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KKR, Hologic And Ajax Health Create New Platform To Accelerate Medical Device Innovation

KKR

Platform Will Focus on Technologies to Detect Lung Cancer, the Leading Cause of Cancer Deaths

NEW YORK & MARLBOROUGH, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced a new platform established with investments from KKR and Hologic, Inc. (Nasdaq: HOLX), a global leader in women’s health and medical technology innovator. The new platform, named Maverix Medical, will be managed by Ajax Health under the leadership of Duke Rohlen.

Maverix will develop and acquire innovative technologies and commercial operations within the lung cancer disease category. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancers combined.1

KKR and Ajax Health will contribute existing portfolio company Serpex Medical to the platform. Serpex Medical develops innovative steerable technology that can precisely target lung tissue for biopsy or delivery of therapy.

“We have long admired the life-changing technologies pioneered by Hologic and are delighted to combine our collective resources to establish this new platform led by our long-time executive partner Duke Rohlen,” said Ali Satvat, Partner, Co-Head of Americas Health Care and Global Head of Health Care Strategic Growth at KKR. “This unique strategic partnership has enormous potential to develop, advance and bring to market differentiated devices and diagnostics and enable meaningful treatments for lung cancer patients.”

“This strategic partnership strongly aligns with our leadership in diagnostic innovation and early cancer detection,” said Steve MacMillan, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hologic. “Together with Ajax and KKR, we are excited to partner on a platform that leverages our strengths and expertise to target new disease categories, such as lung cancer, and that will allow us to continue to enable healthier lives everywhere, every day.”

“This is an ideal strategic collaboration for developing winning medical technologies that drive transformational growth and deliver patient impact. The Ajax team is eager to contribute our successful experience building portfolios of innovative products to Hologic’s world-class commercial and strategic capabilities and KKR’s approach to scaling companies and supporting growth together to create value and improve patient outcomes,” said Duke Rohlen.

KKR is investing in Maverix through its Health Care Strategic Growth strategy. Additional terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Ajax Health

Ajax builds growth engines that generate innovative product portfolios to catalyze value creation for larger, commercial-stage MedTech companies. Backed by premier global private equity firms including KKR, the Ajax team draws on 20+ years of experience as entrepreneurs, operators and investors. Ajax Health is headquartered in Menlo Park, CA with offices in New York City, Los Angeles and Austin. For more information, please visit www.ajaxhealth.com.

About Hologic, Inc.

Hologic, Inc. is a global medical technology innovator focused on improving the health and well-being of women, their families and communities through early detection and treatment. Its advancements include invention of the world’s first commercial 3D mammography system to find breast cancer earlier; leadership in testing for cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infections and respiratory illnesses; minimally invasive surgical technologies for uterine fibroids and abnormal uterine bleeding; and advanced vessel sealing and dissection devices. For more information about Hologic, visit www.hologic.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 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 KKR’s 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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties, including statements about the use of Hologic products. There can be no assurance these products will achieve the benefits described herein or that such benefits will be replicated in any particular manner with respect to an individual patient, as the actual effect of the use of the products can only be determined on a case-by-case basis. In addition, there can be no assurance that these products will be commercially successful or achieve any expected level of sales. Hologic expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements presented herein to reflect any change in expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such data or statements are based.

Hologic and The Science of Sure are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Hologic, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.

1 World Health Organization. Cancer. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer Last accessed November 12, 2023.

Hologic Investors:
Ryan Simon
Vice President, Investor Relations
+1 858.410.8514
ryan.simon@hologic.com

Hologic Media:
Bridget Perry
Director, Corporate Communications
+1 508.263.8654
bridget.perry@hologic.com

KKR:
Miles Radcliffe-Trenner
+1 212.750.8300
media@kkr.com

Source: KKR

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KKR To Acquire Remaining 37% Of Global Atlantic For $2.7 Billion In All-Cash Transaction

KKR

Closer Coordination and Alignment Expected to Further Accelerate Growth of Both KKR and Global Atlantic

KKR Announces Other Strategic Initiatives to Benefit Shareholders

KKR and Global Atlantic to Host a Conference Call at 10:00 a.m. EST

NEW YORK & HAMILTON, Bermuda–(BUSINESS WIRE)– KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR) and Global Atlantic Financial Group LLC (“Global Atlantic” or “GA”) today announced a definitive agreement under which KKR will acquire the remaining 37% stake of leading insurance company Global Atlantic, increasing KKR’s ownership to 100%.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231129605147/en/

Joe Bae and Scott Nuttall, Co-Chief Executive Officers of KKR, stated: “The strategic partnership we envisioned three years ago has exceeded our expectations. It has been transformative for both businesses and a great cultural fit that has enabled us to contribute to Global Atlantic’s continued strong performance and success, while also being a key driver of growth for KKR. We expect the new ownership structure will foster even closer collaboration, allowing us to fully leverage our complementary strengths and grow faster together.”

Since 2021, KKR has served as Global Atlantic’s asset manager, offering access to its global investment and origination capabilities for the benefit of GA’s policyholders. Global Atlantic’s assets under management have grown significantly, up from $72 billion in 2020 to $158 billion today. As Global Atlantic has grown, it has benefited from the scale of KKR’s asset management businesses in meeting GA’s investment needs while maintaining a focus on risk management and continuing to deliver market-leading returns. The strategic partnership has proven to be both an important source of capital for Global Atlantic and a driver of international growth, with Global Atlantic leveraging KKR’s global reach to establish new business relationships in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.

At the same time, Global Atlantic has been a source of financial success for KKR and a key element of KKR’s growing real estate credit and asset-based financing businesses, both of which manage assets that are particularly well suited for insurance company balance sheets.

“We are taking this step because we have demonstrated, over the last three years, that we are stronger together. Being part of KKR has strengthened our position as a leading insurance company and enhanced our ability to deliver compelling solutions for our clients. Moving from a diverse group of shareholders to a single one with KKR clarifies our objectives and allows us to think―and invest―longer term,” said Allan Levine, Chief Executive Officer of Global Atlantic. “Although we hope to unlock further value by taking this step in our capital structure, neither our client-first approach nor our investment and risk management framework will change, and the day-to-day experience of our clients and colleagues will feel very much the same as it does today.”

After closing, Global Atlantic will continue to be led by its management team and operate under the Global Atlantic brand.

Transaction Details

Under the terms of the agreement, KKR will pay Global Atlantic’s minority shareholders an amount in cash equal to 1.0x Global Atlantic’s book value with certain adjustments. The total cash purchase price is currently estimated to be approximately $2.7 billion. Global Atlantic management is expected to exchange a majority of its Global Atlantic equity interests for KKR equity. KKR will fund the transaction from its balance sheet, which had $23 billion of cash and investments as of September 30, 2023.

The transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024, is subject to customary closing conditions.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP acted as legal advisors to KKR and Global Atlantic, respectively. Barclays provided a fairness opinion for Global Atlantic.

Strategic Initiatives

KKR also announced a series of other Strategic Initiatives that are contingent on the closing of the Global Atlantic transaction. These include:

  • Creating a new business segment, Strategic Holdings. The new segment will principally be comprised of KKR’s Core Private Equity balance sheet holdings. Core Private Equity has scaled into a business with $35 billion of assets under management, including $6.5 billion of assets on KKR’s balance sheet. Given the maturation and strong performance of these companies, KKR expects to begin receiving more recurring cash dividends from this segment of the balance sheet.
  • Modifying its compensation structure to be more success based. KKR will draw a greater share of compensation from carried interest instead of fee related earnings. The adjustment is expected to result in enhanced shareholder value by delivering more of the firm’s recurring revenues to shareholders.
  • Introducing a new reporting framework. KKR will report a new key metric, Total Operating Earnings, which will be comprised of Fee Related Earnings, Strategic Holdings and Insurance Operating Earnings. KKR expects Total Operating Earnings will highlight the growth of its more recurring earnings streams.

KKR expects the Strategic Initiatives, combined with the expanded ownership of Global Atlantic, to be accretive to all of its per share earnings metrics.

Bae and Nuttall added: “We remain focused on performing through cycles for the millions of clients and policyholders counting on us — with a business model that allows us to compound earnings and value for the very long term while retaining our culture. Today’s announcements are in service of that vision — more fully establishing three avenues for long term sustained growth, further increasing our optimism about the path ahead.”

Conference Call Information and Additional Details

KKR is holding a conference call to discuss the Global Atlantic transaction and Strategic Initiatives on November 29 at 10:00 a.m. EST. Allan Levine, Chief Executive Officer of Global Atlantic, will join the call. The conference call may be accessed through the Investor Relations section of KKR’s website at ir.kkr.com or by dialing 1-877-407-0312 (U.S.) or 1-201-389-0899 (non-U.S.); a pass code is not required. Supplemental materials that will be discussed during the call will be available at the same website location.

A replay of the webcast will be available on KKR’s website approximately one hour after completion of the broadcast.

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 KKR’s 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.

About Global Atlantic

Global Atlantic Financial Group is a leading insurance company meeting the retirement and life insurance needs of individuals and institutions. With a strong financial foundation and risk and investment management expertise, the company delivers tailored solutions to create more secure financial futures. The company’s performance has been driven by its culture and core values focused on integrity, teamwork, and the importance of building long-term client relationships. Global Atlantic is a majority-owned subsidiary of KKR, a leading global investment firm. Through its relationship, the company leverages KKR’s investment capabilities, scale and access to capital markets to enhance the value it offers clients.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, estimates, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts, including but not limited to the statements with respect to: the transaction (including the estimated total cash purchase price) to acquire all outstanding shares of Global Atlantic; operation of Global Atlantic following the closing of the transaction; expansion and growth opportunities and other synergies resulting from the transaction; the availability of cash on hand or liquidity from KKR’s investment portfolio to fund the transaction; and expected timing of closing. The forward-looking statements are based on KKR’s beliefs, assumptions and expectations, taking into account all information currently available to it. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to KKR or are within its control. If a change occurs, KKR’s business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations, including but not limited to dividends, reported earnings, and capital structure may vary materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to vary from the forward-looking statements: failure to realize the anticipated benefits within the expected timeframes from the planned transaction with Global Atlantic; unforeseen liabilities or integration and other costs of the Global Atlantic transaction and timing related thereto; availability and cost of financing to fund the transaction; changes in Global Atlantic’s business; any delays or difficulties in receiving regulatory approvals; failure to complete the transaction; distraction of management or other diversion of resources within each company caused by the transaction; retention of key Global Atlantic employees; Global Atlantic’s ability to maintain business relationships following the transaction; the volatility of the capital markets; failure to realize the benefits of or changes in KKR’s or Global Atlantic’s business strategies; availability, terms and deployment of capital; availability of qualified personnel and expense of recruiting and retaining such personnel; changes in the asset management or insurance industry, interest rates, credit spreads, currency exchange rates or the general economy; underperformance of KKR’s or Global Atlantic’s investments and decreased ability to raise funds; changes in Global Atlantic policyholders’ behavior; any disruption in servicing Global Atlantic’s insurance policies; the use of estimates and risk management in Global Atlantic’s business; and the degree and nature of KKR’s and Global Atlantic’s competition. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. KKR does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date on which such statements were made except as required by law. In addition, KKR’s business strategy is focused on the long term and financial results are subject to significant volatility.

Additional information about factors affecting KKR is available in KKR & Co. Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2023, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for subsequent quarters and other filings with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov.

Past performance is not indicative or a guarantee of future performance. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

Investors:

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

Media:

Kristi Huller
212-750-8300
media@kkr.com

Source: KKR & Co. Inc.

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Torqx Capital Partners declares offer for Beter Bed Holding unconditional; 95.14% of Shares now tendered or committed

Torqx Capital

Torqx declares the public offer on Beter Bed Holding unconditional per 29 November 2023; in total 95.14% of the Shares are offered or committed, of which 44.33% of the shares are irrevocably committed by the co-investors.

Settlement of the Offer will take place on Friday 1 December 2023. Payment of the Offer Price for each Tendered and Delivered Share shall be made on the same date. Shares which are not tendered yet can be tendered during the Post-Acceptance Period, commencing on 30 November 2023 and ending on 6 December 2023.

Information about the offer and how you can tender your shares can be found at:  www.beterbedholding.com/public-offer/.

For further information, see also the press release about the offer being declared unconditional:

Link to press release

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Waterland sells majority stake in Netrics

Zurich – Waterland Private Equity (“Waterland”) is selling its majority stake in Netrics, Switzerland’s leading modern workplace and cloud service provider, to Bregal Unternehmerkapital. The strategic focus on digitizing companies using state-of-the-art technologies will continue under the new ownership structure. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the year; financial details will not be disclosed.

Over the past years, Waterland has supported Netrics in its strategic orientation to become the leading partner for the digitalization of companies using cloud and modern workplace technologies. In collaboration with the founders, Waterland initiated the merger of Tineo, nexellent and Netrics as well as the subsequent buy-and-build strategy with the acquisitions of BlueStone Consulting and PageUp. Today, Netrics is a leading player in the Swiss market with over 140 experts and more than 600 customers. The management team will continue to build on this strategy in the new ownership structure and drive it further.

“Waterland was the best possible partner for our strategic realignment,” emphasizes Netrics CEO Pascal Kocher. “Now it’s ‘mission accomplished‘. We are continuing to drive the Group and our strategy forward and want to consistently implement our further development as a leading partner for digital transformation, always at eye-level with our customers.”

Gregor Hengst, Managing Partner at Waterland, says: “Every business is becoming a digital business, and complexity is constantly increasing. This calls for highly professional enablers like Netrics, with whose founders and management team we have developed this shared vision from the beginning. Today, Netrics is ideally positioned to exploit the huge potential in the digital transformation market.” Philippe Moser, Principal at Waterland, emphasizes: “Thanks to the excellent collaboration with the entrepreneurs and the determined implementation of the buy-and-build strategy in the joint partnership, we were able to establish the leading player in the Swiss market.”

About Waterland

Waterland is an independent private equity investment company that supports entrepreneurs in achieving their growth targets. With substantial financial support and industry expertise, Waterland enables its portfolio companies to accelerate growth both organically and through acquisitions. Waterland has offices in the Netherlands (Bussum), Belgium (Antwerp), France (Paris), Germany (Hamburg, Munich), Poland (Warsaw), the UK (London, Manchester), Ireland (Dublin), Denmark (Copenhagen), Norway (Oslo), Spain (Barcelona) and Switzerland (Zurich). It currently manages around fourteen billion euros in equity capital.

Waterland has consistently achieved above-average performance with its investments since it was founded in 1999. The company is ranked fourth globally in the HEC/Dow Jones Private Equity Performance Ranking 2022 and seventh among global private equity firms in the Preqin Consistent Performers in Global Private Equity & Venture Capital Report 2022.

Media contact

Kurt Rossi, Farner Consulting, kurt.rossi@farner.ch

 

About Netrics:

As a partner for digital transformation, Netrics focuses on the topics of cloud and modern workplace. Netrics enables modern, location-independent and secure working through the targeted use of future-oriented technologies and with consideration of the human aspects, thus creating great experiences for employees and customers. The Netrics Group is active throughout German-speaking Switzerland with around 140 experts and a local presence in Bern, Biel/Bienne, Thun and Zurich. Since December 2022, the Netrics Group has also been offering comprehensive consulting services in the areas of collaboration, process digitalization, digital skills development and change management with AliceBlue AG from Basel.

 

Netrics is ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, ISO 9001 and ISO 20000 certified. In addition, Netrics services are audited in accordance with the ISAE 3402 Type 2 standard.

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KKR Acquires Potter Global Technologies

KKR

All Employees to Become Owners in the Company

ST LOUIS, Mo. & NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced that investment funds managed by KKR have acquired Potter Global Technologies (“Potter” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer of fire and life safety equipment, from Gryphon Investors. KKR plans to support the Company in its continued growth organically and through add-on acquisitions. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Potter is a trusted global provider of fire safety and emergency communication equipment used by thousands of customers across diverse end markets including education, multi-family, industrial, and healthcare. Potter’s leading products are used for monitoring fire safety systems, detecting fires and other life-threatening events, and notifying and communicating with building occupants and first responders to ensure safe and efficient evacuations and responses.

“For over 125 years, the Potter brand has stood for safety and reliability in the face of potentially life-threatening risks to the thousands of people and institutions around the world who entrust their fire and life safety to Potter. We have been impressed by the Company’s history of innovation and commitment to provide its customers with high-quality, easy-to-use systems supported by incredible customer service,” said Brandon Brahm, Partner at KKR and Co-Head of KKR’s Ascendant strategy. “We look forward to collaborating with Gerry Connolly, the leadership team, and all of the employees at Potter as we embark on this new era in the Company’s growth and develop new ways to serve our customers and protect lives.”

“Potter’s growth is a testament to the performance of our talented team and to our reputation as a leader in the fire and life safety industry. Our mission to protect people, buildings, and critical infrastructure across the globe underpins everything we do, and we are excited to continue furthering this mission with KKR. We are aligned on Potter’s potential and look forward to continue serving our customers through accelerated new product innovation, superior customer service, and an expanded reach domestically and internationally. Implementing KKR’s equity ownership philosophy, which will make every employee an owner, will be instrumental in achieving our potential and we are looking forward to the exciting growth that all employees together will drive as co-owners in Potter,” said Gerry Connolly, CEO of Potter.

KKR will support Potter in implementing a broad-based employee ownership program to allow all of its employees to have the opportunity to participate in the benefits of ownership of the Company. This strategy is based on the belief that employee engagement is a key driver in building stronger companies. Since 2011, KKR portfolio companies have awarded billions of dollars of total equity value to over 60,000 non-management employees across more than 35 portfolio companies.

Potter is the latest investment for KKR’s Ascendant Strategy, which invests in middle market businesses in North America as part of KKR’s Americas Private Equity platform. Other investments in the Ascendant strategy include Alchemer, 123Dentist, Industrial Physics and a commitment to fund a new executive-led platform designed to acquire and build businesses in the Testing, Inspection, and Certification industry.

Baird and Baker McKenzie served as advisors to KKR.

About Potter:

Potter Global Technologies is the leading independent designer and manufacturer of life safety and emergency communication solutions. Through its various business brands, Potter provides fire suppression, alarm and communications systems, mass notification systems, first responder RF radio communications, and advanced power products. The company motto is “We Save Lives” and their employees appreciate the role they play and value working for a company that is making a difference through protecting people, property and critical infrastructure. Their mission is to make buildings and people safer from fire, natural disasters, and acts of violence. Throughout their longstanding 125-year history of developing industry leading technology, Potter has earned a reputation for best-in-class product quality and customer service. The company is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with sales, engineering, and manufacturing centers in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Discover more about Potter Global Technologies at www.potterglobaltech.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 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 KKR’s 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.

For Potter:
Eric Lauver
ericl@pottersignal.com

For KKR:
Julia Kosygina or Emily Cummings
(212) 750-8300
media@kkr.com

Source: KKR

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Strong results confirm strategy of value creation through growth

GIMV
  • The positive growth of our companies and value creation via exits lead to strong portfolio return of 13.3% in the first half of the year
  • Sustained growth of portfolio to more than EUR 1.6 billion
  • Net profit of more than EUR 150 million increases the equity value per share to EUR 51.3

CEO Koen Dejonckheere about these half-year results:

“The first half of the current financial year proves the success of our strategy of value creation through growth. After a cautious recovery in the second half of the previous year, our companies again realize a strong growth in the first half of 2023. They clearly are fulfilling their role as the leaders and innovators of our economy. Thanks to decreasing input prices, our companies have succeeded in recording double-digit growth in profitability. Moreover, Gimv has also achieved significant capital gains via exits in challenging market conditions. As a result, we are reaping the benefits of a successful execution of our growth strategy.

The strong portfolio result has produced a significant net profit, leading to an increase in Gimv’s equity to over EUR 51 per share.”

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DIF Capital Partners to acquire a majority interest in Novar, leading Dutch developer of green energy systems

DIF Capital Partners (via its DIF Infrastructure VI fund and Dutch Climate Action Fund Equity Vintage 1 fund) has signed an agreement to acquire 60% of Novar, the leading developer of large-scale sustainable energy systems in the Netherlands.

Novar

The transaction marks the start of a long-term collaboration to deliver sustainable and innovative renewable energy solutions. As part of the investment, DIF will provide growth capital to among others support the expansion of Novar’s utility-scale solar, rooftop solar and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) portfolio.

Headquartered in Groningen, Novar owns and operates 440MW of utility-scale solar PV, rooftop solar and BESS projects. It has a development project pipeline of more than 15GW. Novar is a front-runner in integrated energy solutions, currently developing the largest private grid project in the Netherlands, which will provide grid connection for several of its large-scale solar and BESS projects, as well as the first Dutch solar thermal and green hydrogen projects.

The company operates a fully integrated Independent Power Producer model, providing operation & maintenance, technical & commercial asset management and consultancy & flex services to its own portfolio and to third parties.

Gijs Voskuyl, Partner at DIF, said: “The investment in Novar presents an opportunity for DIF to support the Dutch solar energy market leader with a long track record of successfully delivering ground-mounted and rooftop projects. Its existing 440MW contracted portfolio offers a robust investment proposition and with the extensive pipeline in solar and storage projects, we can continue to invest in energy transition investment opportunities going forward. We’re looking forward to working with Novar’s management team to continue to jointly grow the company in the years ahead.”

Gerben Smit, CEO of Novar Holding, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Thanks to this strategic partnership, Novar has the opportunity to shape further growth, expand internationally and achieve the target of 4GW of operating capacity by 2030.”

DIF was advised by KPMG (financial advisor), McKinsey (commercial advisor), Arup (technical advisor) and NautaDutilh (legal advisor). Novar was advised by Voltiq (financial advisor), Eversheds Sutherland and Hogan Lovells (legal advisors).

The transaction is subject to regulatory and other approvals and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

About Novar Holding:

Novar Holding, formerly Solarfields, was founded in 2014 and specializes in the development of large-scale sustainable energy systems. For more information, please visit www.novar.nl.

 

About DIF Capital Partners

DIF Capital Partners is an infrastructure fund manager with ca. EUR 16 billion of assets under management. DIF was founded in 2005 and has a leading position in managing mid-market investments, primarily in Europe, North America and Australia.

DIF follows two strategies: its traditional DIF funds invest in lower-risk mid-sized infrastructure projects and companies in the energy transition (incl. renewables) and utilities sector, as well as PPPs and concessions. The firm’s CIF funds invest in small to mid-sized companies that will thrive in the new economy. These companies are typically active in the digital infrastructure, energy transition and sustainable transportation sector.

With a team of over 225 professionals in 11 offices, DIF offers a unique market approach combining global presence with the benefits of strong local networks and investment capabilities. DIF is located in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Helsinki, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, New York, Paris, Santiago, Sydney and Toronto.

For more information, please visit www.dif.eu or follow us on LinkedIn.

 

Press contacts:

DIF Capital Partners: press@dif.eu

Novar: David de Jong, david.dejong@novar.nl, +31 6 27971111

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Chase Corporation Announces Completion Of Acquisition By KKR And Welcomes Lance Reisman As Chairman Of The Board Of Directors

KKR
NEW YORK & WESTWOOD, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Chase Corporation (“Chase” or the “Company”), a leading global manufacturer of protective materials for high-reliability applications across diverse market sectors, today announced the successful completion of its acquisition by affiliates of KKR, a leading global investment firm, for $127.50 per share. As a result of the completion of the transaction, Chase common stock has ceased trading and will no longer be listed on the NYSE American.

“Today represents an important milestone for Chase in our journey to better serve our customers through strategic growth and innovation,” said Adam Chase, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chase. “From the beginning, KKR was a strong cultural fit for us, and their commitment to employee engagement coupled with an exceptional track record in the materials science space makes them ideal for this new chapter in our history.”

Adam joined Chase in 1998, and has successfully managed Chase as Chief Executive Officer since 2015. Prior to this role, Adam was the Chief Operating Officer.
In conjunction with the transaction close, Lance Reisman will assume the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors of Chase.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Board of Chase as Chair and look forward to working with Adam and his talented team to achieve a new phase of growth and innovation,” said Mr. Reisman. “Chase has built an impressive portfolio of leading technologies, and I look forward to supporting the Company in building upon this foundation to drive future growth, both organically and through acquisitions.”
Lance is an Executive Advisor to KKR and currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors at Flow Control Group and as Chairman of the Board at GeoStabilization International and Industrial Physics. Lance previously worked at Danaher, most recently as Group Executive and Vice President responsible for Danaher’s Water Quality Platform. In this role, Lance led holistic operational and commercial transformations and executed a number of strategic acquisitions.
KKR will also support Chase in implementing a broad-based employee ownership program to allow all of its employees to have the opportunity to participate in the benefits of ownership of the Company. This strategy is based on the belief that employee engagement and a strong ownership culture are key drivers in building stronger companies. Since 2011, KKR portfolio companies have awarded billions of dollars of total equity value to over 60,000 non-senior management employees across more than 35 portfolio companies.
About Chase Corporation
Chase Corporation, a global specialty chemicals company that was founded in 1946, is a leading manufacturer of protective materials for high-reliability applications throughout the world. More information can be found on our website https://chasecorp.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 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 KKR’s 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.
Contacts
Media Contacts:

For Chase Corporation

Investor & Media Contact:
Jackie Marcus or Ashley Gruenberg
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KKR Supports InVivo In The Global Expansion Of Malteries Soufflet

KKR

KKR continues to scale its strategic partnership with InVivo and Malteries Soufflet by more than doubling its investment as Malteries Soufflet acquires United Malt, creating the world’s largest maltster

Paris, 15 November, 2023 – KKR, a leading global investment firm, announces today that it has supported Malteries Soufflet in the funding and execution of the AUD 1.5 billion acquisition of United Malt Group Limited (“United Malt”), the fourth largest maltster globally. Funds and accounts managed by KKR have invested alongside InVivo Group, a leading French agricultural and agri-food business, which acquired Malteries Soufflet in 2021.

InVivo welcomed KKR, Bpifrance and Crédit Agricole Group as strategic partners in December 2021, with an initial investment of €440m to help fund the acquisition of Malteries Soufflet, backing a strategy to accelerate growth and strengthen its global leading position. To fund the United Malt acquisition, KKR, with participation from Bpifrance and Crédit Agricole Group, led a combined follow-on investment of €550m.

Founded in 1823, United Malt operates 11 production plants across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, supplying malting-quality barley to micro brewers and distillers, as well as traditional major brewers. United Malt has now been delisted from the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) as part of this transaction, and is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malteries Soufflet, which becomes the largest global malt player by sales and production capacity, with 40 production plants in 20 countries, and with an annual production capacity of 3.7m tons of malt; a 50% increase for Malteries Soufflet.

The acquisition brings together two complementary customer bases and geographic footprints, creating a unique global industrial network with the largest production capacity in North America and Europe and leading capabilities in the fast-growing Asia Pacific and South American markets. The combination of the two businesses enables exposure to all key-malt end-markets, making it ideally positioned to capture growing demand from both international brewers, as well as the growing craft beers and distillery markets.

Thierry Blandinières, Chairman of Malteries Soufflet and CEO of InVivo Group, commented: “I am thrilled that we have completed the acquisition of United Malt Group, together with our strategic partners, KKR, Bpifrance and Crédit Agricole Group. This illustrates InVivo Group’s commitment to making malt one of the central pillars of our business by strengthening the position of Malteries Soufflet as a world leader in the sector. Malteries Soufflet is now well on track to accelerate its growth, to expand its presence in the high value-added craft beer market and to build a more sustainable and innovative global platform to supply brewers, both craft and industrial, and distillers throughout the world. We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues from United Malt Group into the Malteries Soufflet family, and to writing together a new chapter in the company’s history.”

Jérôme Nommé, Partner and Head of France at KKR, said: “This combination of two world class businesses is a transformative milestone in our strategic partnership with French agriculture champion InVivo, as we help it to accelerate growth on a global scale. KKR’s significant reinvestment into Malteries Soufflet demonstrates our continued conviction in its future growth potential, in the resilience of the industry, and in the strength of the management team under the expert leadership of Thierry Blandinières. We look forward to the continued strategic partnership, as well as the ongoing support from Bpifrance and Crédit Agricole, as we seek to further scale the business organically and by acquisition in the years to come.”

Blaine MacDougald, Partner and Co-Head of KKR’s Strategic Investments Group, added: “The acquisition of United Malt by Malteries Soufflet is a great example of how KKR’s structured equity solutions can support businesses and their global growth ambitions. The connectedness and flexibility of KKR’s platform enables us to work creatively with owners and management teams, providing full access to KKR’s resources, global reach, and bespoke capital solutions that help our partners achieve their goals.”

KKR is making the investment in Malteries Soufflet primarily through its Strategic Investments Group strategy, and through funds and accounts managed by KKR in Asia.

KKR’s diversified and multi-asset investment platform enables flexibility to support ambitious companies with a suite of comprehensive, bespoke capital solutions, further enhanced by the firm’s global experience and operational capabilities. In France, this model along with KKR’s partnership approach, strong local presence and large global platform, enables companies to grow and globalize. KKR is a long-term investor in France, where the firm has invested over €10 billion since 2002, forming strategic partnerships with a number of leading French businesses including APRIL, Albioma, Devoteam, Mediawan, OVHcloud, among others.

— Ends —

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 KKR’s 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.

About InVivo

InVivo Group is one of Europe’s leading agricultural groups with revenues of nearly €12 billion, with more than half generated in France, and a workforce of 15,000 employees, including more than 10,000 in France. With operations in 35 countries, it has more than 100 industrial sites, including 63 in France. The
Group operates along the entire value chain, from farm to fork, as a leader in each of its four major strategic business lines: international grain trade, agriculture, agri-food (Malting, Millin/ingredients/bakery, Wine), gardening and food distribution.

A global cross-functional centre for innovative and digital solutions completes the structure to accelerate the transformation of these activities towards the 3rd agricultural revolution.

For more information: invivo-group.com / Twitter @InVivo Group<

Media Contacts

KKR
FGS Global
Alastair Elwen / Sophia Johnston
KKR-Lon@FGSGlobal.com
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7251 3801

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Aurelius acquires iconic global beauty brand and retailer The Body Shop

Aurelius Capital
  • Opportunity to re-energise an iconic global beauty and personal care brand with impressive consumer recognition
  • Trailblazer which has set the standard for beauty brands in minimising environmental impact, maximising social benefits and ensuring animal welfare
  • AURELIUS’ operational taskforce to partner with the highly experienced management team to optimise operations and develop the offering across channels

Luxembourg/Munich, November 14, 2023 – AURELIUS announces the acquisition of The Body Shop International Limited (The Body Shop) from Natura & Co S.A (NYSE – NTCO; B3 – NTCO3). The iconic global beauty brand is renowned for its heritage in cruelty-free and ethical beauty products. It is an omni-channel retailer with its own stores, e-commerce sites, international franchises and wholesale customers. The transaction is expected to close in December 2023, subject to approval by the relevant competition and regulatory authorities. The purchase agreement values The Body Shop at £207m, including an earn-out of £90m, subject to certain conditions.

The Body Shop, which is headquartered in London and employs c. 7,000 staff, has operations in 89 markets with over 900 company-owned stores in 20 countries and partnerships with head franchisees who operate c. 1,600 franchised stores in a further 69 geographies. The brand’s product portfolio comprises natural ingredient-based bath & body, skin care, fragrance, hair care, make-up and gifting. The Body Shop has been B-Corp certified since 2019, further demonstrating its leadership in ethical sourcing, sustainability, and social consciousness.

As experts in complex transactions, with a strong focus on driving operational improvements, AURELIUS will work with the management team to drive operational excellence across the group, leveraging its expertise and experience in the omni-channel retail and wholesale markets. This, combined with The Body Shop’s iconic brand and heritage in socially responsible products, means that despite the challenging retail market there is an opportunity to re-energise the business to enable it to take advantage of positive trends in the high-growth beauty market.

In recent years, AURELIUS has completed many complex corporate carve-outs across Europe, including the acquisitions of renowned brands such as Footasylum from JD Sports and LSG Sky Chefs (LSG Group) from Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

“We are delighted to be undertaking this acquisition of an iconic British brand, which pioneered the cruelty-free and natural ingredient movement in the health and beauty market. We look forward to working with CEO Ian Bickley and his team to drive operational improvements and re-energise the business, and help to deliver the next chapter of success”, comments Tristan Nagler, Partner at AURELIUS.

Ian Bickley, CEO of The Body Shop, added, “Today, we celebrate a truly historic moment for The Body Shop as we join forces with Aurelius to begin a new chapter, allowing us to continue building the relevancy of this global brand for future generations. With a presence in over 80 countries, The Body Shop is not only a beauty brand, but also an iconic social business that has captured hearts in nearly every corner of the world. We are deeply grateful to Natura &Co for their unwavering support and I’m looking forward to working hand in hand with Aurelius as we adapt and flourish in new global retail environments, always with an eye on sustainable and profitable growth.”

The Body Shop was founded in 1976 by Anita Roddick, with a small shop in Brighton/UK. At the heart of her vision stood an ethical approach to business, a purpose that was trail-blazing at the time and remains highly relevant today. The Body Shop does not test its products on animals and strives to work fairly with farmers and suppliers. By following this approach to business, The Body Shop has been a pioneer in corporate social responsibility.

For further information contact:

AURELIUS
Humza Vanderman / Methuselah Tanyanyiwa
Dentons Global Advisors
Aurelius@dentonsglobaladvisors.com
Tel: +44 (0)7824 472501

Natura &Co
Emilia Lebron
Head of External Communications
+44 (0) 7580 816371
Emilia.lebron@avon.com

Brunswick Group
São Paulo + 55 11 3076 7620
London + 44 020 7404 5959
natura@brunswickgroup.com

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