQT along with the Strüngmann family as a co-investor. Sivantos GmbH is a brand license holder of Siemens AG.

More info: www.sivantos.com

About Widex
With more than 60 years’ experience developing state-of-the-art hearing technology, Widex (headquartered in Lynge, Denmark) provides hearing solutions that are easy to use, seamlessly integrated in daily life and enable people to hear naturally. One of the world’s leading hearing aid producers, Widex employs around 4,250 people across sales, manufacturing, operations, distribution and R&D in 38 countries, and its products are sold in 105 countries. The current strategy, introduced in 2018, aims at doubling the business in five years. Widex is owned by the Tøpholm and Westermann families, descendants of the founders.

More info: www.widex.com

About EQT
EQT is a leading investment firm with approximately EUR 50 billion in raised capital across 28 funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 19 billion and approximately 110,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtpartners.com

 

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DIF, CIMIC Group and CAF consortium reaches financial close on Regional Rail PPP

DIF

Sydney, 15 February 2019 – DIF is pleased to announce that the Momentum Trains consortium, comprising DIF Infrastructure V, CIMIC Group companies Pacific Partnerships, UGL and CPB Contractors, and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), has reached financial close on the Regional Rail design, build, finance and maintain project in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

The availability based contract with Transport for NSW includes delivery of a new regional rail fleet, along with a purpose built maintenance facility in Dubbo, New South Wales. The fleet will enter service progressively from 2023 and will deliver a new standard in reliability, safety and comfort for regional and interstate travellers.

Rolling stock manufacturer CAF, will be responsible for building 117 new rail cars which are based on its successful Civity platform. CAF, together with CPB Contractors, will develop the maintenance facility and UGL will be responsible for maintaining the fleet and maintenance facility for the initial 15-year concession.

Wim Blaasse, Managing Partner of DIF, says: “DIF is excited to invest in this significant rolling stock project which will deliver a high quality rail experience for interstate and regional travellers and commuters. This project is the result of our strong relationship with CIMIC Group and CAF.”

Marko Kremer, Partner and DIF’s Head of Australasia adds: “DIF is delighted to be working in partnership with Transport for NSW on this major rolling stock project and contributing to the economic development of regional NSW. This new rolling stock fleet will deliver improved comfort and reliability, and make long distance travel on the east coast of Australia safer, faster and more convenient.”

The Momentum Trains consortium was advised by MUFG (financial) and Herbert Smith Freehills (legal).

About DIF
DIF is an independent infrastructure fund manager, with €5.6 billion of assets under management across seven closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF invests in greenfield and brownfield infrastructure assets located primarily in Europe, North America and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF Infrastructure V targets equity investments in public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, regulated assets and renewable energy projects with long-term contracted or regulated income streams that generate stable and predictable cash flows.
  • DIF Core Infrastructure Fund I targets equity investments in small to mid-sized infrastructure assets and companies in the energy, transportation and telecom sectors with mid-term contracted income streams that generate stable and predictable cash flows.

DIF has over 115 professionals in eight offices, located in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Sydney and Toronto. Please visit www.dif.eu for further information.

DIF contact:

Allard Ruijs,
Partner
a.ruijs@dif.eu

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Kinnevik commits to invest SEK 0.9bn in MatHem and becomes lead shareholder with a 38% stake

Kinnevik

Kinnevik AB (publ) (“Kinnevik”) today announced that it has committed to invest SEK 0.9bn in MatHem, Sweden’s leading independent pure-play online grocery retailer, in a combination of 0.4bn in primary capital and 0.5bn in secondary shares taking Kinnevik’s ownership to 38%.

The Nordic countries have long been held to be leaders in innovation, digital transformation and technological adoption with some of the world’s fastest broadband speeds, highest mobile penetration rates and a track-record of having created the highest number of unicorns per capita in the last decade. Yet in some areas the same Nordic countries are distanced by the true innovators.

Food is one such sector, but we believe that will change as the food sector is about to go through more transformation in the next ten years than it has in the past hundred. The strongest trend is a shift from offline to online, and with our deep understanding of e-commerce and of the digital consumer, we want to be driving this shift.

The benefits for the consumer of food moving online are significant. The online model enables significant time savings by removing travel time to and from stores as well as time spent in store. Today, time is a scarce resource and the potential of saving time will be an increasingly powerful addition to any company’s value proposition. Food can also be an expression of one’s identity, beliefs and desires, as well as a tool for managing wellness. Online food provides the customer with both a wider and deeper assortment as well as fresher food as the number of intermediaries in the value chain is reduced. The online business model can also contribute to us reducing the burden on our planet by cutting waste through better resource management and optimizing transportation.

MatHem is Sweden’s leading independent pure-play online grocery retailer with a strong household brand built over the past ten years. The company can deliver to more than half of the Swedish households and had a turnover of approximately SEK 1.5bn in 2018. Last year MatHem exceeded one million deliveries, highlighting the strategic value of a pure-play online grocery platform with regular and recurring delivery directly to people’s homes. MatHem’s partnership with Clas Ohlson is the first step to efficiently leverage that platform, delivering additional products and services on top of the company’s own food assortment.

Read more about our vision of the food sector and our investments at www.kinnevik.com

Georgi Ganev, CEO of Kinnevik, commented:

“I am proud of our investment in MatHem, our third investment in the Nordic food sector. This is a sector with huge potential given its significant share of household spend, its non-cyclical nature and attractive purchase patterns in terms of frequency and basket size. MatHem has built a strong brand and recently launched an updated platform which places the company in a strong position to continue to capture market shares as the shift to online accelerates within the grocery sector.”

Tomas Kull, Chief Executive Officer of MatHem, added:

“MatHem is ready to take the next step in its growth journey and with Kinnevik’s track-record of building successful digital brands and its insight into the digital consumer space, I believe that we have found the perfect partner. Building on our deep customer relationships, we will continue to develop our assortment and ensure a seamless customer experience to drive growth going forward.”

Closing is conditional on customary regulatory approvals and is expected during the first quarter of 2019.

 

This information is information that Kinnevik AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, at 08.00 CET on 14 February 2019.

For further information, visit www.kinnevik.com or contact:

Torun Litzén, Director Investor Relations
Phone +46 (0)70 762 00 50
Email press@kinnevik.com

Kinnevik is an industry focused investment company with an entrepreneurial spirit. Our purpose is to build digital businesses that provide more and better choice. We do this by working in partnership with talented founders and management teams to create, develop and invest in fast growing businesses in developed and emerging markets. We believe in delivering both shareholder and social value by building companies that contribute positively to society. Kinnevik was founded in 1936 by the Stenbeck, Klingspor and von Horn families. Kinnevik’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm’s list for large cap companies under the ticker codes KINV A and KINV B.

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NSO Group Acquired by its Management

Franciso Partners

PRESS RELEASE – FEBRUARY 14 2019

• The founders and management team of NSO Group, a cyber-technology company headquartered in Luxembourg, acquire the company

• The management team is supported by European private equity firm Novalpina Capital

The management team and founders of NSO Group today announced the acquisition of the company from global private equity firm Francisco Partners.

NSO Group develops technology that helps government intelligence and law enforcement agencies prevent and investigate terrorism and crime to save lives. Established from the combination of Israeli and European cyber technology companies, NSO Group has since become a global leader in providing cyber intelligence and analytics solutions to governments. The company has grown rapidly and finished 2018 with revenues of $250 million, and dozens of licensed customers.

The acquisition is led by NSO Group co-founders Shalev Hulio and Omri Lavie, together with members of the company’s senior executive team. A significant number of employees will participate in the acquisition. The founders and management team are supported in the acquisition by Novalpina Capital, a European private equity firm. Jefferies Group LLC is advising and leading the financing.

Shalev Hulio, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NSO Group, said: “This is an important and significant milestone for NSO. I am proud of what the company and our employees have achieved since we were founded in 2010. Together we have built an amazing technology company that is making the world a safer place. As we look forward, we are delighted that Novalpina is joining as our equity partner. Together we can take NSO Group to the next level, launching new cutting-edge products that help our customers reduce the threats from terrorism and crime. I want to thank Francisco Partners for its tremendous support over the past few years. Its guidance has been instrumental to the success of the company.”

Eran Gorev, Operating Partner at Francisco Partners and Chairman of NSO Group, said: “We are very proud of the company’s contribution to the global war against terrorism and crime, and the many thousands of lives that have been saved thanks to the company’s technology. Since our investment in NSO Group, the company has continued to develop its outstanding technological capabilities and has more than quadrupled in size, while implementing a best-in-class business ethics framework and bringing in independent experts to ensure the company was operating in accordance with the highest ethical standards. We would like to thank all the amazing employees of NSO Group for their incredible contribution to the company and to making the world a safer place, and to wish them a highly successful future.”

Stefan Kowski, Partner at Novalpina Capital, said: “NSO Group has an impressive management team that has developed best-in-class, proprietary technologies sold to approved governments and intelligence agencies to help tackle terrorism and organised crime. We look forward to supporting NSO’s leadership as they continue to grow the business.”

About NSO Group

NSO Group is a global leader in the world of cyber-intelligence, data acquisition and analysis. The company’s mission is to equip select intelligence agencies and law enforcement organizations around the world with strategic, tactical and analytical technological capabilities required to ensure the success of their operations in fighting crime and terrorism.

NSO Group solutions are developed and maintained by a team of cyber-intelligence and cellular-communication experts who operate at the forefront of their fields. Their designs constantly evolve to keep pace with an ever-changing cyber world.

NSO Group is committed to the proper use of its technology to help governments strengthen public safety and protect against major security threats. NSO Group’s advanced intelligence solutions are used globally and play a major role in preventing terror activities, combating human trafficking and the war on drugs.

About Francisco Partners

Francisco Partners is a leading global private equity firm that specializes in investments in technology and technology-enabled services businesses. Since its launch over 18 years ago, Francisco Partners has raised over $14 billion in capital and invested in more than 200 technology companies, making it one of the most active and longstanding investors in the technology industry. The firm invests in opportunities where its deep sectoral knowledge and operational expertise can help companies realize their full potential. For more information on Francisco Partners, please visit www.franciscopartners.com

About Novalpina Capital

Novalpina Capital is an independent European private equity firm that invests in middle market companies. The Firm was founded by Stephen Peel, Stefan Kowski and Bastian Lueken in 2017. The founding partners bring more than 50 years of combined experience in private equity investing, having held senior positions in the European operations of firms including TPG, Centerbridge and Platinum Equity, and worked together for nearly a decade at TPG.

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KKR to Present at the Citi 2019 Asset Managers, Broker Dealers & Exchanges Conference

KKR

02.14.19
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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 14, 2019– KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR) announced today that William J. Janetschek, Chief Financial Officer, and Craig Larson, Head of Investor Relations, will present at the Citi 2019 Asset Managers, Broker Dealers & Exchanges Conference on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 10:25 AM ET.

A live audio webcast of the presentation will be available on the Investor Center section of KKR’s website at http://ir.kkr.com/kkr_ir/kkr_events.cfm. For those unable to listen to the live audio webcast, a replay will be available on the website shortly after the event.

Any questions regarding the webcast may be addressed to KKR’s Investor Relations group at investor-relations@kkr.com.

ABOUT KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate and credit, with strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns for its fund investors by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation with KKR portfolio companies. KKR invests its own capital alongside the capital it manages for fund investors and provides financing solutions and investment opportunities through its capital markets business. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

Source: KKR & Co. Inc.

Investor Relations:
Craig Larson
Tel: +1 (877) 610-4910 (U.S.) / +1 (212) 230-9410
investor-relations@kkr.com

Media:
Kristi Huller or Cara Major
Tel: + 1 (212) 750-8300
media@kkr.com

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EURAZEO brands strengthens its european strategy with a new team in Paris

Eurazeo

Paris, February 14th, 2019 – Eurazeo Brands, Eurazeo’s investment division dedicated to fast growing consumer brands, has built a new team in Paris to lead the investment strategy in Europe, with the appointment of Laurent Droin as Managing Director, and Célia Nataf as Senior Associate.
Laurent Droin brings extensive consumer, retail and luxury expertise, having worked for 20 years in the industry in both corporate and advisory roles. Prior to joining Eurazeo, he spent 10 years at BNP Paribas as a Managing Director focused on mergers and acquisitions. He was most recently based in New York, where he successfully rebuilt the bank’s consumer franchise, focusing on beauty, personal care, and apparel. Previously, he spent nine years at Danone in various strategic and operational roles in France, Argentina and Russia. This brand enthusiast has been personally investing alongside successful entrepreneurs for many years.

Célia Nataf is joining the Eurazeo Brands team in Paris and will be responsible for sourcing, executing and monitoring European investments. She previously spent five years as part of Eurazeo Capital, specializing in the consumer, retail and luxury industries. She participated in the creation of Carambar & Co, a European carve-out in the branded food industry, and in the structuring and monitoring of Planet, a global tax free and payment company. Prior to Eurazeo, she worked in the mergers and acquisitions team at Barclays Capital in Paris, where she carried out assignments for investment funds and industrial players.

Eurazeo Brands’ mission is to invest a total of $800 million in high potential North American and European consumer companies with differentiated brands across a wide range of verticals including beauty, fashion, home, wellness, food and beverage, and leisure. The firm partners with visionary founders and strong management teams to drive transformational growth and accelerate value creation by leveraging Eurazeo’s unique capabilities. Investments to date include Pat McGrath Labs and Nest Fragrances. The founders of these companies selected Eurazeo Brands due to its sector and operating expertise, proven track record building brands, and extensive international reach with offices across four continents. These new appointments will enable Eurazeo Brands to be the investment partner of choice for aspirational, consumer driven companies in Europe seeking value-added capital to develop their businesses globally.

About Eurazeo
Eurazeo is a leading global investment company, with a diversified portfolio of €17 billion in assets under
management, including nearly €11 billion from third parties, invested in over 300 companies. With its
considerable private equity, venture capital, real estate, private debt and fund of funds expertise, Eurazeo
accompanies companies of all sizes, supporting their development through the commitment of its 235
professionals and by offering deep sector expertise, a gateway to global markets, and a responsible and stable
foothold for transformational growth. Its solid institutional and family shareholder base, robust financial
structure free of structural debt, and flexible investment horizon enable Eurazeo to support its companies over
the long term. Eurazeo has offices in Paris, New York, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Shanghai, London,
Luxembourg, Frankfurt and Madrid.

• Eurazeo is listed on Euronext Paris.
• ISIN: FR0000121121 – Bloomberg: RF FP – Reuters: EURA.PA
***
EURAZEO CONTACTS CONTACT PRESSE
CAROLINE COHEN
HEAD OF INVESTOR RELATIONS
E-mail: ccohen@eurazeo.com
Tél: +33 (0)1 44 15 16 76
VIRGINIE CHRISTNACHT

HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
E-mail: vchristnacht@eurazeo
Tél: +33 (0)1 44 15 76 44
MAITLAND / AMO
David Stürken
E-mail: dsturken@maitland.co.uk
Tél: +44 (0) 20 7395 0450
For more information, please visit the Group’s website : www@eurazeo.com
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3i supports merger of International Cruise & Excursions and SOR Technology

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3I

3i Group plc (“3i”) announced today that International Cruise & Excursion (“ICE”), a global provider of technology-based, travel-related loyalty solutions in which 3i invested in June 2018, is merging with SOR Technology (“SOR”). As part of the transaction, 3i is investing an additional $24m of equity in ICE.

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Schneider and Elliot Springer, SOR has developed a web-based travel technology platform that can be customised to the needs of its clients and users.  The platform was built to showcase travel inventory from worldwide travel suppliers, providing end user customers access to substantial savings on hotels, resorts, cruises, vacation homes, car rentals, flights and leisure activities.  The SOR platform services B2B clients and consumers worldwide and is available in 17 languages and 44 currencies.

Both ICE and SOR are committed to providing innovative technology-based loyalty and reward solutions for the delivery of travel and leisure.  The combination of the two companies will provide valuable enhancements to their global network of travel suppliers, their B2B partners and their customers globally.  John Rowley, will remain as CEO of the combined enterprise.  Kevin Schneider and Elliot Springer will join ICE’s senior leadership team and become shareholders in the business.

John Rowley, CEO and co-founder of ICE, commented:

“Our partnership with SOR will improve our ability to offer our brand partners and their members functionality to browse and book travel in 17 languages and 44 currencies. As a combined enterprise, we will be better positioned to serve the members of our respective B2B customers on a global basis, while greatly accelerating ICE’s ability to grow and support international markets.”

Kevin Schneider, CEO and co-founder of SOR, commented:

“Combining ICE’s global scale, strong service capabilities and expertise in cruise and lifestyle products with SOR’s customizable travel platform and expertise in hotel bookings will enable us to offer our customers a complete travel and loyalty solution, including the greatest savings across all travel and leisure offerings. Elliot and I are excited to join the ICE leadership team to drive our combined business and accelerate the next phase of its growth.”

Andrew Olinick, Partner, 3i Private Equity, added:

“ICE and SOR have highly complementary strengths in cruise and hotel bookings, respectively. The addition of SOR augments ICE’s hotel platform capabilities, including strong international market support, further improving its growth prospects while diversifying its client base and revenue model. SOR has a strong management team led by the two founders and we are excited to work with them on the future development and integration of the two companies.”

-ENDS-

Download this press release   

 

For further information, contact:

3i Group plc

 

Silvia Santoro

Investor enquiries

 

Kathryn van der Kroft

Media enquiries

 

  

 

Tel: +44 20 7975 3258

Email: silvia.santoro@3i.com

 

Tel: +44 20 7975 3021

Email: kathryn.vanderkroft@3i.com

 

 

Notes to editors:

 

About 3i Group

3i is a leading international investment manager focused on mid-market private equity and infrastructure. Its core investment markets are northern Europe and North America. For further information, please visit: www.3i.com.

 

About ICE

International Cruise & Excursion, Inc. (ICE) is a leading international leisure travel and lifestyle benefits organisation with a global network of premier corporate, leisure and affinity-based alliance partners.

ICE is a market maker and global provider of travel, leisure-based loyalty and reward programmes. Leveraging the innate power and appeal of vacations and unique leisure-related products and services, ICE provides travel-based benefit programmes to millions of consumers, with scalable travel and loyalty solutions for some of the world’s most respected brands. ICE is unmatched in delivering travel, leisure and lifestyle products and services through powerful marketing and technology solutions. ICE creates and manages customised B2B2C and B2C vacation and leisurecentric programmes, supported in more than 21 languages, from nine global offices in the US, UK, Europe, India, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.

Cruise_63404470.jpg

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EQT acquires Kodiak Gas Services, LLC

eqt

  • EQT Infrastructure has acquired Kodiak Gas Services, LLC, the fastest-growing and largest privately held contract compression business providing critical compression equipment in the US
  • Kodiak benefits from attractive long-term market dynamics, including growing US oil and gas production, increased centralization of compression needs and growing utilization of large compression to drive improved margins
  • EQT Infrastructure will support Kodiak’s growth with existing and new customers and will support the Company’s continued operational improvement by providing deep sector expertise in the Energy sector and Midstream end markets as well as its network of Industrial Advisors

The EQT Infrastructure III fund (“EQT” or “EQT Infrastructure”) today announced that it has acquired Kodiak Gas Services, LLC (”Kodiak” or the “Company”) from The Stephens Group, LLC, a private investment firm representing the interests of Witt Stephens, Jr. and Elizabeth Campbell. Kodiak will maintain its corporate headquarters in Houston, Texas, under the continued leadership of President Mickey McKee, CEO David Marrs, and the Kodiak management team. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 2011, Kodiak is the largest privately owned contract compression company in the US; providing necessary compression equipment for the extraction of oil and transportation of natural gas in the United States. With over 1,130,000 revenue generating horsepower (“HP”) deployed across key basins, Kodiak has a differentiated offering focused on exceptional customer service and technical performance. Kodiak leverages its scale, multi-decade operational experience, strong customer relationships and leading data analytics and integration to deliver best in class service and mechanical availability.

EQT will support Kodiak in its next phase of development as the Company focuses on continued expansion with existing and new customers, further strengthening its technology platform and enhancing the Company’s service offering. Moreover, EQT will leverage its bench of Industrial Advisors with extensive experience in the Energy and Midstream sectors to enhance growth and operational efficiencies.

Alex Darden, Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure, commented: “Kodiak’s differentiated service offering, strong commitment to customers and critical infrastructure at every juncture in the oil and gas value chain make the Company unique in their industry, embodying EQT Infrastructure’s approach of targeting high-quality, industry leading, stable businesses with transformation potential. We are impressed with Kodiak’s continued transformation through data implementation and strong growth and believe that the Company’s ambition and people will continue to have positive impacts going forward. We are excited to help build and shape the next phase of development for Kodiak and look forward to working with such a talented group of people and outstanding executive management team who share the same culture, values and drive as EQT.”

“We are extremely excited to be partnering with EQT to continue to grow Kodiak as the premier provider of contract compression services in the US. EQT brings a wealth of knowledge to our partnership and together, we will create a platform to continue to attract the best customers, in the best basins, to provide the highest level of contract compression services in the business,” commented Mickey McKee, President of Kodiak. “With our focus on the essential, large horsepower infrastructure-type compression applications, coupled with our relentless commitment to runtime and customer service, Kodiak is well-positioned to continue to profitably grow and take market share.”

“The EQT Team understands the critical nature of contract compression in serving our nation’s energy infrastructure. EQT’s partnership with Kodiak will allow us to continue achieving industry leading profitability and growth rates while continuing to provide the best service in the industry,” commented David Marrs, CEO of Kodiak. “EQT has made a substantial commitment to Kodiak and we are very excited to continue this path with their support, vast industry experience and knowledge.”

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as legal advisor to EQT Infrastructure. Jefferies LLC served as exclusive financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal counsel to Kodiak.

Contact
Alex Darden, Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure, +1 917 281 0840

US inquiries: Stephanie Greengarten, +1 646 687 6810, stephanie.greengarten@eqtpartners.com

International inquiries: EQT Press Office, +46 8 506 55, 334, press@eqtpartners.com

About EQT
EQT is a leading investment firm founded in 1994, with more than EUR 50 billion in raised capital across 28 funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 19 billion and approximately 110,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership. 

More info: www.eqtpartners.com

About Kodiak Gas Services, LLC
Founded in 2011, Kodiak is a market-leading provider of contract compression and related services for the oil and gas industry in North America. Servicing the producers in both the upstream and midstream segments of the value chain, Kodiak provides 24/7 access to technical and mechanical support backed by a 98% mechanical availability guarantee. With over 285 employees, Kodiak provides services in the Permian, Eagle Ford, Scoop/Stack and other basins of the United States with its headquarters located in Houston, Texas.

More info: www.kodiakgas.com

About The Stephens Group, LLC
The Stephens Group is a private investment firm that partners with talented management teams to help build valuable businesses. Backed by the resources of the Stephens family, it has a long history of providing sophisticated, strategic expertise and taking a partnership approach to help companies successfully achieve their strategic visions and build long-term value. With over $1 billion invested since 2006, The Stephens Group targets investments in industries across the U.S., including industrial and commercial products and services, specialty distribution, technology infrastructure and tech-enabled services, B2B food and consumer products, as well as select opportunistic situations.

More info: www.stephensgroup.com

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Quimper declares the offer for Ahlsell unconditional, will acquire all tendered shares

On 11 December 2018, Quimper AB (a company that has been or will be indirectly invested in by CVC Funds) (“Quimper”)1, announced a public cash offer to the shareholders in Ahlsell AB (publ) (“Ahlsell” or the “Company”) to tender all their shares in Ahlsell to Quimper (the “Offer”). The offer document regarding the Offer was made public on 19 December 2018.

The shares tendered in the Offer at the end of the initial acceptance period on 11 February 2019, together with the shares already held or otherwise controlled by Quimper, and closely related parties, amount to in aggregate 403,296,725 shares in Ahlsell, corresponding to approximately 93.9 percent2 of the share capital and the voting rights in Ahlsell.

Quimper hereby announces that all conditions for completion of the Offer have been fulfilled. Accordingly, the Offer is declared unconditional in all respects and Quimper will complete the acquisition of the shares tendered in the Offer. Settlement for shares tendered in the Offer during the initial acceptance period will take place in accordance with previously communicated plan, i.e. around 19 February 2019.

To provide the remaining shareholders of Ahlsell who have not tendered their shares time to accept the Offer, the acceptance period will be open beyond the end of the initial acceptance period, until 27 February 2019 at 15.00 (CET). Settlement for shares tendered in the Offer during the additional acceptance period is expected to start around 7 March 2019. Quimper reserves the right to further extend the acceptance period for the Offer.

Prior to announcement of the Offer, Quimper, and closely related parties, held in aggregate 109,578,323 shares in Ahlsell, corresponding to approximately 25.1 percent3 of the share capital and the voting rights in Ahlsell. At the end of the initial acceptance period on 11 February 2019, the Offer had been accepted by shareholders representing in total 293,718,402 shares in Ahlsell, corresponding to approximately 68.4 percent4 of the share capital and the voting rights in Ahlsell.

Quimper does not hold any financial instruments that give financial exposure to Ahlsell shares and has not acquired any such shares or financial instruments outside the Offer.

Quimper will initiate compulsory acquisition of the remaining shares in Ahlsell as well as promote a delisting of Ahlsell’s shares from Nasdaq Stockholm.

1 Quimper is a newly formed entity that has been or will be indirectly invested in by funds or vehicles (“CVC Funds”) advised by CVC Advisers Company (Luxembourg) S.à r.l. and/or its affiliates. “CVC” means CVC Advisers Company (Luxembourg) S.à r.l. and its affiliates, together with CVC Capital Partners SICAV-FIS S.A. and each of its subsidiaries.

2 Based on all 436,302,187 outstanding shares in Ahlsell, excluding the 7,000,000 shares which are held by Ahlsell in treasury.

3 Based on all 436,302,187 outstanding shares in Ahlsell, including the 7,000,000 shares which are held by Ahlsell in treasury.

4 Based on all 436,302,187 outstanding shares in Ahlsell, excluding the 7,000,000 shares which are held by Ahlsell in treasury.

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