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Eurazeo signs an exclusivity agreement with a view to investing in Aroma-Zone

Eurazeo

Eurazeo has signed an exclusivity agreement with a view to investing in Aroma-Zone, a pioneering French company making and distributing aromatherapy, natural DIY (Do-it-yourself) beauty and wellness products through a direct-to-customer online model.
Under the agreement, Eurazeo and its partners would invest around €410 million, becoming Aroma-Zone’s main shareholder alongside the founding Vausselin family, who would retain a significant stake in the company. The final terms of the deal would be announced on completion.

Aroma-Zone was set up in 1999 as a website providing information about essential oils, and has now turned into a leading online retailer that stands out by:
• making and distributing a wide range of natural DIY products and ingredients, with full transparency regarding the origin of their raw materials and their composition, and providing a large amount of information and educational content;
• offering the best quality at a fair price, based on end-to-end management of the supply chain: upstream through a network of almost 300 partners producing the raw materials, and downstream through direct sales to customers online;
• developing a loyal community of customers who recommend its products and play an active role in building the brand;
• adopting responsible and ethical business practices and a commitment to minimizing its environmental impact.

Aroma-Zone is based in Cabrières d’Avignon in Provence, employs more than 350 people and sells its products mainly online but also through a network of seven stores across France. The company is continuously innovating, inspired by constant interaction with its loyal community of customers. It has developed a unique offering of more than 1,900 products and 3,000 recipes, and currently addresses more than 2 million users per year.
Eurazeo would support Aroma-Zone with its growth strategy, providing access to its international network and expertise in the consumer goods and digital sectors. Eurazeo would help Aroma-Zone improve its online platform in France and develop it internationally, while continuing to open new stores.

About Eurazeo
• Eurazeo is a leading global investment group, with a diversified portfolio of €21.8 billion in assets under management, including €15 billion from third parties, invested in over 430 companies. With its considerable private equity, real estate and private debt expertise, Eurazeo accompanies companies of all sizes, supporting their development through the commitment of its nearly 300 professionals and offering in-depth sector expertise, a gateway to global markets, and a responsible and stable foothold for transformational growth. Its solid institutional and family shareholder base, robust financial structure free of structural debt, and flexible investment horizon enable Eurazeo to support its companies over the long term.
• Eurazeo has offices in Paris, New York, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, London, Luxembourg, Frankfurt, Berlin and Madrid.
• Eurazeo is listed on Euronext Paris.
• ISIN: FR0000121121 – Bloomberg: RF FP – Reuters: EURA.PA

EURAZEO CONTACTS

PIERRE BERNARDIN
HEAD OF INVESTOR RELATIONS
email: pbernardin@eurazeo.com
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 15 16 76

VIRGINIE CHRISTNACHT
HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
mail: vchristnacht@eurazeo.com
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 15 76 44

PRESS CONTACT
MAITLAND/amo
DAVID STURKEN
mail: dsturken@maitland.co.uk
Tel: +44 ( 7990 595 913

 

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Fletcher Hotels embarks on next growth phase with new owner Egeria

Egeria

Nieuwegein, April 22, 2021 – The shareholders of Fletcher Hotels have agreed to sell a majority stake to the Amsterdam-based investment company Egeria. NIBC and Xead are selling their shares and the Fletcher management will remain as shareholders. Egeria’s hands-on involvement and experience of international expansion will enable Fletcher Hotels to enter a new growth phase, building on a healthy and stable foundation.

Rob Hermans, CEO of Fletcher Hotels, said: “We’re grateful to NIBC and Xead for their financial support over the past years, which helped Fletcher to grow into the largest hotel chain in the Netherlands. Fletcher is a healthy business with enormous growth ambitions. Last year was a particularly difficult year for Fletcher Hotels, but with the end of the coronavirus restrictions in sight we’re seeing occupancy rise again and we’re confident that we have a very good summer ahead of us. With Egeria we’ll have an entrepeneurial shareholder on our side who will help us to continue fulfilling our growth ambitions. Even last year Fletcher achieved growth, adding a further four hotels. Together with Egeria I’m looking forward to making our business even larger, healthier and more successful.”

Mark Wetzels, Partner of Egeria, said: “We’re particularly impressed by the business built by the Fletcher team and we have the utmost confidence in the future. We’re therefore delighted to be able to contribute to the next phase of Fletcher Hotels as a new shareholder. The hotel chain is a well-managed business that has achieved controlled growth in recent years, with an estate now comprising more than a hundred hotels. We’re impressed by the entrepreneurial sprit in the hotels and among the staff, who have always been on hand to assist guests despite these immensely tough times. With our knowledge, expertise and network we aim to contribute to the hotel chain’s further professionalisation and growth ambitions jointly with the Fletcher team.”

Brigitte van der Maarel, NIBC Investment Partners, said: “We’re proud to have supported Fletcher’s growth as a minority shareholder. We’re delighted that the company will remain in Dutch hands and can continue to fulfil its growth ambitions.”

Fletcher Hotels aims to grow to more than 150 hotels in the Netherlands in the years ahead and also has international expansion ambitions. Since its inception the chain has operated a large number of hotels on the Dutch coast and in countryside areas, welcoming tourists from the Netherlands and abroad. With their restaurants the Fletcher hotels also fulfil a regional function in many cases. The transaction is subject to approval by ACM. The works council has already issued a positive advice.

About Fletcher Hotels
A long-standing Dutch company, Fletcher Hotels is the largest hotel chain in the Netherlands, with 103 hotels. The properties are all unique and situated in the most attractive locations in the Netherlands. Fletcher’s hotels are located particularly in forests, on the coast and near nature reserves or amusement parks. As well as accommodation, the hotels provide various facilities such as fully-equipped wellness resorts, football pitches, bowling alleys and tennis courts and a range of modern restaurant concepts including De Kromme Dissel, which was awarded a Michelin star in 2021 for the 50th year in succession.

About Egeria
Established in 1997, Egeria is an independent Dutch investment company focused on medium-sized enterprises. Egeria invests in healthy businesses with an enterprise value of between EUR 50 million and EUR 350 million. Egeria believes in building businesses jointly with enterprising management teams (Boldly Building Together). Egeria Private Equity Funds has interests in 11 companies in the Netherlands and Germany, while Egeria Evergreen has investments in 6 companies. Egeria’s portfolio companies generate combined revenues of more than EUR 2 billion and employ almost 10,000 people. Other activities include Egeria Real Estate Investments, Egeria Real Estate Development and Egeria Listed Investments. In 2018 Egeria launched Egeria Do, a corporate giving programme that supports projects in the world of art, culture and society, but also within its investee companies.

About Xead Group
Xead Group is a Luxembourg-based investor specialising in hotels and travel technology. Xead Group provides medium-term growth capital through shareholdings and co-investments.

About NIBC Investment Partners
NIBC Investment Partners is part of NIBC Bank and demonstrates the enterprising character of NIBC Bank by acquiring minority shareholdings in medium-sized companies, real-estate developments and infrastructure projects. NIBC Investment Partners works closely with the management and shareholders on the basis of a long-term partnership to help fulfil their growth ambitions. As a genuine partner the team can play an active role in creating value and tackling strategic and financial challenges. The 14-strong team of professionals operates from The Hague and has direct minority interests in 19 Dutch companies.

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Kinnevik invests SEK150 million in MatHem’s SEK1.1 billion funding round

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Kinnevik

Kinnevik AB (publ) (“Kinnevik”) today announced its pro-rata participation of SEK 150m in Mathem’s SEK 400m primary equity raise. Existing investors AMF and Stena invested SEK 100m and SEK 50m respectively, increasing their ownership in the business. The funding round also includes a debt facility of SEK 700m provided by P Capital Partners AB.

The newly raised capital will be used to fund MatHem’s continued expansion, including the launch of the new fulfilment center in Larsboda next year, and growing the product offering through, among other initiatives, the launch of pharmacy products in cooperation with Kronans Apotek. In 2020, MatHem recorded sales growth of 50 percent year-on-year, with sales amounting to SEK 2.3bn for the full year, consistently growing its share of the online grocery home delivery market.

Georgi Ganev, CEO of Kinnevik commented: ”Kinnevik is proud to support the continued growth of MatHem as it expands its product range and gains market share. I am impressed by how Johan and his team has met the increased interest in having groceries delivered to your doorstep, and I am convinced that MatHem will continue to develop its customer offering and efficiency.”

Johan Lagercrantz, CEO of MatHem commented: “I am incredibly grateful for the trust in MatHem from our investors in this funding round. MatHem has a clear focus on growth and increased efficiency in our continued journey towards profitability. We work hard to constantly develop to meet our customers’ needs and for our e-commerce of groceries with home delivery to contribute to a more convenient and simpler everyday life. With this investment we will be able to achieve fantastic results going forward.”

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

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

Kinnevik’s ambition is to be Europe’s leading listed growth investor, and we back the best digital companies to make people’ lives better and deliver significant returns. We understand complex and fast-changing consumer behaviours, and have a strong and expanding portfolio in healthtech, consumer services, foodtech and fintech. As a long-term investor, we strongly believe that investing in sustainable business models and diverse teams will bring the greatest returns for shareholders. We back our companies at every stage of their journey and invest in Europe, with a focus on the Nordics, and in the US. Kinnevik was founded in 1936 by the Stenbeck, Klingspor and von Horn families. Kinnevik’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm’s list for large cap companies under the ticker codes KINV A and KINV B.

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Ornikar Raises €100m ($120m) in Series C Funding Led by KKR

KKR

April 22, 2021

Investment accelerates Ornikar’s mission to become a global leader in road safety

  • Ornikar focuses on driving tech-enabled innovations that re-imagine how drivers are trained and insured
  • KKR makes significant investment in Ornikar’s funding round which includes participation by existing investors Idinvest, BPI via its fund Large Venture, Elaia, Brighteye, and H14
  • €100 million ($120 million) Series C round brings Ornikar’s total financing raised to €146 million ($175 million)
  • Following its successful expansion into Spain and the launch of its auto insurance offering Ornikar Assurance, Ornikar will use the capital to accelerate its international development under the Onroad brand, develop new learning resources and expand its range of driver services

 

PARIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ornikar, a specialist in driver training and road awareness since 2013, today announced a €100 million ($120 million) round of Series C funding led by global investment firm KKR, which is making the investment primarily through its Next Generation Technology Growth Fund. Existing investors Idinvest, BPI, Elaia, Brighteye and H14 also contributed to Ornikar’s latest fundraise which will enable the company to accelerate its mission of becoming a global leader in road safety.

In less than a decade, Ornikar has revolutionised the traditional driving school model to become the go-to online driver education platform and training marketplace in France, with a fast-growing presence in Spain. Ornikar’s platform – which offers comprehensive online driver education courses and matches students with independent driving instructors – has helped over 1.5 million people learn the rules of the road.

In 2020, the company expanded into France’s €17 billion ($20 billion) car insurance market with the launch of Ornikar Assurance, a product designed for the digital world with a highly intuitive user experience and services tailored to each individual driver’s needs.

Benjamin Gaignault, co-founder and CEO of Ornikar, said: “We are very proud to have KKR join our established investors to support our goal of becoming a global leader in road safety. We have proven the effectiveness, sustainability and flexibility of the model we created, including showing that Ornikar can be replicated outside France. Our ambitions are far-reaching and we aim to drive innovations that re-imagine how drivers are trained and insured. KKR is a first-rate investor and will be a huge asset in accelerating our international rollout for training, car insurance, and other driver services.”

The financing round comes after a successful year for Ornikar, which became a French Tech 120 member in 2020. The company, led by Benjamin Gaignault and Flavien Le Rendu, added 420,000 new users last year, growing as much as 30% a month during the global pandemic which helped to accelerate the adoption of online services.

Patrick Devine, Director at KKR and member of the Next Generation Technology Growth investment team, said: “Ornikar has done a tremendous job creating a great experience for students and driving instructors through engaging online education courses and a well-designed marketplace. We are thrilled to invest behind Benjamin, Flavien, and their talented team as they expand internationally and accelerate their insurance offering following the successful launches of Onroad in Spain and Ornikar Assurance.”

KKR’s Next Generation Technology Growth strategy is dedicated to growth equity investment opportunities in the technology sector. Ornikar is KKR’s third growth investment in France’s technology startup ecosystem, following its investments in Ivalua and Fotolia. This marks KKR’s sixth investment in France over the last twelve months.

Benoist Grossmann from Idinvest Partners and Yassine Soual from Bpifrance Large Venture added: “We have always been convinced of the relevance of the Ornikar model to meet the challenges of road safety education. We are pleased to continue our support in this new phase, which not only validates the team’s goals over the past few years, but also provides the company with the means to become an international reference player in road safety by way of education and insurance.”

Lauriane Requena, who leads KKR’s Next Generation Technology Growth investing strategy in France, concluded: “We are pleased to make our latest investment in the French tech ecosystem which benefits from a unique mix of skilled engineers, a strong network of successful entrepreneurs, and a supportive public policy.”

Today, Ornikar’s platform prepares over 35% of drivers for the French Code de la Route driving tests. Ornikar plans to continue its development both in France and other countries under the Onroad brand, develop new learning resources and tools for driving instructors, and expand its range of driver services.

About Ornikar

A specialist in driver training and road awareness since 2013, Ornikar’s ambition is to become a global leader in road safety thanks to its global approach combining educational training and car insurance. In less than a decade, the company run by Benjamin Gaignault and Flavien Le Rendu has revolutionised the traditional driving school model to become the go-to online driver education platform and training marketplace in France, with more than 1.5 million clients. With a fast-growing presence in the Spanish market, Ornikar plans to continue its international development under the Onroad brand. Ornikar has been a French Tech 120 member since 2020.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management and 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 The 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 and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

Contacts

Press contact for Ornikar: Image 7
Roxane Planas rplanas@image7.Fr ; Florence Coupry fcoupry@image7.Fr

Press contact for KKR: Milltown Partners

Simon Thiel sthiel@milltownpartners.com +44 79 72 630 913

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SI Foods agrees partnership with CVC Capital Partners

CVC Capital Partners

The current SI Foods owners will remain active shareholders and will continue to manage Dodoni, its subsidiaries and its operations

SI Foods Ltd, the majority shareholder of Dodoni SA (“Dodoni”) and CVC Capital Partners VII (“CVC Fund VII”) have agreed to the joint ownership of SI Foods Holding Ltd (“SIF”) whereby CVC Fund VII will hold a majority interest.

The current SI Foods owners will remain active shareholders and will continue to manage Dodoni, its subsidiaries and its operations. The partnership will leverage SIF, and Dodoni, as a platform to grow the presence in particular in the specialty cheese and related sectors through investments and possibly acquisitions in Greece and abroad.

In 2012, Dodoni, the leading Greek dairy and best-selling Greek Feta PDO brand, was privatised by the Greek State and sold to SI Foods Ltd, a group of private investors, including the partners of Lime Capital Partners Ltd. Since its privatisation, the subsequent owners have significantly restructured Dodoni investing in its production facilities, organisation and sales and marketing. As a result, Dodoni’s revenues have almost doubled with about 50% being generated through exports. Since 2012, Dodoni has provided strong support for the primary economy, increasing the number of permanent employees from 270 to over 600 in Greece and having paid more than €0.5 billion to its farmers.

CVC Capital Partners (“CVC”) is a leading private equity and investment advisory firm with a network of 23 offices throughout Europe, Asia and the US. Funds managed or advised by CVC (“CVC Funds”) are invested in over 90 companies worldwide, employing more than 450,000 people.

CVC Funds are also one of the most active investors in Greece with a dedicated team in Athens which has invested or committed more than €1 billion of equity since 2017, including in Hellenic Healthcare Group, e-Travel, Skroutz, D-Marin and Vivartia, as well as recently agreeing the acquisition of Ethniki Insurance.

Tom Seepers, CEO of Dodoni stated: “We are proud to enter into this exciting partnership with CVC enabling us to take the next step in our long-term strategy to transform Dodoni. The current shareholders and management of Dodoni remain committed to their long-term strategy of growing the company and providing stability and security to its suppliers and employees. With CVC we have secured a strong partner with a focus on sustainable value creation, who shares our focus on ESG  and can enable us to accelerate the future development of Dodoni.”

SI Foods is being advised by KBVL, Ionian Capital and Eveda Capital.

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MetroNet Announces New Investments from Oak Hill Capital and KKR

KKR

New Funding will Accelerate Deployment of Fiber-Based High Speed Broadband Networks to Communities Across the U.S.

EVANSVILLE, Ind., April 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — MetroNet today announced that funds managed by leading global investment firm KKR will be joining long-time partner, Oak Hill Capital, and management as investors in MetroNet. As part of the transaction, Oak Hill and KKR will each make new investments to help accelerate MetroNet’s growth in building and connecting fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) data, television, and telephone services to homes and businesses. This year, MetroNet launched services in its 9th state as it continues to expand its fiber footprint to local communities across the country.

“We value our long-standing partnership with Oak Hill and are proud to welcome our new investors at KKR,” said John Cinelli, MetroNet CEO. “The additional investments from Oak Hill and KKR will drive growth that further bridges the digital divide by providing hundreds of thousands of additional households access to world class and future proof 100% fiber optic services for living, learning, and connecting to each other. We look forward to maintaining our commitment to excellence in serving our customers and communities.”

MetroNet is one of the fastest-growing providers of fiber optic high-speed broadband services in the nation. The company is known for its superior customer service provided through a strong local presence. MetroNet delivers affordable symmetrical speeds of up to 10 Gbps to homes and businesses in underserved, small town America, and is credited with creating the largest Gigabit city in the U.S. by fully wiring Lexington, Kentucky. MetroNet’s state-of-the-art fiber optic network is built to the highest technical standards, with its existing infrastructure having supported reliable service over the past year when COVID-induced disruptions substantially increased the need for greater bandwidth for tele-work, school, health, and more. The company expects its network to be available to over 1 million residential households and business locations in the near future, bringing competition for these services to hundreds of communities.

Oak Hill is an experienced investor in the FTTP space and has been a partner with the MetroNet team since 2014.  Other Oak Hill broadband investments to enable increased fiber access in the U.S. include Vexus Fiber, a rapidly expanding provider in Texas and surrounding states; Future Fiber Holdings in the Northeast; and Race Communications in California and surrounding states.

“We believe that reliable, high-speed access to the Internet represents a fundamental underpinning of economic growth and equal opportunity for all Americans, from small towns to big cities,” said Benjy Diesbach and Scott Baker, partners at Oak Hill.  “We are excited to build upon our seven year partnership with MetroNet’s outstanding management team, led by John Cinelli, as the company expands its fiber network to many more underserved American communities.”

KKR will be making the investment in MetroNet through its global infrastructure strategy. The firm first established its global infrastructure strategy in 2008 and has since been one of the most active infrastructure investors around the world, currently managing over $27 billion in infrastructure assets. KKR has significant experience investing in the growth of leading FTTP providers globally, including FiberCop in Italy, Hyperoptic in the U.K. and Deutsche Glasfaser in Germany. Most recently, KKR announced the creation of independent open access wholesale fiber optic network companies in both Chile and in the Netherlands.

“MetroNet has set itself apart as the leading independent FTTP provider in the U.S., well-known for its high quality technology, exceptional customer service and local operations,” said Waldemar Szlezak, a senior leader on KKR’s infrastructure investment team. “We are thrilled to be supporting MetroNet, alongside Oak Hill, on its mission to deliver much-needed broadband access across the U.S., a market that is well behind its peers in FTTP connectivity.”

The transaction is expected to close in the 3rd quarter, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Specific terms of the investment were not released.

Bank Street Group LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC served as co-lead financial advisors to MetroNet in connection with this transaction. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and Polsinelli served as legal counsel to MetroNet. TD Securities served as advisor to Oak Hill. Simpson Thacher served as legal counsel to KKR.

About MetroNet:
MetroNet is a 100 percent Fiber Optic Company headquartered in Evansville, Indiana. The customer-focused company provides cutting-edge fiber optic communication services, including high-speed Fiber Internet, full-featured Fiber Phone, and Fiber IPTV with a wide variety of programing. MetroNet started in 2005 with one fiber optic network in Greencastle, Indiana, and has since grown to serving and constructing networks in more than 100 communities across Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Florida, and North Carolina. MetroNet is committed to bringing state-of- the-art telecommunication services to communities — services that are comparable or superior to those offered in large metropolitan areas. MetroNet has been named in the top 50 small and medium companies on Glassdoor and has been honored with a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award recognizing MetroNet among the Best Places to Work in 2020. For more information visit www.MetroNetinc.com.

About Oak Hill Capital
Oak Hill Capital is a private equity firm managing funds with over $16 billion of initial capital commitments and co-investments since inception. Over the past 35 years, Oak Hill Capital and its predecessors have invested in approximately 100 private equity transactions across broad segments of the U.S. and global economies. Oak Hill Capital applies an industry-focused, theme-based approach to investing in the following sectors: Services, Industrials, Media & Communications, and Consumer. Oak Hill works actively in partnership with management to implement strategic and operational initiatives to create franchise value. For more information, please visit: www.oakhill.com.

About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management and 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 The 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 and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

Media contact for MetroNet:
Keith Leonhardt
812-213-1016
www.MetronetInc.com

Media Contact for Oak Hill:
Dawn Dover
Kekst CNC
917-349-5621
dawn.dover@kekstcnc.com

Media Contact for KKR:
Cara Major or Miles Radcliffe-Trenner
media@kkr.com

SOURCE MetroNet

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Archive-IT partners with investor FIELDS group for future growth

Fields Group

Reuver, April 2021 – The Dutch investor FIELDS Group, together with Paul de Meulemeester, acquired the established archiving specialist Archive-IT from successful entrepreneur Joan Westendorff. Sitting COO Paul de Meulemeester will remain with the company as CEO and will further support Archive-IT with its international expansion plans.

Archive-IT is one the Netherlands’ largest independent archiving specialists. The company offers a broad portfolio of services and software for the digitization and archiving of physical and digital data. Archive-IT is active in the Dutch, Belgian, French and German markets and offers archiving services and solutions to hospitals, governments, law firms and multinationals.

In the next few years, Archive-IT expects to grow primarily in its international markets: “We see a strong market transition in France and Germany towards digitization and outsourcing of archives. Through our quickly expanding French operation and a brand-new archiving location in Germany we are perfectly positioned to capitalize on these trends” says Paul de Meulemeester. There are also many opportunities in the Dutch and Belgian market: “In the Netherlands we expect our new software developments in the domain of digital archiving and innovative services in the field of enrichment of unstructured data (“data vitalization”) to create further value for our clients. In parallel we notice an increasing appetite in Belgium for digital archiving solutions”

Joan Westendorff, who founded the company in 2004 using his experience from Jalema, a well-known producer of archiving folders and other archiving and office supplies, proudly steps back from Archive-IT: “I have greatly enjoyed experiencing how Archive-IT has developed into an independent and distinctive player in the archiving market, with an international footprint. Now the time has come to pass the torch. I will close the chapter Archive-IT (known formerly as I-FourC) and start a new chapter. My next chapter will focus on real estate, philanthropy and helping entrepreneurs found new companies. I will remain connected to Archive-IT through the development and financing of the new archiving location near the German border in Bruggen-Bracht.”

Besides organic growth, potential acquisitions are also being considered to accelerate the company’s growth. Rutger Alberink of FIELDS Group: “Especially in Germany and France, we see a fragmented market of archiving specialists. In the case of an acquisition, we expect Archive-IT’s unique software and data services to directly create added value for the clients in the acquired company’s client portfolio.”

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Eurazeo launches the EURAZEO sustainable Maritime Infrastructure Thematic Fund

Eurazeo

Eurazeo is delighted to announce the launch of the Sustainable Maritime Infrastructure thematic fund (the Fund) to finance more environmentally friendly infrastructure and technologies in the maritime sector that support the transition to a low carbon economy. As a consequence, the fund will have the objective of pursuing sustainable development within the meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 (known as the “Disclosure Regulation”) and will participate directly in the deployment of O+, the Group’s ambitious ESG strategy – one of the pillars of which is the achievement of net carbon neutrality by 2040.

Currently, 90% of the world’s goods are transported by sea. Therefore, the decarbonisation of the maritime sector is crucial to the fight against climate change. To meet this challenge, the Fund will mainly finance three types of infrastructure: ships equipped with advanced technologies that negate or curtail environmental harm, innovative harbor equipment, and assets that contribute to the development of offshore renewable energy.
The Fund will support around fifty European facilities that will back the transition of the maritime economy to become carbon neutral by 2050 and in line with the ambition announced in the European Green Deal. Several renowned sovereign and institutional investors have already confirmed their involvement in the Fund, which has a target size of €300M.

The Fund, which will be managed by Idinvest Partners, offers investors with a limited risk appetite a highly desirable solution thanks to its asset financing operations, which will generate quarterly distributions from rents received on maritime assets. The Fund will directly own these maritime assets to further limit risk. As such, the Fund will benefit from Solvency Capital Requirement of less than 10%.
Since January 1 2020, shipping companies must significantly reduce their emissions under the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) new regulation on the reduction of the sulphur content of fuels (to 0.5% from 3.5%). This regulation is part of the IMO’s worldwide strategy and aims to reduce the shipping industry’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 50% by 2050, relative to 2008 levels. The Fund will contribute to the reduction of GHGs as well as sulphur oxides (Sox) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, which are particularly harmful to air quality.

Christophe Bavière, member of Eurazeo’s Executive Board
Eurazeo is particularly proud to present to its investors a solution that meets Article 9 criteria. Many investors are in search for an investment program that has a concrete impact in the decarbonisation and the ecological transition. Eurazeo Sustainable Maritime Infrastructure thematic fund distinguishes itself by a reinforced protection of the capital.
Our new fund is a financing tool that will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas and sulphur, reduction measured audited by independent experts, then communicated to our investors. Its implementation, the process of which has been evaluated with full transparency by independent organisations, underlines our aims and ambitions to deploy meaningful funds that provide a response to the environmental and climatic challenges of our time.

Eurazeo is a leading global investment group, with a diversified portfolio of €21.8 billion in Assets Under Management, including €15.0 billion from third parties, invested in over 450 companies. With its considerable private equity, real estate

EURAZEO CONTACTS PRESS CONTACT
PIERRE BERNARDIN
HEAD OF INVESTOR RELATIONS
mail : pbernardin@eurazeo.com
Tél : +33 (0)1 44 15 16 76

VIRGINIE CHRISTNACHT
HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
mail: vchristnacht@eurazeo.com
Tel: +33 1 44 15 76 44

MAITLAND/amo
DAVID STURKEN
mail:dsturken@maitland.co.uk
Tel: +44 ( 7990 595 913

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Audax Private Equity Completes the Sale of Corsearch to Astorg

Audax Group

Audax Private Equity (“Audax”) today announced that it has successfully completed the sale of Corsearch to Astorg.

Corsearch provides innovative Brand Risk and Performance™ solutions to law firms and enterprise customers. Corsearch’s suite of software and services supports a brand owners’ creation and protection of intellectual property assets using innovative IP clearance tools and online brand protection including counterfeit and piracy solutions. Corsearch has more than 800 employees across Europe, North America and Asia and serves over 5,000 clients around the world including many of the world’s Fortune 100 companies.

Since being acquired by Audax in 2018, Corsearch has undergone a period of transformation, growth, and success:

Completed the carve-out from Wolters Kluwer, invested in new technology infrastructure and streamlined global operations
Completed eight add-on acquisitions globally which expanded the company’s product offerings, added new customers, and vertically integrated key functions
Invested in technology and research & development capabilities to support new product innovation
Tim Mack, Managing Director at Audax, said, “We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with the Corsearch team, their strategic transformation, and consistent customer focus. Over the course of our investment, Corsearch further expanded in online brand protection with cutting-edge solutions that are transforming how companies commercialize and protect their growth. We’re excited to retain a minority investment in Corsearch, and wish the team continued success with Astorg’s support.”

Tobias Hartmann, Chief Executive Officer of Corsearch, commented, “Audax has been an instrumental partner over the last three years, especially following Corsearch’s spin off from Wolters Kluwer into an independent, standalone company. The Audax team leveraged their deep investment expertise, global resources, and operational experience to accelerate our growth plans while enhancing our ability to meet the evolving needs of our global customer base. We thank them for their partnership and look forward to embarking on our next phase of growth with Astorg.”

Harris Williams & Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC served as financial advisors and Kirkland & Ellis served as legal advisor to Corsearch.

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Third largest European plant based producer Vivera acquired by JBS S.A.

Gilde Buy Out
April 19, 2021 Purchase of Vivera, Europe’s third-largest plant-based protein producer thrusts JBS into the plant protein market; the €341 million deal includes 3 manufacturing units and a research and development center in The Netherlands.
São Paulo – JBS, the world’s largest protein company and second-largest food producer, has entered into an agreement to purchase Vivera, Europe’s third-largest plant-based food produced, for an enterprise value of €341 million. Vivera develops and produces a broad range of innovative plant-based meat replacement products for major retailers in over 25 countries across Europe, with relevant marketshare in The Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Germany. The deal includes three manufacturing units and a research and development center located in The Netherlands.
The acquisition of Vivera strengthens and boosts JBS’ global plant-based products platform. Strong growth is expected in this category throughout global markets. The deal will add a brand to JBS’ portfolio that is well-established in consumer preference, strengthening the Company’s focus on value-added products.
Vivera, currently the largest independent plant-based company in Europe, will join other JBS initiatives such as Seara’s, Incrível range, a market leader in plant-based hamburgers, and Planterra, with the OZO brand in the United States.
“This acquisition is an important step to strengthen our global plant-based protein platform”, said Gilberto Tomazoni, Global CEO of JBS. “Vivera will give JBS a stronghold in the plant-based sector, with technological knowledge and capacity for innovation”.
To nurture its entrepreneurial spirit JBS plans to manage Vivera as a standalone business unit with its current leadership team to remain in place. “Joining forces with JBS gives us access to significant resources and capabilities to accelerate our current strong growth trajectory and Vivera brand expansion”, said Willem van Weede, CEO, Vivera.
The deal was approved by the JBS board of directors and will be concluded after approval by the antitrust authorities. full details Read more at: https://gilde.com/news/2021/third-largest-european-plant-based-producer-vivera-acquired-by-jbs

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