Archives

The Carlyle Group and Schneider Electric extend partnership to develop Critical Infrastructure projects

Carlyle

  • The partnership is designed to develop new and innovative infrastructure projects meeting the growing need for sustainable investment in critical assets and services
  • The companies will focus on delivering digitally-enabled and efficient critical assets by combining Carlyle Infrastructure’s investing and asset-operator expertise with smart energy management and automation solutions from Schneider Electric
  • The partnership builds on and expands the existing strategic alliance to widely deploy microgrids through customer adoption of energy-as-a-service offering

WASHINGTON, DC AND RUEIL-MALMAISON (FRANCE) – Global investment firm, The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) and Schneider Electric SE (EPA: SU), the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today announced the enhancement of their partnership to develop new and innovative infrastructure projects.

In addition to creating new investment and energy-as-a-service opportunities, this collaboration will apply Schneider Electric’s capabilities in advanced connectivity and real-time insights to current and future Carlyle infrastructure and microgrid investments.

In a market which faced sustained underinvestment in critical infrastructure due to funding constraints, the new partnership will offer innovative and efficient solutions meeting the needs of a rapidly changing energy landscape.

The Carlyle Group recently announced several large infrastructure projects, including the JFK Airport Terminal One Redevelopment, Munich Airport Joint Venture (Reach Airports) and Lone Star Ports Harbor Island Crude Export Terminal, which are expected to benefit from this partnership and Schneider’s breadth of technology-enabled products, solutions and services.

The JFK Airport Terminal One Redevelopment, the most recently announced project, is expected to leverage Schneider Electric’s solutions to improve the sustainability of the terminal and enhance the reliability of the airport’s energy supply through a state-of-the-art microgrid. The redevelopment is expected to reduce energy use by as much as 30% and contribute to a goal of reaching 100% renewable energy usage within the next decade.

The new partnership also entails the formation of a joint venture, named AlphaStruxure to drive from the design and engineering phase the development of smarter infrastructure projects and more reliable distributed energy and microgrid networks.  Juan Macias, formerly SVP of Energy Automation and Digital Energy Solutions at Schneider Electric, will lead AlphaStruxure as the Chief Executive Officer, drawing on his broad experience in global energy technology and new market endeavors over a nearly 30-year career in the energy and industrial sectors.

The $18 trillion U.S. economy relies on a vast network of infrastructure that was built decades ago and plays a major role in the growth of the economy[1]; delayed investment and rising maintenance costs are however limiting the economic growth potential of these critical infrastructure. Innovative private sector partnerships, such as this one, can bring new solutions to upgrade critical infrastructure within airports, seaports, water treatment and delivery, institutions, communities and the private sector to optimize energy consumption, deliver cost savings and improve productivity and reliability

“People everywhere rely daily on infrastructure that does not meet the demands of a 21st century economy,” said Andrew Marino, Managing Director and Co-Head of Carlyle’s global infrastructure team. “AlphaStruxure delivers a powerful combination of cutting-edge automation and energy management technology and expertise, and financing solutions to turn this important global issue on its head. Together, we will identify new investment opportunities, modernize core infrastructure to keep people and goods moving, and open new value and revenue streams for both public and private entities. We look forward to a prominent role in shaping the future of infrastructure around the world.”

“Strong and resilient critical infrastructure is fundamental to powering and maintaining our digital economy. We are just scratching the surface of the investment needed to create more modern airports, water systems, transportation systems and others that will support future demand and connect society,” said Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman and CEO, Schneider Electric. “While infrastructure is a global issue, it can only be addressed at a local level. We believe our partnership leverages the best of our organizations’ abilities: Carlyle’s ability to get deals done with local stakeholders support and our global technology expertise and footprint to optimize projects that will provide immediate, tangible impact for economies globally.”

AlphaStruxure builds on Schneider Electric and The Carlyle Group’s strategic alliance to deliver an energy-as-a-service model that empowers customers to stabilize long-term energy costs and upgrade critical energy infrastructure. By providing energy-as-a-service, customers have a platform to own and operate microgrids without capital outlay, as well as a simpler solution to meet operational efficiency and clean energy goals.

* * * * *

About The Carlyle Group

The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across four business segments: Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Credit and Investment Solutions. With $216 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2018, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of our investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. The Carlyle Group employs more than 1,650 people in 31 offices across six continents.

Web: www.carlyle.com
Videos: www.youtube.com/onecarlyle
Tweets: www.twitter.com/onecarlyle
Podcasts: www.carlyle.com/about-carlyle/market-commentary

About Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric is leading the Digital Transformation of Energy Management and Automation in Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries. With global presence in over 100 countries, Schneider is the undisputable leader in Power Management – Medium Voltage, Low Voltage and Secure Power, and in Automation Systems. Schneider provides integrated efficiency solutions, combining energy, automation and software. Schneider believes that great people and partners make Schneider a great company and that its commitment to Innovation, Diversity and Sustainability ensures that Life Is On everywhere, for everyone and at every moment. www.schneider-electric.com

Contact

The Carlyle Group
Liz Gill: +1 (202) 729-5385
elizabeth.gill@carlyle.com

Schneider Electric

Véronique Luneau (Roquet-Montégon) : +33 (0)1 41 29 70 76

[1] A 2014 University of Maryland study found that infrastructure investments added as much as $3 to GDP growth for every dollar spent, with a larger impact realized during a recession

Categories: News

Tags:

Naxicap Partners supports MYRE’s business acceleration in a €2 million round of fund raising

Naxicap

Naxicap Partners has acquired a stake in MYRE, a SaaS platform created in 2016 and dedicated to real estate
asset managers in the tertiary real estate sector.
This new €2 million round of fund raising was conducted with some of the company’s historical investors, Keys Asset
Management, Naxicap Partners, and business angels. Employees were also involved in this new fundraising campaign to
strengthen the cohesion and commitment of the entire team to the company’s project.
This financing will accelerate the development of the platform, which has been evolving constantly since its launch in
March 2018: agile mode development allows the company to intervene with great flexibility, taking into account the needs of customers and users. New features are integrated every month.
The company’s growth will require new functionalities but also the development of contiguous markets. MYRE’s goal is to become the go-to proptech player in the real estate asset management business, a sector that is currently undergoing a major digital transformation.

MYRE was created out of the desire to decompartmentalise the world of professional real estate. Deborah Fritz and her
partners (Ariel Boukobza, Isabelle Teboul Cohen, and Arnaud Fritz), observing a fundamental lack of efficiency and
reliability of financial and legal data, came up with an innovative tool that integrates and standardises on a single application data that is currently scattered and modelled using tools that are archaic and do not communicate.
The www.getmyre.com application enables players involved in the financial, operational and legal management of assets to work together at all stages of the life cycle. Transparency of information and its availability are also crucial issues.

Reliable and consolidated data makes it possible to optimise management, increase asset performance and accelerate
transactions. There are many benefits for customers, with an average 30% time saving on administrative tasks and better communication between teams and businesses.
To date, more than one million sq. m have been modelled in MYRE, a fourfold increase compared to when it was first
marketed a year ago.

Participants:
Naxicap Partners: Eric Aveillan, Nicolas Sebille
– Corporate business lawyers and legal due diligence: Edge Avocats (Claire Baufine Ducrocq)
– Financial due diligence: Exelmans (Emmanuel Riou, Jérôme Duflos)
MYRE: Deborah Fritz, Isabelle Teboul Cohen, Ariel Boukobza, Arnaud Fritz
– Corporate business lawyers: Karine Lenczner
– Chartered accountant: Fiduciaire de la Seine Saint-Denis, Samuel Hollander
Keys Asset Management: Pierre Matteï, Steve Lepine

About Naxicap Partners
As one of the top private equity firms in France, Naxicap Partners – an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers* – has
€3.1 billion in assets under management. As a committed, responsible investor, Naxicap Partners builds solid, constructive partnerships with entrepreneurs so that their projects can succeed. The firm has 39 investment professionals spread across five offices in Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Nantes, and Frankfurt.
For more information, visit www.naxicap.fr/en

About Natixis Investment Managers*
Natixis Investment Managers serves financial professionals with more insightful ways to construct portfolios. Powered by the expertise of more than 20 specialized investment managers globally, we apply Active ThinkingSM to deliver proactive solutions that help clients pursue better outcomes in all markets. Natixis ranks among the world’s largest asset management firms* with €808bn** Headquartered in Paris and Boston, Natixis Investment Managers is a subsidiary of Natixis. Listed on the Paris Stock Exchange, Natixis is a subsidiary of BPCE, the second-largest banking group in France.
For additional information, please visit the company’s website at im.natixis.com | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/natixisinvestment-managers. Natixis Investment Managers includes all of the investment management and distribution entities affiliated with Natixis Distribution, L.P. and Natixis Investment Managers S.A. Natixis Distribution, L.P. is a limited purpose broker-dealer and the distributor of various registered investment companies for which advisory services are provided by
affiliates of Natixis Investment Managers. Provided by Natixis Investment Managers International – a portfolio management
company authorized by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (French Financial Markets Authority – AMF) under No. GP
90-009, and a public limited company (société anonyme) registered in the Paris Trade and Companies Register under No.
329 450 738. Registered office: 43 avenue Pierre Mendès France, 75013 Paris.
* Cerulli Quantitative Update: Global Markets 2018 ranked Natixis Investment Managers (formerly Natixis Global Asset Management) as the 16th
largest asset manager in the world based on assets under management as of December 31 2017
**Net asset value as at December 31st 2018, Assets under management (“AUM”), as reported, may include notional assets, assets serviced, gross assets and other types of non-regulatory AUM.

About MYRE
MYRE was founded on the observation that the real estate sector did not have the modern tools needed to meet the
financial and risk management challenges. For many years, our team has been working in a sector that is not very
digitalized and often resistant to change. Be this in financial, legal or operational management, we found that tertiary real estate has been using archaic or complicated tools that do not communicate with each other. Asset managers therefore have data that is not up to date and comes from a wide variety of tools. It was thus necessary to invent a tool that would create a new way of working, decompartmentalize business lines and allow work to be done using standardised, reliable and instantaneous data. We have been working on this since 2016 by offering a platform that meets the needs of the asset manager and other players in its ecosystem as close as possible. MYRE’s goal is first and foremost to change the way professional real estate players work together, in a far-reaching, sustainable and structuring manner. For us, technology’s rightful role is to best respond to business challenges and be an instrument at the service of a greater ambition: improve communication, risk management and data transparency in order to boost efficiency and build the real estate management tool of tomorrow.
www.getmyre.com

Categories: News

Platinum Equity and The Gores Group Sell Data Blue to Court Square Capital Partners

Platinum

Los Angeles, CA, April 11, 2019 – Platinum Equity and The Gores Group announced today the sale of Data Blue to Court Square Capital Partners. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 2011, Data Blue is a provider of customized infrastructure, cloud architecture and virtualized solutions to enterprise customers in North America.

Platinum Equity and The Gores Group, through its Gores Small Capitalization Partners fund, acquired a controlling stake in Data Blue in 2016 and worked together with the company’s management team to drive growth and operational improvement plans.

“We’ve enjoyed a great partnership over the past three years that has helped substantially grow and diversify our business,” said Data Blue CEO Stephen Ayoub. “We have evolved from our roots in data storage and established the company as a leading provider of converged infrastructure solutions that is well positioned for continued success.”

“We’ve worked together to create an efficient, truly scalable platform that is built for sustainable growth,” said Platinum Equity Partner Jacob Kotzubei. “It’s been a real collaborative effort and we are proud of everything the company has accomplished during our stewardship.”

Since 2016, Data Blue’s revenue has grown nearly 50 percent as the company has deepened relationships with technology partners, developed an Infrastructure Transformation practice, invested in new sales and marketing capabilities, and completed two add-on acquisitions.“We’ve worked together to create an efficient, truly scalable platform that is built for sustainable growth,” said Platinum Equity Partner Jacob Kotzubei. “It’s been a real collaborative effort and we are proud of everything the company has accomplished during our stewardship.”

Ed Johnson, Senior Managing Director at The Gores Group, said, “Data Blue has evolved into a world class IT solutions provider through impressive gains organically and through execution of a successful M&A strategy. We wish Stephen and the team great future success.”

In January 2017 Data Blue acquired LPS Integration, a Value Added Reseller specializing in cloud infrastructure, networking, security and storage architecture. In April 2017 it acquired Atlanta-based cloud expertise and consulting firm, Williams & Garcia.

Raymond James & Associates acted as financial advisor and Morgan Lewis acted as legal advisor to Platinum Equity and The Gores Group on the sale of Data Blue. Dechert acted as the legal adviser to Court Square on the acquisition.

About Platinum Equity
Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with approximately $13 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 40 operating companies that serve customers around the world. The firm is currently investing from Platinum Equity Capital Partners IV, a $6.5 billion global buyout fund, and Platinum Equity Small Cap Fund, a $1.5 billion buyout fund focused on investment opportunities in the lower middle market. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 23 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 250 acquisitions.

About The Gores Group  
The Gores Group, founded in 1987 by Alec Gores, is a global investment firm focused on partnering with differentiated businesses that can benefit from its extensive industry knowledge, decades long experience and flexible capital base. Over its 30 year history, the firm has developed a deep understanding of and appreciation for building businesses and creating value alongside management. Headquartered in Los Angeles, The Gores Group maintains offices in Greenwich, CT and Boulder, CO. For more information, please visit www.gores.com.

About Court Square Capital Partners
Court Square is a middle market private equity firm with one of the most experienced investment teams in the industry. Since 1979, the team has completed 225 investments, including several landmark transactions, and has developed numerous businesses into leaders in their respective markets. Court Square invests in companies that have compelling growth potential within the business services, general industrial, healthcare, and technology and telecommunications sectors. The firm has $6.2 billion of assets under management and is based in New York, N.Y.  For more information on Court Square, please visit www.courtsquare.com.

For more information, please contact:

The Gores Group                          Platinum Equity                           Data Blue
Kavita Bagga Datta                        Dan Whelan                                   Krystal Herrera
kbagga@gores.com                       dwhelan@platinumequity.com       kherrera@data-blue.com
(310) 824-8055                              (310) 282-9202                              (815) 790-9094

Investor Relations
and Media Contacts:

Mark Barnhill
Partner
+1 310.228.9514E-mail Mark

Dan Whelan
Principal
+1 310.282.9202E-mail Dan

Categories: News

Tags:

With the support of Eurazeo PME, the Redspher group announces the acquisition of Speed Pack Europe and expands the scope of its activities in Spain

Eurazeo

The Redspher Group, European leader in on-demand transport logistics, announces the acquisition of
Speed Pack Europe, a Spanish company specializing in maximum emergency transport services.
The acquisition of Speed Pack is part of Redspher’s desire to cover all services related to on-demand
transport, from parcels to pallets, for individuals and multinationals in all sectors. It will enable Redspher
to strengthen its presence in Spain and pave the way for new opportunities in Europe for its logistics and
transport solutions.

Founded in 2005, Speed Pack Europe specializes in land transport services of the highest urgency. With
nearly 20 employees and a vast network of partner carriers, the company achieved turnover of around ten
million euros in 2018. The company is based in Barcelona, Catalonia and also has a division in Morocco
importing and exporting to and from all over Europe.

With the support of Eurazeo PME, Redspher continues its internationalization and the implementation of
its digital strategy. Since 2015, the Group has doubled its turnover to nearly €300 million in 2018. Today,
Redspher conducts more than 60% of its business outside France in Europe and the United States.
Philippe Higelin, President of Redspher: “The Redspher Group is particularly proud of this combination
with Speed Pack Europe with which we have been collaborating for some years now. Logistics and transport
are business sectors with very high growth potential in which it is important to invest for the future. We
see this acquisition as an opportunity to strengthen our leadership position. We are establishing standards
of quality and efficiency in accordance with the future expectations of the market. ”
Mario García Cánovas, founder of Speed Pack “Integrating Redspher is the best solution for Speed Pack.
We will share our know-how on very specific transport while benefiting from the group’s technology and
its leading position in Europe. ”

Erwann Le Ligné, Managing Director – Member of the Eurazeo PME Executive Board: “We are very
pleased to be supporting Redspher in this new phase of the company’s development in Spain, a country in
which Eurazeo PME recently committed itself with the acquisition of MCH Private Equity. We are delighted
with the progress made with Redspher and its teams since our arrival in 2015 and the prospects for the
coming years thanks to its international and digital positioning, which makes it a unique player in its
market. ”

About Eurazeo PME
A Subsidiary of Eurazeo, Eurazeo PME is an investment company dedicated to majority investments in French SMEs
with a value of under €250 million. As a long-term professional shareholder, it provides its investments with all the
financial, human and organizational resources necessary for long-term change, and supports those companies in its
portfolio in implementing sustainable and therefore responsible growth. This commitment is formalized and
deployed through a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) policy.
Eurazeo PME achieved a consolidated turnover of €1.3 billion in 2018 and supportsthe development ofthe following
companies: 2Ride Holding, Dessange International, Léon de Bruxelles, Péters Surgical, Redspher, the MK Direct
Group, Orolia, Smile, In’Tech Medical, Vitaprotech and EFESO Consulting. These companies are solidly established
within their market and driven by experienced management teams.

About Redspher
Redspher is a transport and logistic european group that gathers all its companies within one digital open platform
that simplifies and facilitates on demand delivery. Redspher incorporates Flash Europe International,
Schwerdtfeger, Easy4Pro, Easy2Go, Upela, Roberts.eu, Genius Academy, Easy2Trace and Yoctu. Redspher’s
ambition is to disrupt and shape the on-demand delivery market by integrating its physical and digital dimensions.
Today, Redspher employs more than 700 people in Europe and keeps recruiting to support its growth. Redspher is
a group owned by its employees and supported by the Eurazeo PME investment Fund.
***

Categories: News

Tags:

Nordic Capital acquires digital identity pioneer Signicat

Nordic Capital

APRIL 11 2019
Nordic Capital acquires digital identity pioneer Signicat Image

  • Signicat takes aim at the fast-growing global digital identity market
  • Nordic Capital will accelerate Signicat’s international expansion and strengthen its position as the leading digital identity hub
  • The acquisition reinforces Nordic Capital’s leading position in the Northern European Technology & Payments sectorNordic Capital Fund IX (“Nordic Capital”) today announced the acquisition of Signicat, a high-growth provider of digital identity and signature solutions that operates the leading digital identity hub in the market. Nordic Capital will, in close partnership with the company’s management and existing shareholder Viking Venture, accelerate Signicat’s international expansion and strengthen the company’s market leading position and unique product offering.

    Founded in Trondheim, Norway in 2007, Signicat leads innovation in verified digital identity solutions, reducing risk while providing a smart and intuitive user experience. Its solutions enable companies and institutions, both in regulated and non-regulated industries, to offer efficient and user-friendly advanced online authentication, identification verification and electronic signature solutions.

    Signicat has more than 500 clients, with a stronghold in the financial services sector where the company works with providers such as DNB, Klarna, Rabobank, Santander, Société Générale and Western Union. The company’s solutions are also increasingly adopted across new verticals, being used for instance by blue-chip companies such as BMW, Konica Minolta and Schibsted Media Group. Among Signicat’s largest customers are also several of Nordic Capital’s current and former portfolio companies including Nordax, Nordnet, Intrum and Resurs Bank. In 2018, Signicat generated revenues of approximately NOK 180 million (EUR 19 million), primarily consisting of recurring subscription or transaction based revenues. The company has circa 115 employees across offices in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal.

    Signicat was acquired from Secure Identity Holding AS and other shareholders. Viking Venture III AS, Signicat’s other major shareholder, will re-invest all proceeds and continue as a minority owner, together with employee shareholders and with Nordic Capital as the majority owner.

    “As one of the most prominent and experienced investors in the FinTech sector with a long and proven track record of growing businesses, Nordic Capital is the perfect partner to support Signicat’s accelerated international expansion strategy,” said Gunnar Nordseth, CEO and Co-Founder of Signicat. “We live in a digital society where interactions between consumers and institutions are predominantly online and mobile-first. Trust is at a premium, and digital identity is the solution. Over the last 12 years Signicat has built a digital identity platform with all the tools any institution requires to establish mutual trust with its customers. With the ongoing global digital transformation, we are ideally placed to address this burgeoning market opportunity.”

    “Born from the most advanced digital identity market in the world, Signicat is a recognised leader in one of the most exciting and fast-growing technology areas globally acting as a key enabler for the digital economy,” said Fredrik Näslund, Partner at the Advisor to the Nordic Capital Funds. “The company has shown consistent high growth since inception, driven both by a rapidly increasing number of customers and strong volume growth among existing customers. Signicat’s highly experienced management team is well positioned to capitalise on enormous growth opportunities across geographies, customer verticals and products, as the digital transformation of the economy continues. Drawing on Nordic Capital’s significant experience across enterprise software, payment technology, financial services, and from scaling businesses globally, we are enthusiastic about the opportunity to help Signicat to further strengthen its market position and customer offering.”

    “As a leading Nordic growth software investor, we at Viking Venture have backed Signicat to become the market leader within digital identity in the Nordics. Together with Nordic Capital, we will support the company to become a global leader,” said Jostein Vik, Partner, Viking Venture.

    The acquisition of Signicat is the ninth investment by Nordic Capital’s latest fund, Nordic Capital Fund IX with EUR 4.3 billion in committed capital and which closed in May 2018. The acquisition builds on Nordic Capital’s recognised expertise and outstanding track record in the technology sector. Nordic Capital has made 14 Technology & Payment platform investments, including Bambora, Point and Trustly, and more than 40 add-ons since 2001.

    The parties have agreed to not disclose any financial details.

     

    About Signicat

    Based in Trondheim, Norway, and founded in 2007, Signicat operates the largest digital identity hub in the world, offering the only complete identity platform in the market, trusted to reduce the burden of compliance in highly regulated industries. With Signicat, institutions can build and leverage existing customer credentials to connect users, devices and even ‘things’ across channels, services and markets transforming identity into an asset rather than a burden. By ditching manual, paper-based processes and replacing them with digital identity assurance, customer on-boarding is accelerated and access to services is made simple and secure. Signicat has over 500 financial services and other organisations as clients, connects to more than 20 schemes globally and verifies more than 20 million transactions per month. For further information about Signicat, please visit www.signicat.com

    About Nordic Capital

    Nordic Capital is a leading private equity investor with a resolute commitment to creating stronger, sustainable businesses through operational improvement and transformative growth. Nordic Capital focuses on selected regions and sectors where it has deep experience and a proven track record. Core sectors are Healthcare, Technology & Payments, Financial Services and in addition Industrial Goods & Services and Consumer, Key regions are the Nordics, Northern Europe and globally for Healthcare. Since inception in 1989, Nordic Capital has invested EUR 14 billion in over 100 investments. The most recent fund is Nordic Capital Fund IX with EUR 4.3 billion in committed capital, principally provided by international institutional investors such as pension funds. The Nordic Capital Funds and vehicles are based in Jersey and are advised by advisory entities, which are based in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany and the UK. For further information about Nordic Capital, please visit www.nordiccapital.com

    About Viking Venture

    Viking Venture is a leading Nordic growth software investor with more than NOK 2 billion under management. The fund is headquartered in Trondheim, Norway and is an active minority investor in fast growing software companies with international potential. For more information about Viking Venture, please visit www.vikingventure.com

Categories: News

Tags:

HQ Equita successfully concludes fundraising for HQ Equita V

HQ Capital

Bad Homburg, April 11 2019 – HQ Equita has successfully concluded fundraising for its fifth fund, HQ Equita V (“Fund V” or the “Fund”), with capital commitments totaling €308 million. With the Fund now closed, at a level comparable to its main predecessor fund, HQ Equita remains true with its strategic investment focus.

Established as a GmbH & Co. KG based in Bad Homburg, Germany, Fund V will focus on investments in small- and medium-sized enterprises (“SMEs”) in German-speaking Europe. The Fund’s limited partners include entrepreneurial families, foundations, and select institutional investors, consistent with HQ Equita’s historical investor base comprised of entrepreneurial capital. With investors from both European and non-European countries committing to the Fund, HQ Equita continues to expand its international network.

“Our strategy of developing partnerships to further advance and create value for German-speaking SMEs attracted great interest from investors. We will leverage our team’s deep experience and our broad network to support our portfolio companies’ growth and generate value for both the companies and our investors. With Fund V, we will continue to invest in SMEs, seek to expand our team and advance our strategic development even further,” said Christine Weiß, Partner and Managing Director at HQ Equita.

Since 2017, Fund V has already invested in four attractive companies. The portfolio includes WELL PLUS TRADE (2017), The Packaging Group – consisting of FAWEMA and HDG – (2018), r2p (2018), and EBERTLANG (2019). WELL PLUS TRADE is a specialist developer of protein-based sports nutrition. The Packaging Group is a leading manufacturer of packaging machines. r2p is an international provider of digital systems for public transportation. And EBERTLANG is a leading value-added distributor of infrastructure software for SMEs in German-speaking Europe.

With these four investments, HQ Equita continues to pursue its nearly three-decade long focus on investing in highly specialized small- and medium-sized “hidden champions” in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. By investing in companies with revenues ranging between €20 million and €150 million, HQ Equita is able to provide sustainable growth capital, enact succession planning solutions, and provide the network necessary to develop corporate structures and internationalize the businesses.

“HQ Equita has continued to enhance its profile over the years and remains a trusted partner for growth capital and succession planning solutions for SMEs in German-speaking Europe. With the successful closing of Fund V and the initiation of the generational management change, the foundation for long-term stability and continuity at HQ Equita is firmly in place,” said Dr. Bernd Türk, Managing Director and Chairman of the Executive Committee of HQ Capital.

After three successful investments in the last 12 months, HQ Equita will continue to strategically deploy capital in attractive portfolio companies in the German-speaking DACH region.

Categories: News

Tags:

HQ Capital Real Estate’s Investment and Sales Activity Nearly $1 Billion in 2018

HQ Capital

[New York, NY / Bad Homburg, 9 April 2019]. HQ Capital, a leading independent manager of alternative investments, announces $840 million of real estate activity in 2018. Over the past year, the firm invested in eight multifamily investments throughout the U.S. in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Texas, representing nearly 1,800 units with total project costs of $410 million.

 

“We experienced strong rental apartment demand, driven by healthy job gains last year,” said Justin Sorem, Vice President of Real Estate Asset Management at HQ Capital. “In the coming year, we expect to see this absorption continue, which will position our projects for further successful sales to apartment buyers.”

Beyond its investments, HQ Capital sold 11 residential and commercial properties valued at approximately $430 million and representing more than 2,300 apartment units and 360,000 square feet of commercial space throughout the U.S. The properties, which were sold to various institutional and private investors, were located in Growth markets primarily in the Southern and Western regions of the U.S.

“In 2018, we continued to successfully invest in and sell U.S. multifamily properties,” said Jeremy Katz, Co-Head of Real Estate at HQ Capital. “We are benefiting from a highly active sales market in which institutional investors seeking nonvolatile current returns are attracted to the core product we are delivering.”

In addition to its investment and sales activity, HQ Capital added a 68,000-square foot office building in Washington, D.C. to its third-party asset management portfolio.

The company expects to continue its current level of business activity in 2019.

Categories: News

Tags:

StageBio and Tox Path Specialists Merge

Two market leaders join forces to meet the growing demand for high-quality histopathology and neuropathology services in the preclinical therapeutics market

StageBio and Tox Path logos

JACKSON, VA and FREDERICK, MD (USA) – April 10, 2019 – StageBio has merged with Tox Path Specialists, LLC (TPS) to create the leading provider of research and preclinical histology, pathology, specialized neuropathology and archiving services for the biopharmaceutical, medical device and contract research industries. StageBio was recently created by the merger of Histo-Scientific Research Laboratories (HSRL) and Vet Path Services (VPS) and is a portfolio company of Ampersand Capital Partners.

“We are very excited to merge operations with Dr. Mark Butt and his team at Tox Path Specialists as we continue to broaden our service offerings to both new and existing clients,” said Tom Galati, StageBio CEO. “It is our intent to position StageBio as the most capable histopathology company in the industry”.

Dr. Mark Butt, Founder & CEO of Tox Path Specialists, commented, “StageBio and TPS are a natural fit. The broad spectrum of histopathology services of StageBio coupled with our specialty neuropathology capabilities are a great match and will further streamline the research process for our clients”. The merger adds laboratory space in Frederick, MD, and more importantly adds staff with vast experience in specialty neuropathology techniques to complement the StageBio team based in Virginia, Ohio and Massachusetts. The combined business has over 20 board-certified pathologists and a total employee base of over 100.

About StageBio

StageBio is the leading provider of GLP-compliant research and preclinical histology, pathology and specimen archiving services for the biopharmaceutical, medical device and contract research industries. We provide our customers with a fully-integrated breadth of histopathology services, including tissue analysis, efficacy determination for new compounds and devices, toxicological evaluation of products subject to FDA approval, detailed pathology reporting for GLP studies, medical device pathology and immunohistochemistry. We operate four state-of-the-art sites in the US, with substantial continued investment in our facility and technology infrastructures to meet the growing demand for high-quality histopathology services. With more than 20 board-certified veterinary pathologists and over 50 laboratory technicians on staff, we are ideally positioned to deliver on our unified commitment to quality, scientific integrity and customer service excellence. Additional information about StageBio is available at www.stagebio.com.

About Tox Path Specialists

Founded in 2006, TPS is one of the leading neuropathology laboratories in North America. Founded and led by Dr. Mark Butt, TPS specializes in comprehensive evaluations of the central and peripheral nervous system. TPS is a full-service GLP histopathology laboratory, offering expertise in histology, pathology immunohistochemistry, image analysis and stereology. Its staff consists of 2 board-certified (ACVP) veterinary pathologists, 6 highly-trained histology technicians as well as dedicated Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) units, all of whom are committed to quality work, excellent customer service and meeting demanding timelines. Additional information about TPS is available at www.toxpath.net.

About Ampersand Capital Partners

Founded in 1988, Ampersand is a middle market private equity firm dedicated to growth-oriented investments in the healthcare sector. With offices in Boston, MA and Amsterdam, Netherlands, Ampersand leverages a unique blend of private equity and operating experience to build value and drive superior long-term performance alongside its portfolio company management teams. Ampersand has helped build numerous market-leading companies across each of its core healthcare sectors, including Brammer Bio, Confluent Medical, Genewiz, Genoptix, Talecris Biotherapeutics and Viracor-IBT Laboratories. Additional information about Ampersand is available at ampersandcapital.com.

For further information contact:

Sam Jeffrey
Director of Corporate Development
info@stagebio.com

Categories: News

Tags:

Hengli Investments Holding Group and Gaw Capital Partners Close Acquisition of Cityplaza Three & Four in Hong Kong

Gaw Capital

April 11, 2019, Hong Kong – Hengli Investments Holding (Group) Ltd. (“Hengli Group”) and real estate private equity firm Gaw Capital Partners, through a fund under its management, today closed the acquisition of portions of Cityplaza Three (including 10 high zone office floors and commercial areas) and Cityplaza Four from Swire Properties. The partners closed the acquisition of the two office towers for HK$15 billion, amounting to an average price of around HK$19,350 per sq. ft.

Located in the growing business center of Taikoo Shing in Hong Kong’s Eastern District, the two 22-storey Grade-A office towers have a combined GFA of around 775,000 sq. ft. and enjoy views over the Victoria Harbor with direct walkways connecting the buildings to Tai Koo MTR station and Cityplaza shopping mall. With the recent opening of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass, the towers also have quick and convenient access to the Central business district.

Chang Wei Chen, Chairman of Hengli Investments Holding (Group) Ltd., said, “Record-high rents in traditional business areas have created demand for more cost-effective and spacious Grade-A office buildings in emerging commercial districts, creating huge potential for areas like Taikoo Shing. Working closely with Gaw Capital’s team, we look forward to adding strategic value to Cityplaza Three and Four through property enhancement work, leveraging the towers’ attractive location in the fast-growing Eastern District to capture this new wave of tenants. This investment is one of the long-holding properties of our Group in Hong Kong, which provides continuous stable rental returns.”

Mr. Chen, possessing over 30 years of experience in investment, industrial and commercial sectors and real estate development, is the key decision maker on strategic development for Hengli Group. Mr. Chen is currently the second-largest shareholder of Wanda Hotel. Wanda Hotel is principally engaged in property development, property letting, property management and investment holding activities.

Kenneth Gaw, President and Managing Principal of Gaw Capital Partners, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with Hengli Group to purchase portions of Cityplaza Three (including 10 high zone office floors and commercial areas) and Cityplaza Four and to reposition them into attractive office space that appeals to the new wave of businesses moving into Taikoo district. Riding on the properties’ promising location, we will deploy a creative approach to asset management that strengthens the buildings’ pull factors and makes them a key destination for firms that are looking to relocate to the Eastern District.”

Gaw Capital has over 13 years of experience investing in and/or turning around commercial properties in Greater China, including Hong Kong. The firm successfully transformed and repositioned properties such as 133 Wai Yip Street in Hong Kong, a former 12-storey industrial building turned creative office space; and Sky Bridge HQ, a mixed-use project located in the heart of Linkong Economic Park in Shanghai. In recent years, the firm also purchased 29 local Hong Kong shopping malls from Link REIT, which it intends to reposition and revitalize into attractive hubs of community life.

Categories: News

Tags:

The Carlyle Group Agrees to Sell vwd, a Provider of Innovative Software Solutions to the Investment Industry, to Infront

Carlyle

Carlyle Supported vwd‘s Development to Become a Significant European Information and Technology Solutions Provider

London/Frankfurt – Global investment firm The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) announced today that it has agreed to sell vwd Vereinigte Wirtschaftsdienste GmbH (vwd), a European provider of software solutions for investment professionals, to Infront ASA (Infront). Infront is a European market leader for real-time market data, trading, news and analytics applications based in Oslo, Norway. The transaction is subject to approval from the relevant antitrust and financial regulatory authorities.

Headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, vwd is a provider of software for the investment industry. With its intuitive solutions on a modular technology platform, vwd empowers wealth management and investment professionals to make smarter, more efficient and regulatory-compliant investment decisions.

Carlyle invested in vwd in 2012 through Carlyle Europe Technology Partners II (CETP II), a pan-European small & mid-market buyout fund dedicated to investing in technology-focused B2B companies with annual revenues of €15 to €150 million. The CETP team has extensive global experience in the management of technology companies, as well as in German-speaking countries.

Infront was founded by CEO Kristian Nesbak and CIO Morten Lindeman in 1998 and is listed on the Oslo stock exchange. It is a leading market data and trading solution provider in the Nordics with customers in more than 50 countries.

In this new strategic partnership, vwd’s comprehensive offering covering data & feed, portfolio & advisory, regulatory & calculation and publication & distribution solutions will be complemented by Infront’s best-in-class market data and trading solutions. vwd will therefore be able to continue pursuing its unified platform product strategy with Infront adding a highly sophisticated front-office trading product suite. Both vwd and Infront customers will benefit from the two companies combining their sector-defining capabilities across regulation, private wealth management and market data.       

Kristian Nesbak, Infront CEO, commented: “The merger of vwd and Infront will allow us to create one of the largest and most relevant players in Europe. Our highly complementary product solutions and core markets will enable us to pursue an ambitious common growth plan.”   

Shiva Ramabadran, vwd CEO said: “Joining forces with Infront will allow us to be an even stronger partner for our customers who will greatly benefit from a more diversified solutions offering. Due to vwd’s significant contributions to the new combined entity, we will be able to continue fulfilling all customer requests and be on the ground in our core markets.”   

Thorsten Dippel, Managing Director of the Carlyle Europe Technology Partners (CETP) team said: “Infront is an ideal partner for vwd. We are delighted to see that Infront will support and accelerate vwd’s successful strategic development. We would like to thank vwd’s management team for their trust and cooperation during our successful partnership and wish vwd and Infront continued future success.” 

vwd’s management team will be fully integrated into the new joint executive team and will remain as ongoing contacts for all vwd customers and business partners.

* * * * *

Media contacts:

Catherine Armstrong
T +44 20 7894 1632, catherine.armstrong@carlyle.com

Katharina Gebsattel
T +49 172 718 68 57, katharina.gebsattel@vub.de

About The Carlyle Group

The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across four business segments: Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Credit and Investment Solutions. With $216 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2018, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of our investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. The Carlyle Group employs more than 1,650 people in 31 offices across six continents.

Web: www.carlyle.com
Videos: www.youtube.com/onecarlyle
Tweets: www.twitter.com/onecarlyle
Podcasts: www.carlyle.com/about-carlyle/market-commentary

About Infront

Infront provides a unique combination of global market data, news, analytics and trading tools. With over 20 years of product development driven by our clients’ business needs, the Infront Professional Terminal is the most user-friendly and flexible terminal in the financial market. We help buy-side and sell-side institutions grow their businesses, reduce costs, adapt to fast changing market requirements and work more effectively with ever-increasing amounts of information. Over 40,000 professional subscribers worldwide rely on Infront’s services. Infront is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and has offices in eight countries across Europe and South Africa.

About vwd

vwd is a leading software provider for the investment industry, With its intuitive solutions on a modular technology platform, vwd empowers wealth management and investment professionals to make smarter, more efficient and regulatory compliant investment decisions. Headquartered in Frankfurt, vwd has offices in 6 countries where it serves more than 2,400 businesses with data, services and software solutions.

Categories: News

Tags: