Category Archives: News

CapMan Growth together with the consortium announces a public tender offer for all the shares in Innofactor Plc

Capman

CapMan Growth together with the consortium announces a public tender offer for all the shares in Innofactor Plc

The CapMan Growth Equity III fund and Innofactor’s founder, main shareholder and long-time CEO Sami Ensio, through his company Ensio Investment Group Ltd, have formed a consortium for a voluntary, recommended public cash tender offer for all shares issued by Innofactor Oyj. Osprey Capital Ltd is involved in the consortium as a co-investor.

Innofactor offers IT services, such as design services for critical IT solutions, delivery projects, implementation support and maintenance services with the Microsoft ecosystem solutions. The company also develops its own software and services. Innofactor is a respected and strong partner for about 1,000 private and public sector organizations in the Nordic countries. In 2023, Innofactor’s net sales was around 80 million euros and EBITDA was around 9 million euros.

With the experience and versatile resources offered by CapMan Growth and Sami Ensio’s company and industry knowledge, the consortium has exceptional operational experience and know-how to further develop Innofactor ‘s operations and grow the business.

”As a strategic partner, CapMan Growth provides the company with extensive experience in developing IT service companies and a range of resources to accelerate Innofactor’s growth strategy, particularly through acquisitions, as well as a stable and secure domestic owner for the demanding Nordic customer base. I am excited about the opportunity to develop the company together with the company’s founder Sami Ensio”, says Antti Kummu, Managing Partner of CapMan Growth.

As a private company, Innofactor would be able to better focus on its customers, innovations and the implementation of the growth strategy, as well as obtain more flexible financing opportunities.

”I have acted as the CEO of Innofactor during its almost 15 years as a listed company and, in my view, while being a listed company has brought about many positive things to Innofactor, it has also limited Innofactor’s growth and profit potential due to, among others, increased reporting obligations and low liquidity in shares. After careful consideration and exploring a wide range of options, I believe that the current tender offer, supported by CapMan Growth, is the best option for Innofactor ‘s future and its existing shareholders. I am very committed to continue leading the company and to executing its growth strategy. At the same time, I will increase my ownership stake in the company if the public tender offer is completed”, says Sami Ensio, main shareholder of Innofactor and member of the consortium.

Osprey Capital Ltd is involved in the consortium as a co-investor. Osprey Capital Ltd is an investment company founded in 2014 and owned by Timo Larjomaa, a Senior Advisor of CapMan Growth, and his family. Osprey Capital invests e.g. in IT-companies and private equity funds.

CapMan Growth is the leading Finnish growth investor making investments in entrepreneur-led growth companies with revenues ranging between €10–200 million euros. CapMan Growth offers entrepreneurs an alternative to selling the majority of their business by facilitating a partial exit while also supporting growth and internationalisation. CapMan Growth has been part of building companies such as Coronaria, Cloud2, Digital Workforce, Fennoa, Fluido, Neural DSP, Picosun, Sofigate, Silmäasema and Unikie.

For further information, please contact:

Antti Kummu, Managing Partner, CapMan Growth, +358 50 432 4486

About CapMan

CapMan is a leading Nordic private asset expert with an active approach to value creation and €5.7 billion in assets under management. As one of the private equity pioneers in the Nordics we have developed hundreds of companies and assets creating significant value for over three decades. Our objective is to provide attractive returns and innovative solutions to investors by enabling change across our portfolio companies. An example of this is greenhouse gas reduction targets that we have set under the Science Based Targets initiative in line with the 1.5°C scenario and our commitment to net-zero GHG emissions by 2040. We have a broad presence in the unlisted market through our local and specialised teams. Our investment strategies cover real estate and infrastructure assets, natural capital and minority and majority investments in portfolio companies. We also provide wealth management solutions. Our service business includes procurement services. Altogether, CapMan employs around 200 professionals in Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, London and Luxembourg. We are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki since 2001. www.capman.com

Innofactor

Innofactor is the leading driver of the modern digital organization in the Nordic Countries for its about 1,000 customers in commercial and public sector. Innofactor has the widest solution offering and leading know-how in the Microsoft ecosystem in the Nordics. Innofactor has about 600 enthusiastic and motivated top specialists in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. For more information: www.innofactor.com

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Platinum Equity Completes Sale of Hunterstown Power

Platinum

LOS ANGELES (July 19, 2024) – Platinum Equity announced today that the sale of the Hunterstown power generation facility and related assets to LS Power has been completed.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the Hunterstown facility is a combined-cycle gas turbine generating power plant that provides 810 MW to the PJM (Met-Ed) 500kV grid, with enough to supply more than 600,000 homes.

“Hunterstown is a good example of how Platinum can use its playbook to create value in different ways,” said Platinum Equity Co-President Louis Samson. “The Hunterstown facility is an outstanding asset, with high free cash flow and strong recurring revenue, acquired from a seller that needed a divestiture solution during a time of distress, so it checked a lot of the boxes we typically look for. Our experience with corporate carveouts and our willingness to be open minded put us in position to help.”

Platinum Equity acquired the facility in 2018 from GenOn, a unit of NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE: NRG), which had filed for bankruptcy protection in June 2017, and managed it as a standalone business in the firm’s portfolio.

“Hunterstown performed well and benefited from meaningful investment and operational oversite during our ownership,” said Platinum Equity Managing Director David Glatt. “We then found a new home for the facility with a buyer who is a natural fit for the long term. We are proud of the outcome and will continue seeking opportunities to put our M&A capabilities to work in creative ways.”

Evercore served as financial advisor to Platinum Equity on the sale of Hunterstown and Latham & Watkins LLP provided legal counsel to Platinum Equity.

About Platinum Equity

Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with more than $48 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 50 operating companies that serve customers around the world. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 28 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 450 acquisitions.

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Stoneweg and Bain Capital Sell Casa Lit Barcelona Hotel

BainCapital

Stoneweg and Bain Capital Sell Casa Lit Barcelona Hotel

LONDON and BARCELONA, SPAIN – July 22, 2024 – Stoneweg, the real estate investment company, and Bain Capital, the global private equity firm, through their hotel real estate joint venture, have sold the Casa Lit Barcelona hotel to Grupo Hoteles Gargallo.

Situated in the heart of Barcelona just 400 metres from Las Ramblas, the [4*] hotel was constructed in 2010 on the site of the former Colón theatres. It comprises 89 rooms, blending historic charm with contemporary design. Since taking over the management in 2022, Stoneweg Hospitality has delivered a successful renovation and introduced the Casa Lit brand (previously Acta Mimic hotel), infusing it with a fresh and innovative style. The property has been managed by the Ona Hotels chain.

Benefitting from its proximity to Barcelona’s main tourist and cultural attractions, the hotel has become increasingly popular with tourists, business travelers, and meeting attendees, which has underpinned its very strong its operational performance.

The acquisition of Casa Lit Barcelona by the Gargallo Hotels Group marks a significant expansion for the chain, reinforcing Gargallo’s position in the competitive Barcelona market with a commitment to excellence and innovation in the hospitality sector.

Miguel Casas, Managing Director of Stoneweg Hospitality, commented” We are very proud to have owned and managed Casa Lit Barcelona and to have contributed to its success. We have every confidence that the sale to Grupo Hoteles Gargallo, a dynamic and fast growing operator, will see a continuation of what is currently an exceptional guest experience in the economy segment, under a management committed to quality.”

Francisco Bello, Operating Partner, from Bain Capital added: “This transaction is a testament to our focus on creating value through strategic investments in high-quality real estate assets. We are confident that Grupo Hoteles Gargallo will take the hotel to new heights.”

Xenia Gargallo Gay, Managing Director of Grupo Hotelero Gargallo, said: “We are delighted to add Casa Lit Barcelona to our portfolio, bringing our total number of hotels in Barcelona to eleven and reinforcing our leadership in the iconic Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona. This hotel aligns perfectly with our vision of offering exceptional accommodations in key locations. We look forward to continuing its legacy of excellence and providing an unforgettable experience for our guests.”

The integration of Casa Lit Barcelona into the Grupo Hoteles Gargallo stable is scheduled for next month, with plans for its immediate incorporation into the chain’s offerings and quality standards.

About Bain Capital Credit 

Bain Capital Credit (www.baincapitalcredit.com) is a leading global credit specialist with approximately $52 billion in assets under management. Bain Capital Credit invests across a full spectrum of strategies, including leveraged loans, high-yield bonds, distressed debt and special situations, private lending, structured products, non-performing loans, special situations real estate and majority and minority equity stakes. Founded in 1998 as a private, employee-owned firm, Bain Capital Credit’s experienced team of over 150 investment professionals seeks to identify attractive equity and credit investment opportunities across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. In addition to credit, Bain Capital invests across asset classes including private equity, public equity, real estate and venture capital, and leverages the firm’s shared platform to capture opportunities in strategic areas of focus.

About Stoneweg

Stoneweg (www.stoneweg.com) is a real estate investment adviser and asset manager established in 2015 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The firm leverages in-house local operational teams to source, develop and manage real estate investments. To date, Stoneweg has executed and advised on almost €5 billion of real estate investments across different sectors including developments. Stoneweg expertise includes both equity and debt strategies, advising its client base of financial institutions and family offices across a range of structures including club deals, joint ventures, co-investments and funds. The firm’s investment philosophy is driven by a bottom-up approach to project selection, utilising Stoneweg’s own teams on the ground and deep networks to seize the best opportunities. Stoneweg has a dedicated presence in Switzerland, the United States, Spain, Italy, Andorra and Ireland, enabling many of the operational aspects of the firm’s investments to be carried out in house and locally. Stoneweg has completed more than 300 acquisitions alongside best-in-class partners since 2015.

About Grupo Hotelero Gargallo

Grupo Hotelero Gargallo is a Spanish hotel chain with more than 60 years of experience in the sector. With an outstanding presence in Barcelona and other key cities in Aragon such as Huesca or Teruel, the chain is characterized by its commitment to quality and customer service with a total of 20 hotel establishments. Currently the Hotel Group Gargallo, in its third generation, is immersed in a process of renewal of its strategic vision led by Xenia Gargallo Gay, in her capacity as administrator, characterized by a commitment to the family legacy appropriate to the new times, highlighting the attractive heritage of the Group with several of its hotel establishments located in emblematic and historic buildings and always with a clear philosophy of service and prioritization of the customer experience.

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Accountor And Vitruvian Announce KKR Investment To Support Next Chapter Of Growth

KKR

Finland, 19 July 2024: Accountor Software, a leading provider of mission critical business software in Finland and Sweden, and selling majority shareholder Vitruvian Partners, today announced that KKR, a leading global investment firm, has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Accountor. Financial terms of the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, were not disclosed. Vitruvian Partners have retained an option to re-invest into Accountor.

Accountor Software provides cloud financial management and human capital software to over 130,000 customers in the Nordics. Customers of Accountor use its solutions in a wide range of use cases including automating accounting workflows, processing invoices, keeping a record of employee data and digitizing payroll. Accountor serves its customers directly as well as via a leading network of accounting offices and partners. It has a track record of strong performance with 10 years of uninterrupted growth at 19% CAGR and revenues of €132m for the year to May 2024.

Under Vitruvian ownership, Accountor has undergone a programme of long-term growth investment and strategic product portfolio evolution, which recently reached a conclusion with the sale of Accountor’s outsourcing business to Aspia. As a result, Accountor now holds a unique position as the leading pure-play business software champion in Finland and Sweden, with ample growth opportunities across the Nordic region and beyond. Going forward, Accountor will leverage KKR’s expertise in scaling high-growth software companies to enhance its value proposition for customers in Finland and expand internationally. KKR will also work with the company to implement a broad-based employee ownership program to help further motivate and engage the Accountor team to accelerate its growth.

Mikko Soirola, CEO of Accountor Software, commented: “We are delighted to welcome KKR as our new strategic partner. KKR is one of oldest, largest and most successful global investment firms and its investment in Accountor is a testament to our track record of achieving profitable growth through delivering world class and mission critical solutions to our customers. We are grateful for the active and invaluable support we have received from Vitruvian over the last couple of years in accelerating our growth journey to become one of the leading financial and HR management software businesses in the Nordics. We look forward to continuing our journey with KKR’s support”.

 

Jussi Wuoristo, Partner at Vitruvian Partners, added: “We are very pleased with the exceptionally strong development that the Accountor management and employees have achieved over the years. Since our investment, Accountor has multiplied in size and become a leading software business through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions as well as select divestments. Accountor’s growth over the past years has been truly remarkable and we look forward to following their continued success.”

 

Hans Arstad, Managing Director and Head of Private Equity in the Nordics, said: “We are excited to back Accountor Software on their continued growth journey. We have been impressed with the company’s strong standing in the Finnish market, and see significant potential to expand that across the Nordics and beyond. We look forward to supporting the company going forward.”

KKR brings significant expertise in scaling SaaS businesses and European software providers focused on SMEs, with a strong track record of working with management teams to deliver growth. KKR’s investment in Accountor builds on a track record of supporting category leading European software companies including Cegid, Contabo, Darktrace, Exact, Körber Supply Chain Software, and Visma.

KKR has been investing in the Nordics since 2007 and opened an office in Stockholm in 2021. KKR has deployed over €6bn of equity into businesses with more than €30bn combined Enterprise Value, including leading Nordics businesses such as Söderberg & Partners, Sector Alarm and Visma, supporting their wider expansion in the region and internationally. KKR is making the investment in Accountor through its European Fund VI.

 

About Accountor

Accountor specialises in cloud financial management and human capital software. Our mission is to help our customers use the possibilities of modern technology and digitalization in their everyday work. Accountor is a participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. The group’s headquarters is in Espoo, Finland.

About Vitruvian Partners

Vitruvian is a leading international investment firm with nine offices in Europe, the USA and Asia. Vitruvian focuses on dynamic situations characterized by rapid growth and change across industries. Vitruvian has backed over 80 companies and has assets under management of over €15 billion. Notable investments include global market leaders and innovators in their field such as Just Eat, EasyPark, CRF Health, Farfetch, Darktrace, Trustpilot, Marqeta, TransferWise, Skyscanner and others. Vitruvian has a strong presence in the Nordics with a Stockholm office established in 2011 and a track record of fifteen investments across the region, including Accountor, Benify, CRF Health, Easypark, Just Eat and Trustpilot. For more information, visit www.vitruvianpartners.com.

 

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing worldclass people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKRs website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.

 

Accountor

Katarina Ylikorkala
katarina.ylikorkala@finago.com
+358503870635

 

 

Vitruvian Partners

Siobhan Loftus

siobhan.loftus@vitruvianpartners.com

 

KKR

Alastair Elwen / Jack Shelley

FGS Global

+44 20 7251 3801

KKR-LON@fgsglobal.com

 

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RECO enters the next phase of growth with Parcom

Parcom

The Reigwein family and investment company Parcom have reached an agreement regarding the acquisition of RECO, a specialist in equipment rental for the professional market. In partnership with Parcom, RECO’s management aims to continue its current growth strategy and company culture. In the coming years, the company will focus on sustainable growth within the equipment rental market, aiming to become the go-to partner for all equipment-related needs of its professional clients. The acquisition will not lead to changes for employees, customers, suppliers, and partners.

RECO is a Dutch family business based in Koudekerk aan den Rijn with 280 employees. RECO has been the specialist in equipment rental for the professional market for over 70 years. RECO offers an extensive portfolio of rental equipment to various sectors, including construction, rail & infrastructure, maritime, and events. RECO’s proposition focuses on unburdening customers by providing technical advice and other complementary services. As a family business, RECO values personal communication and fast decision-making, hereby ensuring reliability for its customers.

RECO has ambitious plans for the future. After 70 successful years under the leadership of the Reigwein family, both the family and the current management believe it is time for the next phase of growth. Parcom paves the way for further expansion of RECO’s current proposition within the Netherlands and the UK, as well as acquisitive growth. This partnership provides the opportunity to further invest in new product groups for the professional market, further geographic expansion within the Netherlands and the UK, and establish a leading position as a provider of sustainable solutions in (temporary) energy supply.

The RECO Lift Solutions business unit in Waddinxveen, which focuses on rental activities of temporary passenger lifts, emergency lifts, and stairlifts, will not be transferred to Parcom. This business unit, with approximately 30 employees, will continue its operations under Robin Reigwein.

Robin Reigwein, RECO: “I have great confidence in Parcom as partner for RECO in its next phase of growth. The input and experience of the Parcom team will be a valuable addition to the management team. Parcom recognizes the strength of RECO’s dynamic and responsive family-oriented culture and aims to preserve the culture in the future. I will remain actively involved in RECO Lift Solutions and look forward to capitalizing on international opportunities with the team, while maintaining close cooperation with RECO.”

Willem-Jan Merckel, Parcom: “We are very pleased to invest in RECO and become a partner of the management team. We are impressed by RECO’s development since its founding under the Reigwein family. The company offers a unique proposition to its professional clients based on unburdening clients of its equipment-related matters. We look forward to supporting the company in its further development.”

Financial details of the transaction will not be disclosed. The transaction is amongst others subject to approval by The Dutch Competition Authority (Autoriteit Consument & Markt).

About RECO

RECO is a dynamic and successful family business and has been a specialist in equipment rental for over 70 years, serving sectors such as construction, rail & infrastructure, and events. RECO combines equipment rental with technical advice and additional services to its clients such as design & calculation, transport and assembly. Through expert advice and an extensive product range, RECO provides a complete solution for any project. RECO operates with approximately 280 employees in the Netherlands and the UK. Although the RECO philosophy has remained unchanged over the years, the company has grown to become the go-to partner for equipment rental in the Dutch market. More information: www.reco.eu.

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Green Mobility Holding Acquires Ubike, A Leading (E-)Bike Leasing Provider in Belgium

Rivean
  • Second acquisition in Belgium
  • Further step towards internationalization with support from Rivean Capital
  • With the French-speaking team of Ubike, Green Mobility Holding is meeting customer needs in multilingual Belgium

19 July 2024

Munich/Brussels. Green Mobility Holding (GMH), one of the leading technology-based (e-)bike leasing providers in Europe, continues its course of internationalization and acquires Ubike, one of the market leaders in Belgium.
Ubike was founded in 2016 with the goal of making cycling more accessible and attractive for company employees. With technological innovations and a strong commitment to sustainability, Ubike helps companies and individuals transition to more eco-friendly and healthier transportation. Ubike places a strong focus on user-friendliness and easy availability of bikes. The company’s goal is to continuously improve the leasing of bicycles and e-bikes.

“The acquisition of Ubike is another important step to strengthen our Belgian business,” said Maximilian Acht, CEO of Green Mobility Holding. “We will leverage synergies by structuring the sales orientation of both companies and utilize Ubike’s French-speaking team and the Brussels office to further expand GMH’s market position in the Walloon Region.”

“With GMH and o2o, we have found ideal partners to further expand our business in Belgium and to capture the strong market growth more intensively,” said Michel Lagasse, founder and CEO of Ubike. “We share the common goal of promoting employee mobility through affordable and easily accessible leasing offers while simultaneously reducing the ecological footprint of commuting to work. Importantly, as we expand, we remain committed to preserving our unique Belgian identity – our ‘Belgitude’ – ensuring that our growth never compromises the local values and cultural heritage that define us.”

“When we invested in GMH a year ago, we announced that we would support the company’s further growth in Germany and Europe with capital and strategic know-how. With the acquisition of o2o and Ubike in Belgium, the first key milestones on this path have been set,” said Matthias Wilcken, Senior Partner at Rivean Capital.

Michel Lagasse and the rest of the Ubike management team will remain on board after the acquisition. Michel Lagasse will reinvest a portion of his sale proceeds into GMH, thus becoming a shareholder of GMH.

—

Weblinks:
www.greenmobilityholding.com
www.ubike.be
www.o2o.be
company-bike.com
www.mein-dienstrad.de

About GMH
Green Mobility Holding GmbH is one of the leading technology-based (e-)bike leasing groups in Europe. It brings together independent brands with innovative product offerings under one roof, creating unique solutions for companies of all sizes through shared synergies. With over 350 employees, the group is represented at more than 15 locations.

About Rivean Capital
Rivean Capital is a leading European private equity investor for mid-market transactions, active in the DACH region, the Benelux countries, and Italy. Funds advised by Rivean Capital manage over €5 billion in assets. Since its founding in 1982, Rivean Capital has supported more than 250 companies in achieving their growth goals.

For more information, visit www.riveancapital.com

Media Contacts:

Rivean Capital
Maikel Wieland
Head of Investor Relations
Email: m.wieland@riveancapital.com

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Blackstone Announces Investment in Symphony Infrastructure Partners, Australia’s Leading Energy Transition Infrastructure Services Platform

Blackstone

Sydney, July 18, 2024 – Blackstone (NYSE:BX) announced today that funds managed by Blackstone Tactical Opportunities (“Blackstone”) have made a structured equity investment into Symphony Infrastructure Partners (“Symphony”), Australia’s leading energy transition infrastructure services platform.

Symphony was founded in 2022 by Steve Butler with a mission to accelerate Australia’s energy transition to renewables. The company develops, operates, and owns specialized services critical to Australia’s energy transition. Blackstone’s investment provides capital for Symphony to complete multiple pending acquisitions that will bring industry-leading capabilities into the platform and also involves a commitment of funding towards the future growth of the company.

Steve Butler, Chief Executive Officer, Symphony, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager, and join its global network of high-quality companies around the world. Blackstone brings incredible scale and access to capital, and we share the vision of growing the business and spearheading Australia’s energy transition.”

Michael Blickstead, Head of Australia & New Zealand Private Equity, Blackstone, said: “We are pleased to partner with the management team to take Symphony on its next chapter of growth and contribute to Australia’s energy transition. Our success in Australia and around the world has been based on two factors: partnering and having close alignment with visionary founders and building businesses through our scale and expertise. We bring this same commitment to Symphony, where we will provide our full breadth of resources and capabilities to support the company’s long-term success.”

Daniel Kearns, Managing Director in Blackstone Tactical Opportunities, said: “At Blackstone, the energy transition is a major investment theme both globally and in Australia, where we’ve made marquee investments in companies with innovative solutions that address the world’s transition into renewable energy. Australia is still in the early stages of its energy transition journey, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with a market-leading platform in Symphony and provide the capital and resources to fuel its continued growth.”

Blackstone is a committed investor in Australia, bringing a track record of providing flexible partnership capital for founders, building businesses into market leaders, and delivering for stakeholders. It has made a number of investments in Australia-based companies supporting the energy transition including Xpansiv, a premier infrastructure platform for global carbon and environmental commodities, and Energy Exemplar, a leading global provider of energy market simulation software.

About Blackstone 
Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager. We seek to deliver compelling returns for institutional and individual investors by strengthening the companies in which we invest. Our more than $1 trillion in assets under management include global investment strategies focused on real estate, private equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, credit, real assets, secondaries and hedge funds. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow @blackstone on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram

Media Contact
Ellen Bogard
Ellen.Bogard@blackstone.com
+852 3651 7737

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Trinseo Announces New Receivables Financing Facility From KKR

KKR

WAYNE, Pa. & NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Trinseo PLC (“Trinseo” or “the Company”)(NYSE: TSE), a specialty material solutions provider, today announced that a special purpose finance entity, Styron Receivables Funding Designated Activity Company, has entered into a $150 million non-recourse financing facility with credit funds and accounts managed by KKR, a leading global investment firm. The facility, which is collateralized by trade receivables originated by Trinseo and its subsidiaries, replaces a prior financing facility of the same size that matures in November 2025.

“We are thrilled to have the support of a leading capital provider like KKR,” said Frank Bozich, President and CEO of Trinseo. “While this facility replaces a previous one of the same size, it has no minimum liquidity covenants and extends the maturity by more than two years, to December 2027. This provides us with additional financial flexibility for the next several years as we continue to transform our portfolio.”

“We are pleased to use our deep experience in global receivables financing to provide Trinseo with capital to support its continued growth and ability to supply critical materials to a variety of essential markets globally,” said Giacomo Picco, a Managing Director at KKR.

About Trinseo

Trinseo (NYSE: TSE), a specialty material solutions provider, partners with companies to bring ideas to life in an imaginative, smart and sustainably focused manner by combining its premier expertise, forward-looking innovations and best-in-class materials to unlock value for companies and consumers.

From design to manufacturing, Trinseo taps into decades of experience in diverse material solutions to address customers’ unique challenges in a wide range of industries, including building and construction, consumer goods, medical and mobility.

Trinseo’s approximately 3,100 employees bring endless creativity to reimagining the possibilities with clients all over the world from the company’s locations in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Trinseo reported net sales of approximately $3.7 billion in 2023. Discover more by visiting www.trinseo.com and connecting with Trinseo on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and WeChat.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKRs website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, projections, forecasts, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are not statements of historical facts or guarantees or assurances of future performance. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “will,” “may,” “might,” “see,” “tend,” “assume,” “potential,” “likely,” “target,” “plan,” “contemplate,” “seek,” “attempt,” “should,” “could,” “would” or expressions of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s evaluation of information currently available and are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy, our current indebtedness, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Factors that might cause future results to differ from those expressed by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to successfully implement proposed restructuring initiatives and to successfully generate cost savings through restructuring and cost reduction initiatives; our ability to successfully execute our business and transformation strategy; increased costs or disruption in the supply of raw materials; deterioration of our credit profile limiting our access to commercial credit; increased energy costs; compliance with laws and regulations impacting our business; any disruptions in production at our chemical manufacturing facilities, including those resulting from accidental spills or discharges; conditions in the global economy and capital markets; our current and future levels of indebtedness and ability to service our debt; our ability to meet the covenants under our existing indebtedness; our ability to generate cash flows from operations; and those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, under Part I, Item 1A —”Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our other reports, filings and furnishings made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. As a result of these or other factors, our actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Therefore, we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Contacts

Media Contacts:

For Trinseo:

Andy Myers
+1 610-240-3221
aemyers@trinseo.com

For KKR:

Julia Kosygina
212-750-8300
media@kkr.com

 

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Jacobs Holding to acquire ILERNA

IK Partners

Lleida/Zurich/Paris, 18 July 2024 – Jacobs Holding is pleased to announce it has agreed to acquire ILERNA, a leading provider of official vocational education in Spain from Skill & You, a portfolio company of IK Partners (“IK”). Alongside the company’s management team and employees, Jacobs Holding will support ILERNA in building on its leading position, helping it to expand its innovative education offering and making its qualifications accessible to an even broader range of people. The investment in ILERNA is strongly aligned with Jacobs Holding’s strategy to invest in European champions in the Education Sector, one of its three focus sectors.

Founded in Lleida, Catalonia, in 2014, ILERNA is a leading player in the Spanish vocational education space with over 46,000 students. The organization offers a wide range of online courses designed to meet the evolving needs of both students and employers. In recent years, ILERNA has developed a physical presence with 11 centers providing onsite instruction to complement its comprehensive online offering. With the support of Jacobs Holding, ILERNA will further enhance its educational programs, expand its curriculum, promote advanced technological tools, and extend its physical footprint. ILERNA has been a subsidiary of the French Skill & You Group since 2019. Skill & You was acquired by IK in 2021.

Tim Franks, CEO, and Justin Lewis-Oakes, Managing Director, of Jacobs Holding commented: “We have identified vocational education as a highly attractive sector within the European education landscape and Spain as a highly dynamic market with significant further growth opportunities. The online segment provides access to a broad demographic of students who are able to upskill flexibly around existing life commitments in order to enhance their long-term career opportunities. We are excited to back industry leading ILERNA in its next stage of growth, and to partner with co-founders Jordi Giné and Virginia Agelet, two accomplished and innovative leaders in the space.”

Jordi Giné Llorens, CEO of ILERNA, said: “We would like to thank IK Partners for their continuous support over the past three years. It has been a tremendous journey with a tripling of the size of the group and new campuses in Barcelona, Cordoba, Jerez, Lleida, Madrid, Tarragona, Seville, and Valladolid. We would like to welcome Jacobs Holding on board. They have unmatched experience in the global education sector and will provide further support for our next phase of ambitious development.”

Rémi Buttiaux and Diki Korniloff, Partners at IK, added: “ILERNA’s growth achievements stand as a testament to the remarkable leadership of its management team. We wish them well for their next growth phase with Jacobs Holding and look forward to seeing ILERNA thrive in its next chapter.”

Media contacts:

For Jacobs Holding:
Lemongrass Communications, Andreas Hildenbrand
andreas.hildenbrand@lemongrass.agency
+41 44 202 52 38

For IK Partners:
Vidya Verlkumar
vidya.verlkumar@ikpartners.com
+44 7787 558193

About Jacobs Holding AG

Jacobs Holding is a global professional investment firm founded by late entrepreneur Klaus J. Jacobs. Jacobs Holding invests in mid to large size companies active in its three core sectors of consumer, education and healthcare, which enjoy leading market positions and have further growth and value creation potential. The current portfolio of Jacobs Holding consists of Cognita, Colosseum Dental Group, North American Dental Group as well as a large stake in the publicly traded company Barry Callebaut AG. The sole economic beneficiary of Jacobs Holding is the Jacobs Foundation, one of the world’s leading charitable foundations for the promotion of development opportunities for children and young people. Their work focuses on ensuring that scientific understanding of how children learn sits at the core of teaching and learning practices and informs the development and implementation of education policy. Since the foundation was established in 1989, around CHF 900 million has been paid out cumulatively.

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About IK Partners

IK Partners (“IK”) is a European private equity firm focused on investments in the Benelux, DACH, France, Nordics and the UK. Since 1989, IK has raised more than €16.5 billion of capital and invested in over 180 European companies. IK supports companies with strong underlying potential, partnering with management teams and investors to create robust, well-positioned businesses with excellent long-term prospects. For more information, visit ikpartners.com.

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Blue Earth Capital leads € 25m growth funding round in Quatt, a leader in smart heat pumps

Blue Earth Capital

Quatt Secures 25 Million Euros in Growth Funding

Funding will be for new products and international expansion

Amsterdam, July 17, 2024 – Quatt, an Amsterdam-based scale-up specializing in smart heat pumps, today announces €25 million in a growth equity funding round led by Blue Earth Capital, with participation from Seaya Andromeda and existing investor Impact Equity Fund.

Quatt has experienced rapid growth over the past two years, installing over 7,500 smart heat pumps throughout the Netherlands, and the organization has seen significant expansion. “Due to its quick payback period, more and more Dutch people are opting for our heat pump,” says Marijn Flipse, CEO and co-founder of Quatt. “In the three years since our inception, we have secured a leading position in the heat pump market thanks to our consumer-centric approach, smart software and attractive design. By focusing on product development, sales, and installation all in-house, we deliver an excellent customer experience at a very competitive price. This is now recognized by international investors as well.”

New Products and Crossing Borders
Quatt’s flagship product is the “Hybrid”, an ingenious intermediate solution towards fully decarbonizing residential heating by connecting a Quatt-designed hybrid heat pump to customers’ existing boilers, therefore reducing their gas consumption by up to 80% while keeping the boilers for back-up heating needs.  Quatt recently introduced two add-ons to Hybrid – the “All-Electric” heat pump and its patented cooling system “Chill.” This financing will enable Quatt to accelerate the development of these and other new products

Flipse adds, “Over the next 5-10 years, Europe will need to take significant steps in transitioning the built environment to sustainable energy. We aim to make sustainable homes accessible to everyone while reducing energy costs. We look beyond just the heat pump and Dutch borders.” As part of its expansion strategy, Quatt is complementing its market-leading online lead generation with collaborations with installation partners, energy companies, and other market players.

Energy transition
“Heat pumps are an important part of the energy transition for Europe, where nearly 80% of final energy consumption in the residential sector is used for space and water heating[1], with a high dependence on natural gas,” says Kayode Akinola, Head of Private Equity at Blue Earth Capital. “Quatt’s differentiated approach and product suite address common barriers to heat pump adoption by building consumer confidence. This enables real energy and cost savings whilst starting the transition to electrification of an important part of the household and working to decarbonize residential properties. This approach aligns with BlueEarth’s aim to support the energy transition by providing growth equity and support to companies offering products and services that contribute towards decarbonization.”

Carlos Fisch, partner and co-Head at Seaya Andromeda says “Quatt’s modular system will play an important role in the energy transition. Consumers can gradually switch to sustainable energy. From this winter, Quatt’s hybrid heat pump can be upgraded to a fully electric pump, and in the spring of 2025, they will launch Chill, a unique air conditioning system that cools using the existing heat pump. With this product roadmap, we believe Quatt can become a category leader. We are looking forward to supporting the team with their efforts to expand in Europe.”

The Dutch Impact Equity Fund is also participating in this funding round. Randolf Nijsse, founder of Impact Equity Fund, is particularly impressed by the focus on the customer journey of the Dutch smart heat pump company. “The ease of purchase is crucial for success and impact on the energy transition. Quatt’s products are low-threshold, making them distinctive in this market.”

 

About Quatt
Quatt is an Amsterdam-based scale-up specializing in smart heat pumps. The company develops, produces, and installs Quatt Hybrid, a hybrid heat pump powered by smart software. Quatt is a market leader in the Netherlands and distinguishes itself by making heat pumps accessible, offering the best payback time, and using smart software. The rapidly growing company has about 160 employees and was founded in 2021 by brothers Marijn and Bas Flipse. They aim to help 3 million households transition to sustainable energy by 2030.

About Blue Earth Capital
Blue Earth Capital is a global, independent, specialist impact investor, headquartered in Switzerland, with operations in New York, London, and Konstanz. Blue Earth Capital seeks to address the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges by delivering measurable impact alongside aiming for attractive and market-rate financial returns. The company operates dedicated private equity, private credit, and fund solutions. Blue Earth Capital is owned by the Blue Earth Foundation, a Stiftung (charity/trust) registered in Switzerland that focuses on deep impact to support initiatives and business ventures to help deliver a more equitable and sustainable future.

About Seaya Andromeda
Seaya Andromeda is a Pan-European Climate Tech Venture capital focused on growth. With €300M assets under management, Andromeda is an SFDR Article 9 fund on a mission to address global sustainability challenges and deliver profits with purpose through investments in technology-driven companies focusing on Energy, Decarbonization, the Circular Economy, and the Sustainable Food Value Chain. Seaya Andromeda is part of Seaya, the leading European Venture Capital platform, with offices in Madrid, Barcelona, and Mexico City. Seaya raised its first fund in 2013 and currently manages over €650 million across five early-stage venture funds. Seaya accelerates the growth of startups by leveraging the founder’s strategic vision, providing them with Seaya’s global platform, its extensive network of founders, investors, and multinational corporations, as well as all its experience in the worldwide expansion of companies such as Glovo, Cabify, Wallbox (NYSE:WBX), Clarity AI, Clicars, Alma and RatedPower.

About Impact Equity
Impact Equity Fund, based in the Netherlands, is committed to generating sustainable financial returns while driving measurable social and environmental impact. The firm invests in innovative enterprises that align with its core values of sustainability, equity, and transformative growth, leveraging its expertise and network to support ventures that contribute to a better society and environment.

 

Press contact

blueearthcapital@kekstcnc.com

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