Archives

Blackstone Welcomes Industry Veteran in Japan to Support the Firm’s Accelerated Growth in the Market

Blackstone

Tokyo – July 1, 2025 – Blackstone (NYSE:BX) today announces a key senior leadership appointment in Japan, as the firm continues to expand its footprint in the market and strengthen its commitment to Japan.

Muneya Taniguchi will join as Vice Chairman of Japan and Executive Advisor to lead the firm’s expansion, primarily focusing on western Japan. Prior to Blackstone, he was with MUFG Bank as Deputy President and with Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities as Deputy Chairman, building relationships and guiding business strategies in western Japan.

Atsuhiko Sakamoto, Head of Private Equity, Blackstone Japan, said: “We are pleased to welcome industry veteran Muneya to our Blackstone Japan team. His expertise will be invaluable as we continue to expand our presence in the market and stay differentiated through our scale and partnerships. We are coming on the heels of our most active year in Japan across businesses, investing in fantastic businesses and assets and delivering for investors.”

He continued: “Japan is an integral part of Blackstone’s global business and a key driver of our growth. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the support of our Japanese partners and investors – some who have entrusted us since our founding days 40 years ago.”

Blackstone has executed a number of high-profile transactions in the country, including investing in Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho, the largest real estate investment by a foreign investor; Amutus (formerly Infocom), the leading provider of digital comics; Sony Payment Services, carveout of Sony’s payment service provider; I’rom, a preeminent Japanese site management organization; and CMIC, Japan’s top contract research organization. In Private Wealth, the firm has been a pioneer, partnering with leading Japanese financial institutions to create access to its four flagship strategies to individual investors.

About Blackstone
Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager. Blackstone seeks to deliver compelling returns for institutional and individual investors by strengthening the companies in which the firm invests. Blackstone’s $1.2 trillion in assets under management include global investment strategies focused on real estate, private equity, credit, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, secondaries and hedge funds. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow @blackstone on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

Contact
Mariko Sanchanta
Mariko.Sanchanta@Blackstone.com
+852 9012 5314

Kekst CNC
Blackstone@kekstcnc.com
090-3239-9348

Categories: People

Warner Music Group and Bain Capital Announce Launch of Joint Venture to Invest Up To $1.2 Billion in Iconic Music Catalogs

BainCapital

NEW YORK and BOSTON – July 1, 2025 – Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG), the global music entertainment company, and Bain Capital, a leading global private investment firm, are launching a joint venture to allow for the purchase of up to $1.2 billion of legendary music catalogs across both recorded music and music publishing. The partnership was formed through equal equity commitments from WMG and Bain Capital.

This new strategic venture will provide artists and songwriters with opportunities to preserve and expand the reach of their catalogs, ensuring their legacies are well cared for. WMG and Bain Capital will together source and acquire the catalogs, while WMG will manage all aspects of marketing, distribution, and administration. By combining WMG’s worldwide infrastructure and relationships with Bain Capital’s global resources and financial capabilities, the venture is well-positioned to set a new standard as the preferred partner for renowned musical talent.

This deal comes at an opportune time in the music industry, given changing fan behavior, driven by streaming and emerging technologies that introduce classic music to new audiences.

“Iconic artists and songwriters choose WMG to grow their legacies and introduce their art to new generations through impactful and innovative campaigns,” said Robert Kyncl, CEO, Warner Music Group. “Augmenting our deep expertise and global infrastructure with Bain Capital’s financial prowess and belief in music will make us the destination of choice for preeminent catalogs.”

“Timeless music content continues to sit at the center of consumer entertainment,” said Angelo Rufino, a Partner at Bain Capital. “Stewardship of catalogs has never been more important as artists and songwriters deserve support to enhance the value of their work while delivering fans new and exciting collaborations. Warner Music Group, with its deep creative resources and partnership culture, is the ideal partner for Bain Capital to work alongside as we grow and safeguard the world’s iconic music.”

Goldman Sachs and Fifth Third Bank will serve as joint lead arrangers to the joint venture.

About Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group (WMG) brings together artists, songwriters, entrepreneurs, and technology that are moving entertainment culture across the globe. Operating in more than 70 countries through a network of affiliates and licensees, WMG’s Recorded Music division includes renowned labels such as 10K Projects, 300 Entertainment, Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, EastWest, Elektra, Erato, First Night, Fueled By Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin’, Warner Records, Warner Classics, and Warner Music Nashville. WMG’s music publishing arm, Warner Chappell Music, has a catalog of over one million copyrights spanning every musical genre, from the standards of the Great American Songbook to the biggest hits of the 21st century. Warner Music Group is also home to ADA, which supports the independent community, as well as artist services division WMX. Follow WMG on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

About Bain Capital;

Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is one of the world’s leading private investment firms. We are committed to creating lasting impact for our investors, teams, businesses, and the communities in which we live. As a private partnership, we lead with conviction and a culture of collaboration, advantages that enable us to innovate investment approaches, unlock opportunities, and create exceptional outcomes. Our global platform invests across five focus areas: Private Equity, Growth & Venture, Capital Solutions, Credit & Capital Markets, and Real Assets. In these focus areas, we bring deep sector expertise and wide-ranging capabilities. We have 24 offices on four continents, more than 1,850 employees, and approximately $185 billion in assets under management. To learn more, visit www.baincapital.com. Follow @BainCapital on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

 

Categories: News

Tags:

The uvex group announces majority investment by Warburg Pincus

Warburg Pincus logo

Owner families Winter and Grau to retain significant minority stake

Fürth and Berlin, July 1, 2025 – The UVEX WINTER HOLDING GmbH & Co. KG (uvex  group), a leading family-owned provider of personal protective and sports protective  equipment, announced today that Warburg Pincus, the pioneer of private equity global growth  investing, will acquire a majority interest in the company. The owner families Winter and Grau  will retain a significant minority stake and will be actively involved in the future growth of the  business.

Founded in 1926 by Philipp M. Winter, who manufactured protective eyewear in his “Optische Industrie-Anstalt”, uvex group has evolved into a global leader in protective safety and sports  equipment. With the “protecting people” philosophy as both a mission and responsibility, uvex  group develops, manufactures and distributes products and services for the safety and  protection of people at work, in sport and for leisure pursuits.

The company differentiates itself from its peers through its high-quality products and by  ensuring its products are characterized by technological innovation, comfort of wear and  unmistakable design. By partnering with Warburg Pincus, uvex group will continue to  accelerate growth globally, expanding its international presence, refining its premium product  offering and growing in new segments. The company will also drive growth through M&A,  building on successful transactions to date.

Michael Winter, Managing Partner and CEO of uvex group, commented: “The brand promise ‘protecting people’ has guided us for 100 years. As a fourth-generation  family-owned company, we are committed to shaping the next phase of our corporate  development with a strong growth partner. Our goal is to further increase the resilience of the  uvex group in the future and remain the first choice for our customers. We are confident that  we have found such a partner in Warburg Pincus and look forward to a successful  collaboration.”

Tobias Weidner, Managing Director at Warburg Pincus, commented: “Congratulations to the Winter and Grau families for building and leading uvex group over  the last 100 years into the strong business and brand it is today. We are excited to partner  with them to continue that journey together. We share the uvex group team’s vision to  become the global market leader in protecting people through protective equipment.  Together with the family and the management team we are looking forward to bringing uvex  group’s premium products to more people around the world.”

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Media contacts: 

uvex group
Dagmar Hugenroth
+49 151 1084 8855
presse@uvex.de

Regina Frauen
+49 160 8855 105
uvex@fgsglobal.com

Warburg Pincus
Alice Gibb
+44 7827 3093 20
alice.gibb@warburgpincus.com

Katharina Gebsattel
+49 172 718 68 57
katharina.gebsattel@warburgpincus.com

About uvex group 

The uvex group brings together four companies under one roof: the uvex safety group (uvex  safety, HexArmor, laservision and Heckel), the uvex sports group (uvex sports, ALPINA and  Hiplok), the Filtral group (Filtral and Primetta) and the UD2C Group for the direct-to-consumer  online business. The uvex group is represented by 49 branch offices in 23 countries and  produces in its own factories. In total, 60% of the company’s workforce of more than 3,000  staff (as at: 2023/24 financial year) are employed in Germany. uvex is a global partner to  international elite sport and equips a host of top athletes. The “protecting people” philosophy  is both a mission and responsibility. To this end, the uvex group develops, manufactures and  distributes products and services for the safety and protection of people at work, in sport and  for leisure pursuits. For more information, please visit www.uvex-group.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Warburg Pincus 

Warburg Pincus LLC is the pioneer of private equity global growth investing. A private  partnership since 1966, the firm has the flexibility and experience to focus on helping investors  and management teams achieve enduring success across market cycles. Today, the firm has  more than $87 billion in assets under management, and more than 220 companies in their  active portfolio, diversified across stages, sectors, and geographies. Warburg Pincus has  invested in more than 1,000 companies across its private equity, real estate, and capital  solutions strategies.

The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Hong Kong,  Houston, London, Luxembourg, Mumbai, Mauritius, San Francisco, São Paulo, Shanghai, and  Singapore. For more information, please visit www.warburgpincus.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Categories: News

Tags:

KKR Acquires ProTen from Aware Super

KKR

SYDNEY–(BUSINESS WIRE)– KKR, a leading global investment firm, and Aware Super, a leading Australian super fund, today announced the signing of definitive agreements under which funds managed by KKR will acquire ProTen Pty Limited (“ProTen”), one of the largest agricultural infrastructure businesses in Australia, from Aware Super.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250701097305/en/

Established in 2001, ProTen develops, owns, and operates farm infrastructure for Australia’s poultry supply chain, and plays an important role in supporting access to affordable, sustainable nutrition for Australian households. Today, the company manages poultry infrastructure including more than 700 poultry sheds across over 60 farms, located in key agricultural regions nationwide.

Aware Super, which manages A$190 billion on behalf of its 1.2 million members, has owned ProTen since 2018 and has overseen significant growth in the business. Aware Super’s infrastructure team expanded ProTen’s operational footprint across all states, along with a four-fold expansion of its property portfolio. KKR’s investment will build on ProTen’s position for continued growth and its operational excellence in the poultry supply chain.

Andrew Jennings, Managing Director and Head of Australia & New Zealand (ANZ) Infrastructure, KKR, said, “Our investment in ProTen is a unique opportunity to acquire a high-quality agricultural infrastructure asset, supported by availability-based long-term contracts, that plays an essential role in the food supply chain. KKR has been actively monitoring the agricultural infrastructure space as a high-conviction thematic. We are impressed by the quality of ProTen’s assets, its long-term contractual relationships with its customers, and the favorable dynamics within the poultry industry. As demand for sustainable protein and resilient food supply increases in Australia, we believe ProTen is well placed for continued growth. We look forward to leveraging KKR’s global network, operational expertise, and deep experience in scaling businesses to support ProTen.”

Jiren Zhou, Aware Super Portfolio Manager – Infrastructure, said, “We are proud to have grown ProTen into the leading business it is today, through our active stewardship of the business. Following seven years of significant investment, we are delighted to achieve this result on behalf of our members, to grow their retirements funds and deliver long-term sustainable returns. This is an excellent example of how Aware Super’s disciplined and long-term approach has strengthened the fund’s high quality, diversified infrastructure portfolio, which currently has more than A$20 billion invested globally.”

James Wentworth, CEO of ProTen, said, “ProTen is very grateful for the long-standing relationship it has enjoyed with Aware Super. Over the last seven years they have been unwavering in their commitment to and investment in the business. This support and the hard work of our team has enabled us to service and grow with our customers. We look forward to an exciting new chapter with KKR. Our business, management and focus will remain unchanged – partnering with our customers to feed Australia.”

KKR is making this investment from its Asia Pacific Infrastructure Investors II Fund. This marks KKR’s latest infrastructure investment in the ANZ region. Past investments include Zenith Energy, a leading independent remote power producer in Australia; Queensland Airports Limited in Australia, which consists of four airports in Queensland, including Gold Coast Airport; Spark Infrastructure, which owns high-quality, regulated electricity networks across Australia; and Ritchies Transport, a leading transportation operator in New Zealand. KKR’s Asia Pacific infrastructure platform has grown to approximately US$13 billion in assets under management since it was established in 2019.

The transaction is expected to close later this year, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

About ProTen

ProTen is one of Australia’s largest broiler chicken growers, setting the benchmark in broiler farm operations and development. Established in 2001, the business operates over 700 poultry sheds across more than 60 broiler farms spanning New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Queensland. Driven by the mission “We grow the chickens”, ProTen is committed to contributing to the health and wellbeing of Australians by delivering affordable, sustainable, high‑quality protein. Find out more at: https://proten.com.au/

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 Aware Super

Aware Super is one of Australia’s top-performing and largest industry super funds with a core objective of delivering the strongest risk-adjusted returns for its 1.2 million members. Our Australian and London-based investment teams currently originate and manage A$190 billion AUM on behalf of our members. As one of the top 50 institutional investors globally, we typically take an active management approach across alternative assets, including infrastructure, real estate and private equity, and additionally allocate to liquid markets. Returns for our A$20 billion infrastructure portfolio are driven by a globally-diversified program which captures global trends in demography, sustainability and technology to achieve a broad universe of assets. It has a targeted focus on opportunities in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia with a sector focus on energy transition and digital opportunities. Visit aware.com.au

Media
For KKR:
Wei Jun Ong
+65 6922 5813
WeiJun.Ong@kkr.com

James Strong
+61 (0)448 881 174
james.strong@sodali.co

For Aware Super:
Brendan Altadonna
+61 409 919 891
baltadonna@gracosway.com.au

Sara Bradford
media@aware.com.au

Source: KKR

 

Download PDF

Categories: News

Tags:

Namirial and Signaturit to join forces to form a leading European Digital Transaction Management software platform

BainCapital

  • Combination will create a Pan-European Digital Transaction Management software platform with leading positions across Italy, Spain, France, and Germany.

Senigallia, Paris, and Barcelona – July 1, 2025 – Namirial and Signaturit, both leading European providers of Digital Transaction Management (“DTM”) software solutions backed by Bain Capital and PSG Equity (“PSG”) respectively, have today entered exclusive negotiations for Signaturit to join the Namirial Group. Through this transaction, which remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and employee representative consultation, PSG will exit its investment through its PSG Europe I fund and, alongside Signaturit management, will reinvest in the combined platform as a significant minority partner alongside Namirial’s shareholders Bain Capital, Ambienta and Namirial’s founder and management.

The combination of Namirial and Signaturit will create a leading Pan-European DTM provider with a leading position across Italy, Spain, France, and Germany with  ~1,400 employees and serving ~240,000 customers worldwide. The newly combined group would stand to benefit from significant structural tailwinds from the continuous digitization of business operations and increasingly robust European compliance and security standards and requirements. Finally, the highly adjacent product offerings of both companies will enable the combined group to further broaden the range of solutions offered to the combined customer base.

Founded in 2013 in Spain, and backed by PSG since 2020, Signaturit is one of the leading providers of cloud-based DTM services in Southern Europe, offering solutions across digital identity management, Digital Signature, KYC & fraud prevention, and eID wallet. Its platform provides end-to-end SaaS-based DTM solutions to customers in more than 40 countries. Since its initial investment in 2020, PSG has supported Signaturit’s continued growth and international expansion, both organically and inorganically. Over the past five years, Signaturit has grown its Annual Recurring Revenue by over >10x, developing from a single product provider in Spain to a leading DTM and trust services software provider across Southern Europe.

Namirial, which Bain Capital announced it was acquiring from Ambienta in March 2025 (closing expected in July 2025), is a leading provider of digital transaction management software solutions. Founded in Italy in 2000, Namirial is renowned and trusted by customers for its comprehensive suite of digital solutions that include e-signature workflows, onboarding and digital identity orchestration, digital trust technologies, and qualified electronic archiving for Enterprises, SMEs and Professionals. The company has successfully expanded its product offerings and geographic presence through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, with a strong core presence in Italy and growing international reach across Europe and presence across 85 countries worldwide.

Max Pellegrini, CEO of the Namirial Group, said: “Businesses are operating in an increasingly digital environment, where stringent security and compliance standards are the norm. Digital Transaction Management software solutions have become essential for meeting these requirements. As demand continues to grow for secure, seamless, and cross-border digital processes, our combined expertise, advanced technology, and broad customer reach will allow us to support international organizations operating across multiple countries. We are extremely pleased to welcome Pierre and the whole Signaturit team to Namirial and look forward to partnering with them and our shareholders to drive growth in the next years.”

Pierre Feligioni, CEO of Signaturit, added: “Together, we have a significant opportunity to drive innovation, expand into key international geographies, and deliver even greater value to our customers. We’re confident that our combined strengths will shape the future of Digital Transaction Management across Europe and beyond. I am pleased to join the ambitious project of the Group and partner with Max and the whole team to develop the business into the leading DTM platform in the next years.”

Enrico Giacomelli, Founder of Namirial, said: “We are proud that Namirial and Signaturit are joining forces to create a leading DTM software platform in Europe. This transaction represents an important step in the international development of Namirial and it would not be possible without the incredible commitment and motivation of the Namirial and Signaturit teams. We are excited about what the future holds for us. As I always like to say: #TheBestIsYetToCome.”
Dany Rammal, Managing Director and Head of Europe at PSG Equity, said: “Over the past five years, we’ve been proud to partner with Signaturit’s talented management team on its impressive growth journey, including scaling the business to become a European leader in the space. The combination of Signaturit and Namirial represents a transformative step forward. We are excited to continue supporting the combined business alongside Bain Capital, Ambienta and Namirial’s founder and management as it enters its next chapter of growth.”

Giovanni Camera, a Partner at Bain Capital, added: “This strategic combination between Namirial and Signaturit builds on our commitment to invest in innovative solutions that drive digital transformation across Europe. Namirial has consistently demonstrated its capacity to grow and innovate within the Digital Transaction Management software sector, both organically and via strategic transactions. By joining forces with Signaturit, we are poised to create a Pan-European leader that is well-equipped to capture emerging opportunities in this growthful sector. We are excited to partner with the combined team to accelerate their trajectory and solidify their position as a European leader in DTM.”

Giancarlo Beraudo, a Partner at Ambienta SGR, added: “This milestone marks another significant step in Namirial’s expansion. We are proud to continue backing a company that is shaping the future of Digital Transaction Management and strengthening its position in this dynamic market.”

About Namirial
Namirial supports customers in their digital transformation journey by providing software solutions for trusted digital transaction management. Namirial digital trust products encompass solutions for customer onboarding, agreement automation, e-signature workflow orchestration, digital identification, certified communications, long-term qualified archiving, and electronic invoicing. Founded in 2000 in Italy, Namirial is operating today in over 85 countries, employing approximately 1000 people. Together with its international network of over 1,000 strategic partners, Namirial serves thousands of customers worldwide, processing several million transactions every day. Namirial is accredited as a qualified trust service provider under EU Regulation 910/2014 eIDAS and is actively engaging in the evolution of the EU Digital Identity Framework and new trust services as defined in EU Regulation 2024/1183. To learn more, visit www.namirial.com and follow @Namirial on LinkedIn.

About Signaturit
Signaturit is a Qualified Trust Service Provider that offers a broad range of cloud-based solutions in the field of Digital Transaction Management including digital identity management, Digital Signature, KYC & fraud prevention, and eID wallet to digitize transactions between companies and individuals, securely and with legal compliance. Founded in 2013, the company serves over 90,000 customers in more than 40 countries. Signaturit’s Trust Services seek to optimize secure, compliant and user-friendly digital transactions and to reduce paper consumption, thereby improving and streamlining business processes for their customers. For more information on Signaturit, please visit www.signaturit.com/en.

About Bain Capital
Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is one of the world’s leading private investment firms. We are committed to creating lasting impact for our investors, teams, businesses, and the communities in which we live. As a private partnership, we lead with conviction and a culture of collaboration, advantages that enable us to innovate investment approaches, unlock opportunities, and create exceptional outcomes. Our global platform invests across five focus areas: Private Equity, Growth & Venture, Capital Solutions, Credit & Capital Markets, and Real Assets. In these focus areas, we bring deep sector expertise and wide-ranging capabilities. Our Special Situations team focuses on capital solutions opportunities that provide companies flexible capital that meets their specific needs, coupled with deep operational, strategic and financial value-add capabilities. We have 24 offices on four continents, more than 1,850 employees, and approximately $185 billion in assets under management. To learn more, visit www.baincapital.com. Follow @Bain Capital on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

About PSG Equity
PSG is a growth equity firm that partners with software and technology-enabled services companies to help them navigate transformational growth, capitalize on strategic opportunities, and build strong teams. Having backed more than 150 companies and facilitated over 520 add-on acquisitions, PSG brings extensive investment experience, deep expertise in software and technology, and a firm commitment to collaborating with management teams. Founded in 2014, PSG operates out of offices in Boston, Kansas City, London, Paris, Madrid, and Tel Aviv. To learn more about PSG, visit www.psgequity.com.

About Ambienta
Ambienta is a European investment manager pioneering sustainable investing in environmental champions across private equity, public markets, and private credit. With offices in Milan, London, Paris, and Munich, Ambienta manages over €4bn in assets and is backed by a global and growing investor base. The firm invests in companies driven by environmental megatrends and whose products or services improve Resource Efficiency or Pollution Control. Its science-driven approach identifies environmental champions of the real economy – businesses that deliver strong financial returns while generating measurable positive environmental impact.  An industry pioneer, Ambienta was one of the first UN PRI signatories in 2012 and attained B-Corp status in 2019. In 2020, Ambienta became IIGCC member and in 2023 committed to the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). www.ambientasgr.com

Categories: News

Tags:

Rehlko Reaches Agreement to Sell Curtis Instruments to Parker Hannifin

Platinum

Transaction supports long-term growth for both organizations

MILWAUKEE, Wis – June 30, 2025: Rehlko, a global leader in energy resilience, announced today that it has reached a definitive agreement to transition ownership of its Curtis Instruments business to Parker Hannifin Corporation, the global leader in motion and control technologies, for approximately $1 billion in cash. The transaction, which is expected to close by the end of calendar year 2025, reflects Rehlko’s strategic focus on strengthening its core enterprise capabilities and commitment to delivering industry leading energy resilience solutions for our customers.

“Rehlko is proud of the legacy and performance of Curtis as a high-performing, innovation-driven business,” said Brian Melka, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rehlko. “Parker is an exceptional company and we are confident Curtis will thrive from Parker’s increased scale, focus, and investment.”

Rehlko’s decision to transition Curtis aligns with its disciplined portfolio management approach. The move positions both Rehlko and Curtis to pursue independent growth strategies, focused on accelerating innovation and expanding customer impact. Rehlko was acquired by Platinum Equity in 2024.

“We have great respect for Curtis, its leadership team and its innovative products, and we are confident that Parker Hannifin is the right home for the business going forward. Divesting Curtis allows Rehlko to more intensely focus on its core mission to deliver energy resiliency solutions for its customers.”

Jacob Kotzubei, Co-President and Matthew Louie, Managing Director, Platinum Equity

“This transaction is aligned with the long-term electrification secular trend and meets our disciplined financial criteria for acquisitions designed to create shareholder value,” said Jenny Parmentier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Parker. “Curtis adds complementary technologies to our existing industrial electrification platform, better positioning us to serve our customers as they continue the adoption of more electric and hybrid solutions. Rehlko and Platinum Equity have been good stewards of the business and great partners throughout this process. We anticipate a smooth closing and look forward to welcoming the Curtis team.”

Platinum Equity praised the deal and said it’s part of an ongoing strategic process to optimize Rehlko’s portfolio that also includes expected investments in buy-side M&A.

“We have great respect for Curtis, its leadership team and its innovative products, and we are confident that Parker Hannifin is the right home for the business going forward,” said Platinum Equity Co-President Jacob Kotzubei and Managing Director Matthew Louie in a joint statement. “Divesting Curtis allows Rehlko to more intensely focus on its core mission to deliver energy resiliency solutions for its customers. We are working with Rehlko’s CEO Brian Melka and the leadership team to pursue both organic and inorganic growth opportunities that will expand Rehlko’s reach, enhance its capabilities, and reinforce its position as a leader in mission-critical power solutions.”

Until the transaction closes, Curtis will continue to operate as part of Rehlko, with both companies focused on delivering the same high-quality products, services, and support that has defined its market-leading position for over six decades.

BofA Securities, Inc. and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC are serving as financial advisors and Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP is serving as legal counsel to Rehlko. Guggenheim Securities, LLC is serving as financial advisor, Jones Day is serving as principal deal counsel, and Eversheds Sutherland is serving as European legal counsel to Parker.

About Rehlko

A global leader in energy resilience, Rehlko delivers innovative energy solutions critical to sustain and improve life across home energy, industrial energy systems, and powertrain technologies, by delivering control, resilience and innovation. Leveraging the strength of its portfolio of businesses – Power Systems, Home Energy, Uninterruptible Power, Clarke Energy, Curtis Instruments, and Engines, and more than a century of industry leadership, Rehlko builds resilience where and when the grid cannot, and goes beyond functional, individual recovery to create better lives and communities, and a more durable and reliable energy future.

About Parker Hannifin

Parker Hannifin is a Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies. For more than a century the company has been enabling engineering breakthroughs that lead to a better tomorrow. Parker has increased its annual dividend per share paid to shareholders for 69 consecutive fiscal years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index. Learn more at www.parker.com or @parkerhannifin.

Categories: News

Tags:

Apollo Funds Complete Acquisitions of International Game Technology’s Gaming & Digital Business and Everi; Combined Enterprise to Operate as IGT

Apollo logo

Establishes IGT as a Premier Platform for Innovation, Delivering Exceptional Content and Scalable Solutions Across the Global Gaming Ecosystem

NEW YORK and LAS VEGAS, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Apollo (NYSE: APO) today announced the completion of the previously announced acquisitions of International Game Technology PLC’s (doing business as “Brightstar Lottery”) Gaming & Digital Business and Everi Holdings Inc. (“Everi”) by a holding company owned by funds managed by Apollo affiliates (the “Apollo Funds”). The all-cash transaction, valued at approximately $6.3 billion, brings together complementary businesses to form a privately held global leader in gaming, digital and financial technology solutions.

The two companies will be integrated into a combined enterprise in the coming months. Headquartered in Las Vegas, the combined enterprise will operate under the IGT name, while retaining the Everi brand in select markets and product lines. IGT will be organized into three business units: Gaming, Digital and FinTech, creating a customer-first enterprise supported by a people-first culture that values talent, collaboration and innovation.

“This is a defining moment for our industry,” said Nick Khin, Interim CEO of IGT. “By uniting two leading organizations, we are building an enterprise with the scale, talent and technology to lead the future of gaming. With Apollo’s support, we are very well-positioned to deliver exceptional content across land-based and digital experiences, along with integrated financial solutions and casino management that enhance the player journey and drive value for our customers. I’m honored to be part of this exciting chapter and to help shape the future of IGT.”

As previously announced, Hector Fernandez is expected to assume the role of CEO of IGT in the fourth quarter of 2025, following the expiration of a customary non-compete period. Until then, Mr. Khin will lead the organization and transition into the role of CEO of IGT’s Gaming business unit upon Mr. Fernandez’s arrival.

“Bringing together highly complementary businesses creates a more competitive, agile and well-capitalized platform built for long-term growth,” said Daniel Cohen, Partner at Apollo. “We are confident that IGT is well positioned to deliver differentiated content and capabilities that better serve customers across the globe. We look forward to working closely with Hector, Nick and the rest of the talented IGT team to lead the industry forward.”

Effective today, Everi common stock has been delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. Everi stockholders are receiving $14.25 per share in cash, and International Game Technology PLC is receiving $4.05 billion of gross cash proceeds.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is serving as legal counsel to the Apollo Funds.

About IGT

IGT is a leading global provider of gaming, digital and financial technology solutions, formed through the combination of International Game Technology PLC’s Gaming & Digital Business and Everi Holdings Inc. IGT’s offering spans gaming machines, game content and systems, iGaming, sports betting, cash access, loyalty and player engagement solutions, enabling it to deliver integrated, customer-centric experiences across land-based and digital environments. Organized into Gaming, Digital and FinTech business units, IGT drives innovation, efficiency and value for casino, digital and hospitality operators worldwide. The company is headquartered in Las Vegas.

About Apollo

Apollo is a high-growth, global alternative asset manager. In our asset management business, we seek to provide our clients excess return at every point along the risk-reward spectrum from investment grade credit to private equity. For more than three decades, our investing expertise across our fully integrated platform has served the financial return needs of our clients and provided businesses with innovative capital solutions for growth. Through Athene, our retirement services business, we specialize in helping clients achieve financial security by providing a suite of retirement savings products and acting as a solutions provider to institutions. Our patient, creative, and knowledgeable approach to investing aligns our clients, businesses we invest in, our employees, and the communities we impact, to expand opportunity and achieve positive outcomes. As of March 31, 2025, Apollo had approximately $785 billion of assets under management. To learn more, please visit www.apollo.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “foresee,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “will,” and “would” and the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. In addition, all statements regarding IGT’s business following its acquisition by the Apollo Funds are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions; the ability to retain and hire key personnel; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the acquisitions; risks related to competition in the gaming and lottery industries; dependence on significant licensing arrangements, customers, or other third parties; economic changes in global markets, such as currency exchange, inflation and interest rates, and recession; government policies (including policy changes affecting the gaming industry, taxation, trade, tariffs, immigration, customs, and border actions) and other external factors that IGT cannot control; regulation and litigation matters relating to the acquisitions; unanticipated adverse effects or liabilities from business divestitures; risks related to intellectual property, privacy matters, and cyber security (including losses and other consequences from failures, breaches, attacks, or disclosures involving information technology infrastructure and data); other business effects (including the effects of industry, market, economic, political, or regulatory conditions); and other risks and uncertainties. Neither IGT nor the Apollo Funds intends to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments, except as required by law.

Contacts

For IGT
Phil O’Shaughnessy
VP Global Communications, Government Relations & Sustainability
Toll free in U.S./Canada +1 (844) IGT-7452; outside U.S./Canada +1 (401) 392-7452
Phil.oshaughnessy@igt.com

For Apollo
Noah Gunn
Global Head of Investor Relations
(212) 822-0540
IR@apollo.com

Joanna Rose
Global Head of Corporate Communications
(212) 822-0491
Communications@apollo.com

Categories: News

Tags:

Accent Equity-owned Plockmatic Group acquires Renz to strengthen product portfolio

Accent Equity

  • Plockmatic Group has signed an agreement to acquire Chr. Renz Gmbh (“Renz”) in Germany, including subsidiaries in Australia, Argentina, UK and Turkey
  • This acquisition is an opportunity to enter into the ring wire binding segment, which is a natural complement to Plockmatic Group’s existing offering
  • Plockmatic Group sees significant synergies with Renz within key areas such as sales, production, sourcing and R&D, with the ambition to broaden Plockmatic Group’s geographic footprint and develop the next generation of automised professional ring wire binding equipment for calendar and book production

Plockmatic Group has signed an agreement to acquire Chr. Renz Gmbh, the world leading producer of ring wire binding machines and supplies, headquartered in Heubach, Germany. The offering includes development and production of ring wire binding machines for the professional and office segments, as well as in-house production of premium quality wire binding consumables.

Following significant hardships during the covid-19 pandemic, Renz was forced into insolvency proceedings in 2024. The insolvency process is expected to be finalised during Q3 2025 and closing of the transaction is expected to take place in connection with this.

“The acquisition of Renz will be a great opportunity for Plockmatic Group, where we see several opportunities and synergies between our organizations, and to further expand our value proposition as solution provider to our customers. With Renz becoming a part of Plockmatic Group, we will also get a strong and local sales organisation in Germany, which we have identified as an important growth market for Plockmatic Group going forward” says Jan Marstorp, CEO of Plockmatic Group.

 

“Becoming part of Plockmatic Group and finding a long-term solution for Renz, following some very challenging years, make us look at the future with confidence again. With the insolvency proceedings behind us and access to Plockmatic Group´s resources we will now be able to invest in new products and continue long-term partnerships with our customers and suppliers” says Michael Schubert, CEO of Renz.

For additional information, please contact:

Oscar Claeson, Partner at Accent Equity, +46 70 108 99 99
oscar.claeson@accentequity.se
Jan Marstorp, CEO Plockmatic Group, +46 70 542 00 14
jan.marstorp@plockmatic.com
Michael Schubert, CEO Chr. Renz GmbH, +49 7173 186 70
schubert@renz.com

About Plockmatic Group:
Plockmatic Group, founded in 1974, provides high-end automation and document finishing solutions for the global printing and packaging industries. The company is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, with sales companies in UK, USA, Italy and Norway, as well as modern inhouse production located in Latvia. The company has 300 employees and revenues of EUR 70 million (2024).
www.plockmaticgroup.com

About Renz:
Chr. Renz Gmbh, founded in 1908, is the world leading producer of ring wire binding machines and supplies, headquartered in Heubach, Germany with subsidiaries in UK, Australia, Argentina and Turkey and clients in more than 80 countries. The company has 100 employees and revenues of EUR 14.6 million (2024).
www.renz.com

About Accent Equity:
Accent Equity has since 1994 invested in private Nordic companies where a new partner or owner can serve as a catalyst. Our ambition is to invest in and develop the companies to be Nordic, European or Global leaders through a professional, hands-on and long-term oriented approach that results in superior and sustainable returns.
accentequity.se
Follow Accent Equity on LinkedIn

Categories: News

Tags:

Stonepeak Completes Acquisition of Forgital

Stonepeak

John Slattery, former GE Aerospace executive, appointed Chairman of the Forgital Board of Directors

NEW YORK & VELO D’ASTICO – June 30, 2025 – Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets, today announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition of Forgital Group (“Forgital” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer of advanced forged and machine-finished components for aerospace and industrial end markets.

Conor Sutherland, Managing Director at Stonepeak, said, “We are thrilled to reach this milestone. Forgital has established itself as a trusted partner to leading aerospace manufacturers and industrial customers through its commitment to quality, innovation and reliability. We see tremendous opportunity ahead for the Company, magnified by durable demand in the aerospace end market. We are excited to partner with the Forgital team to support this next phase of growth.”

“With Stonepeak’s support, we are well positioned to accelerate our strategic agenda,” said Meddah Hadjar, CEO of Forgital Group. “They share our vision and bring deep expertise in mission-critical infrastructure and industrial growth platforms, which aligns well with the demands of our aerospace sector. I am confident in our path forward as we continue to innovate and grow with our customers by delivering precision-engineered components for the most demanding applications.”

In conjunction with today’s announcement, John Slattery has been appointed as Chairman of the Forgital Board of Directors. Mr. Slattery brings deep aerospace industry expertise, most recently serving as Chief Commercial Officer of GE Aerospace and previously as President & CEO of GE Aviation, where he played a critical role in the company’s transformation to an independent, public company in 2024. Prior to his time at GE, he served as President & CEO of Commercial Aviation at Embraer.

“I am delighted to be joining Forgital’s Board at the start of this next chapter, and I look forward to working with the Company’s management team and Stonepeak. I see significant opportunity for the Company, and believe that Forgital’s proud heritage dating to its inception in 1873 provides a strong foundation for continued success,” said John Slattery, Chairman of the Forgital Board of Directors.

Mr. Sutherland added, “We welcome John to the Board. His insight and leadership will be a tremendous asset to Forgital.”

About Stonepeak
Stonepeak is a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets with approximately $73 billion of assets under management. Through its investment in defensive, hard-asset businesses globally, Stonepeak aims to create value for its investors and portfolio companies, with a focus on downside protection and strong risk-adjusted returns. Stonepeak, as sponsor of private equity and credit investment vehicles, provides capital, operational support, and committed partnership to grow investments in its target sectors, which include transport and logistics, digital infrastructure, energy and energy transition, and real estate. Stonepeak is headquartered in New York with offices in Houston, Washington, D.C., London, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh. For more information, please visit www.stonepeak.com.

About Forgital

Forgital is a leading, vertically integrated Group focused on the manufacturing of seamless rolled rings in rectangular or profiled sections, as well as assembled fan modules, covering the largest range of sizes. Forgital specializes in forging rolled rings, with technologically advanced capabilities across a broad range of materials, including titanium, nickel and cobalt alloys, carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel and aluminium. Forgital’s Compact Supply Chain simplifies the production process of its customers through an integrated system of technologies and services which encompasses all the steps of the project: from the pre-processing to the post-processing phase (including finishing, welding and macroetching).

Contacts

For Stonepeak
Kate Beers / Maya Brounstein
corporatecomms@stonepeak.com
+1 (646) 540-5225

For Forgital
Mara Rezzadore
Mara.Rezzadore@forgital.com
+39 0445 731322

Categories: News

Tags:

Genstar Names Timothy D. Armour to Strategic Advisory Board

Former Capital Group CEO and Investment Management Industry Veteran to Advise on Genstar’s Investments and Drive Growth for Portfolio Companies

SAN FRANCISCO, June 30, 2025—Genstar Capital, a leading private equity firm focused on investments in targeted segments of the financial services, industrials, software, and healthcare industries, today announced the appointment of Timothy D. Armour, a distinguished investment management executive, to the firm’s Strategic Advisory Board (“SAB”). Mr. Armour will focus on Genstar’s investments in the financial services sector.

Mr. Armour has over four decades of experience in financial services, including most recently serving as Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Capital Group, the world’s largest active fund manager with over $2.8 trillion in assets under management. Earlier in his career, he served as an equity investment analyst at Capital Group, where he covered global telecommunications and U.S. service companies. Mr. Armour holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Middlebury College.

Tony Salewski, Managing Partner at Genstar Capital, said, “Tim is widely respected in the investment management industry with decades of experience in navigating complex market dynamics. His strategic vision, proven leadership, and extensive network will be invaluable as we continue to deliver long-term value for our portfolio companies.”

Mr. Armour said, “I am thrilled to be joining Genstar’s Strategic Advisory Board. Genstar is known for its deep sector expertise in the financial services industry, and I look forward to working alongside the team to explore new opportunities and support existing investments.”

Genstar’s SAB convenes current and former C-level operational experts with deep sector expertise in the industries in which the firm invests. A cornerstone of its investment thesis, SAB members work closely with Genstar portfolio companies to help them realize their full growth potential. SAB members also collaborate with Genstar’s investment professionals to diligence investment opportunities.

About Genstar Capital

Genstar Capital (www.gencap.com) is a leading private equity firm that has been actively investing in high-quality companies for over 30 years. Based in San Francisco, Genstar works in partnership with its management teams and its network of strategic advisors to transform its portfolio companies into industry-leading businesses. Genstar currently has approximately $50 billion of assets under management and targets investments focused on targeted segments of the financial services, software, healthcare, and industrials industries.

Contact:
For Genstar Capital:
FGS Global
GenstarCapital@fgsglobal.com

Categories: People