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Latour acquires S+S Regeltechnik

Latour logo

Investment AB Latour (publ) has, through its subsidiary Bemsiq AB, signed an agreement to acquire S+S Regeltechnik GmbH, a company based in Nürnberg in Northern Bavaria, Germany. S+S Regeltechnik is a pan-European leader in advanced sensor technology for measurement and control in facility automation and mechanical engineering. The acquisition further strengthens Bemsiq’s product offering towards the building automation segment and expands the group’s geographical reach with a strong base in Germany.

S+S Regeltechnik’s product range includes a holistic offering of field devices and room controllers for building automation and products sold are based on own design and proprietary technology. The company has 65 employees and annual revenue of EUR 16.3 million in 2018 with a profit level well over Latour’s financial target. The seller is Mr. Tino Schulze through his family’s holding company. Mr. Schulze is also the CEO of the company.

“I am very happy to welcome S+S Regeltechnik to the Bemsiq group of companies”, says Mikael J Albrektsson, CEO for Bemsiq. “We have known the company for many years and their wide range and high product quality is very appreciated by system integrators and partners in Germany and internationally. The acquisition is an important step in our ambition to grow on the international market for building automation and creates a strong presence in Germany for Bemsiq.”

“I see Bemsiq and Latour as very good long-term owners of S+S Regeltechnik”, says Mr. Tino Schulze, CEO and former owner of S+S Regeltechnik. “I look forward to continue to develop and grow S+S Regeltechnik alongside the other companies in the Bemsiq group. Being a member of the Bemsiq group opens new growth and development possibilities for S+S Regeltechnik.”

The transaction will be completed during January 2020, subject to certain conditions that must be fulfilled before that. As an effect of the acquisition the net debt of Investment AB Latour is expected to increase compared to the net debt level at the end of June 2019 as communicated in the Interim report January – June 2019, to around SEK 5.1 billion, all else equal.

Göteborg, 22 October, 2019

INVESTMENT AB LATOUR (PUBL)
Johan Hjertonsson
President and CEO

For further information, please contact:
Johan Hjertonsson, President and CEO Investment AB Latour +46 702 29 77 93
Björn Lenander, CEO Latour Industries AB, +46 708 19 47 36
Mikael J Albrektsson, CEO Bemsiq AB, +46 733 23 36 06

Investment AB Latour is a mixed investment company consisting primarily of a wholly-owned industrial operations and an investment portfolio of listing holdings in which Latour is the principal owner or one of the principal owners. The investment portfolio consists of nine substantial holdings with a market value of about SEK 60 billion. The wholly-owned industrial operations have an annual turnover of about SEK 12 billion.

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Ardian Real Estate acquires an office building rue des Pyramides in Paris from Zaka Investments

Ardian

Paris, October 21, 2019 – Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, announces today the acquisition of an office complex located at 14 rue des Pyramides, in Paris’ first arrondissement. This transaction is in line with Ardian Real Estate’s strategy to invest in commercial real estate assets with strong value creation potential.

The 3,800 m² Haussmann-style building consists of two interconnected five- and six-storey buildings, organized around a central courtyard. Very well located in the central business district, near the Opera House, the Tuileries Gardens and at the foot of Pyramides station (metro lines 14 and 7), this asset will be refurbished in order optimize the office spaces to prime market standards and offer new services to its future users.

Stéphanie Bensimon, Head of Ardian Real Estate, said: “We are delighted to have been able to acquire this building located in a very dynamic central district of Paris. This business district is one of the most sought-after European markets but with a lack of high quality offers. We look forward to implementing our strategy to redevelop the building, which will count 400 workstations in a modern and pleasant environment.”

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Buyer: Ardian
Buyer’s advisors: Victoires Notaires Associés, Linklaters
Architect: Architecture Studio
Seller’s advisors: L’Etude du 25
Broker: BNP

ABOUT ARDIAN

Ardian is a world-leading private investment house with assets of US$96bn managed or advised in Europe, the Americas and Asia. The company is majority-owned by its employees. It keeps entrepreneurship at its heart and focuses on delivering excellent investment performance to its global investor base.
Through its commitment to shared outcomes for all stakeholders, Ardian’s activities fuel individual, corporate and economic growth around the world.
Holding close its core values of excellence, loyalty and entrepreneurship, Ardian maintains a truly global network, with more than 640 employees working from fifteen offices across Europe (Frankfurt, Jersey, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris and Zurich), the Americas (New York, San Francisco and Santiago) and Asia (Beijing, Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul). It manages funds on behalf of around 970 clients through five pillars of investment expertise: Fund of Funds, Direct Funds, Infrastructure, Real Estate and Private Debt.
www.ardian.com

ABOUT ZAKA INVESTMENTS

ZAKA Investments, a Parisian real estate company owned by Pierre Bastid’s Family Office, led by Romain Yzerman, has carried out some sixty transactions since 2012 for a total amount exceeding €900 million. Its Strength? A small team of about ten people, quasi-institutional resources with immediate entrepreneurial business decision-making capacity. Its expertise? Favour complex investments, internal control of the entire investment process: acquisition, financing, eviction, permits and project management, right up to marketing or sale.
Since its creation, Zaka Investments has already completed numerous institutional disposals (Generali, Macif Immo, Cardif, Sofidy, AEW…) of core & core plus restructured office buildings, as well as several valued portfolios of commercial properties. In addition, since 2014 Zaka Investments has been pursuing the real estate development of the hotel group “EVOK” with 4 5* luxury hotels already delivered and opened in Paris (“Nolinski” 3,200 m² in Av. de l’Opéra, “Brach” 6,000 m² in La Muette with Philippe Starck, “Sinner” 3,000 m² in rue du Temple and “Cour des Vosges” 800 m² in Place des Vosges), and will follow Venice, Madrid and Rome.

PRESS CONTACTS

ARDIAN
Headland
TOM JAMES
Tel: +44 207 3675 240
tjames@headlandconsultancy.co.uk

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BBS Automation acquires ReaLead and closes group financing

eqt

Following a successful EUR 140 million refinancing, EQT portfolio company BBS Automation steps up its ambitious consolidation strategy and closes its third add-on in one year; ReaLead, a founder-led Chinese automation business with strong growth momentum and complementary customer base.
Headquartered in Munich, Germany, BBS Automation (“BBS”) develops flexible and high-quality automation solutions for complex manufacturing and testing processes. With production sites in Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, the US, China and Malaysia, BBS Automation supports a diverse network of blue-chip customers on a global scale. The EQT Mid Market Europe and EQT Mid Market Asia III funds jointly invested in BBS in May 2018 alongside the company’s founding families to support continued growth, both organically and through add-on acquisitions.

ReaLead is BBS’ third add-on under EQT’s ownership period and follows the acquisition of ANT Solutions, a Polish founder-led provider of digital factory solutions in November 2018 and TEAM (now BBS Winding), a founder-led Italian specialist for coil winding technology for e-engines in May 2019.
The recent EUR 140 million refinancing of BBS’ existing working capital and guarantee facility is set to provide sufficient financial headroom for increased organic growth and financial flexibility for further consolidation of the automation market.

BBS Automation and ReaLead – making use of EQT’s global platform
Founded by Kevin Nie in Kunshan, China, ReaLead is a fast-growing automation solutions provider with strong credentials, technical capabilities and high quality of services. The company has a longstanding track record of providing a diverse range of automation solutions, including die casting parts, electric vehicle parts and the company is one of the early entrants, and an important player, in the fast-growing 5G telecommunication space. With approximately 150 employees and an experienced technical team, ReaLead serves both Western blue chips as well as domestic Chinese customers.

By joining forces, BBS is ideally positioned to accelerate growth in Asia, and in particular, gain access to ReaLead’s Chinese customer base and country-wide manufacturing automation network. Furthermore, ReaLead is expected to enable BBS’ diversification into the Chinese 5G telecommunications space, while leveraging exposure to new potential customers through both BBS’ and EQT’s global platforms.

Josef Wildgruber, CEO of BBS Automation, commented: “The addition of ReaLead is well-aligned with our intention of strengthening our global network and increasing our Chinese presence to continue enabling our customers the best possible automation solutions and service. Kevin and our new Chinese colleagues are energetic and motivated, and we are excited to welcome them to the BBS family.”

Kevin Nie, Founder of ReaLead, added: “We are very excited to join BBS and take this next step in ReaLead’s evolution. This partnership will enable us to leverage on the technical know-how and successful experience of BBS, to improve our quality of offering and enable us to continue to drive value creation for our customers.”

Jerry He, Partner at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Mid Market Asia III, concluded: “We are very happy to see that EQT’s dual-fund investment in BBS is off to a very good start with a track record of exciting strategic add-ons and excellent collaboration with the founding partners. This is a great example of how to leverage the strategic advantages of EQT’s global platform, which enables cross-continental teamwork and sharing of local know-how. The acquisition of ReaLead will broaden BBS’ offering, market competitiveness and customer access in the fast-growing Chinese market. Looking ahead, BBS will continue to leverage on the ‘local-with-local’ expertise of both EQT’s European and Asian teams and the global network of EQT Advisors.”

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Tosca to acquire Polymer Logistics

Apax

Addition of Polymer Logistics will enhance Tosca’s geographic and product diversification and build on strong innovation platform

Atlanta, Georgia, USA, October 16, 2019: Tosca, an innovator in reusable packaging and supply chain solutions in the United States, announced today that it has agreed to acquire Polymer Logistics (“Polymer”), an innovative company specializing in reusable transport packaging and retail merchandising systems in the United States and Europe, from a consortium of private investors.

Tosca to acquire Polymer Logistics

In conjunction with the transaction, funds advised by Apax Partners (the “Apax Funds”), which acquired Tosca in 2017, will commit additional capital to Tosca to fund the acquisition of Polymer. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Tosca has a 60-year history of innovation that has driven its growth into a leading North American provider of reusable packaging and supply chain solutions across a wide array of markets. Today the company employs more than 950 people and operates 14 service centers across the US, working with the nation’s largest and most influential grocery retailers and suppliers to provide solutions for shipping perishables, reducing shrink and driving supply chain efficiency.

Founded in 1994, Polymer is a leader in retail ready packaging systems and technologies. The company provides reusable containers and other packaging and related services to grocery end markets, as well as retail, logistics and consumer goods customers. Its manufacturing operations are based in Israel and the company operates across the US, the UK and Continental Europe.

The acquisition of Polymer will expand Tosca’s geographic reach and increase its product portfolio. This will offer customers a stronger value proposition through increased network density, particularly in the US, and an expanded product offering.

Eric Frank, CEO of Tosca stated: “The acquisition of Polymer represents a major milestone in Tosca’s growth. Polymer is a leading RPC provider, with a broad international footprint, vertically integrated manufacturing operation, and a shared focus on innovation that will allow us to significantly enhance our geographic reach and offer customers an expanded product line to better meet their needs.”

Ashish Karandikar, Partner at Apax Partners, said: “We are excited to support Tosca in this transformational acquisition. Polymer has a strong track record of financial performance and a culture of innovation. The acquisition allows Tosca to access attractive markets outside of the US, while benefiting from scale, cross-selling opportunities, and collaboration on innovation.”

Gideon Feiner, Founder and CEO of Polymer Logistics, noted: “Tosca and Polymer have a shared commitment to service excellence, innovation and reducing waste throughout the supply chain. I am excited about the possibilities that will be created by our combined company and am looking forward to stepping into a new leadership role at the planned Cleanpal® unit.”

Following the close of the acquisition, Tosca intends to carve out Polymer’s Cleanpal® reusable pallets business as a separate unit within the company. Polymer Founder and CEO Gideon Feiner will assume the role of its CEO.

About Tosca 

Tosca is a leading provider of reusable packaging and supply chain solutions across a diverse range of products including eggs, case-ready meat, poultry, produce, and cheese. Our proven RPC system is a smarter way to move fresh product safely from source to shelf, substantially reducing shrink and labor cost, maintaining product quality, and optimizing overall supply chain efficiency for retailers, growers, and suppliers. For more information visit: www.toscaltd.com.

About Polymer

Polymer Logistics is a provider of Retail Returnable Packaging (“RRP”) solutions to leading retailers and suppliers mainly in the US, Continental Europe and the UK. It designs and supplies reusable RRP units that function as both transport storage containers/pallets and in-store displays. The Group is a provider of pool equipment services, supplying RRP units directly to retailers, or indirectly to major suppliers to retailers, through rental agreements. Both methods are aimed at establishing long term rental relationships with customers. Polymer Logistics is based in The Netherlands with subsidiaries in the UK, Italy, Israel, the US and branch offices in Spain and in Austria.

About Apax Partners

Apax Partners is a leading global private equity advisory firm. Over its more than 40-year history, Apax Partners has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of approximately $50 billion. The Apax Funds invest in companies across four global sectors of Tech & Telco, Services, Healthcare and Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. For more information see: www.apax.com.

Media Contacts

For Tosca

Susan Heil, Tosca I +1 920 569 5335 I sheil@toscaltd.com

For Polymer Logistics

Shlomit Gotlib, Polymer Logistics I +97 2 54 6923064 I Shlomit.Gotlib@polymerlogistics.com

For Apax Partners

Global Media: Andrew Kenny, Apax | +44 20 7 872 6371 | andrew.kenny@apax.com

USA Media: Todd Fogarty, Kekst CNC | +1 212 521 4854 | todd.fogarty@kekstcnc.com

UK Media: Matthew Goodman / James Madsen, Greenbrook | +44 20 7952 2000 | apax@greenbrookpr.com

Notes to Editors 

London-headquartered Apax Partners (www.apax.com), and Paris-headquartered Apax Partners (www.apax.fr) had a shared history but are separate, independent private equity firms.

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Tosca to acquire Polymer Logistics

Apax

Addition of Polymer Logistics will enhance Tosca’s geographic and product diversification and build on strong innovation platform

Atlanta, Georgia, USA, October 16, 2019: Tosca, an innovator in reusable packaging and supply chain solutions in the United States, announced today that it has agreed to acquire Polymer Logistics (“Polymer”), an innovative company specializing in reusable transport packaging and retail merchandising systems in the United States and Europe, from a consortium of private investors.

In conjunction with the transaction, funds advised by Apax Partners (the “Apax Funds”), which acquired Tosca in 2017, will commit additional capital to Tosca to fund the acquisition of Polymer. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Tosca has a 60-year history of innovation that has driven its growth into a leading North American provider of reusable packaging and supply chain solutions across a wide array of markets. Today the company employs more than 950 people and operates 14 service centers across the US, working with the nation’s largest and most influential grocery retailers and suppliers to provide solutions for shipping perishables, reducing shrink and driving supply chain efficiency.

Founded in 1994, Polymer is a leader in retail ready packaging systems and technologies. The company provides reusable containers and other packaging and related services to grocery end markets, as well as retail, logistics and consumer goods customers. Its manufacturing operations are based in Israel and the company operates across the US, the UK and Continental Europe.

The acquisition of Polymer will expand Tosca’s geographic reach and increase its product portfolio. This will offer customers a stronger value proposition through increased network density, particularly in the US, and an expanded product offering.

Eric Frank, CEO of Tosca stated: “The acquisition of Polymer represents a major milestone in Tosca’s growth. Polymer is a leading RPC provider, with a broad international footprint, vertically integrated manufacturing operation, and a shared focus on innovation that will allow us to significantly enhance our geographic reach and offer customers an expanded product line to better meet their needs.”

Ashish Karandikar, Partner at Apax Partners, said: “We are excited to support Tosca in this transformational acquisition. Polymer has a strong track record of financial performance and a culture of innovation. The acquisition allows Tosca to access attractive markets outside of the US, while benefiting from scale, cross-selling opportunities, and collaboration on innovation.”

Gideon Feiner, Founder and CEO of Polymer Logistics, noted: “Tosca and Polymer have a shared commitment to service excellence, innovation and reducing waste throughout the supply chain. I am excited about the possibilities that will be created by our combined company and am looking forward to stepping into a new leadership role at the planned Cleanpal® unit.”

Following the close of the acquisition, Tosca intends to carve out Polymer’s Cleanpal® reusable pallets business as a separate unit within the company. Polymer Founder and CEO Gideon Feiner will assume the role of its CEO.

About Tosca 

Tosca is a leading provider of reusable packaging and supply chain solutions across a diverse range of products including eggs, case-ready meat, poultry, produce, and cheese. Our proven RPC system is a smarter way to move fresh product safely from source to shelf, substantially reducing shrink and labor cost, maintaining product quality, and optimizing overall supply chain efficiency for retailers, growers, and suppliers. For more information visit: www.toscaltd.com.

About Polymer

Polymer Logistics is a provider of Retail Returnable Packaging (“RRP”) solutions to leading retailers and suppliers mainly in the US, Continental Europe and the UK. It designs and supplies reusable RRP units that function as both transport storage containers/pallets and in-store displays. The Group is a provider of pool equipment services, supplying RRP units directly to retailers, or indirectly to major suppliers to retailers, through rental agreements. Both methods are aimed at establishing long term rental relationships with customers. Polymer Logistics is based in The Netherlands with subsidiaries in the UK, Italy, Israel, the US and branch offices in Spain and in Austria.

About Apax Partners

Apax Partners is a leading global private equity advisory firm. Over its more than 40-year history, Apax Partners has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of approximately $50 billion. The Apax Funds invest in companies across four global sectors of Tech & Telco, Services, Healthcare and Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. For more information see: www.apax.com.

Media Contacts

For Tosca

Susan Heil, Tosca I +1 920 569 5335 I sheil@toscaltd.com

For Polymer Logistics

Shlomit Gotlib, Polymer Logistics I +97 2 54 6923064 I Shlomit.Gotlib@polymerlogistics.com

For Apax Partners

Global Media: Andrew Kenny, Apax | +44 20 7 872 6371 | andrew.kenny@apax.com

USA Media: Todd Fogarty, Kekst CNC | +1 212 521 4854 | todd.fogarty@kekstcnc.com

UK Media: Matthew Goodman / James Madsen, Greenbrook | +44 20 7952 2000 | apax@greenbrookpr.com

Notes to Editors 

London-headquartered Apax Partners (www.apax.com), and Paris-headquartered Apax Partners (www.apax.fr) had a shared history but are separate, independent private equity firms.

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The Carlyle Group completes acquisition of shareholding in Cepsa from Mubadala

Carlyle

  • Transaction completed in line with expectations announced on 8 April 2019
  • Carlyle acquires a 37% stake in Cepsa; Mubadala to remain majority shareholder in Europe’s largest privately-owned integrated energy company
  • Philippe Boisseau to be appointed CEO, taking over from Pedro Miro who will retire

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Mubadala Investment Company, the Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor, and global investment firm The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) have today reached completion of the transaction announced on 8 April 2019. 

Funds affiliated with Carlyle have acquired 37% shareholding in Compañía Española de Petróleos, S.A.U (Cepsa) from Mubadala.  Mubadala will remain the majority shareholder in Cepsa, holding the remaining 63%.

The composition of Cepsa’s Board of Directors reflects the new shareholding, with Mubadala entitled to appoint five members to the Board, including its chairman, and Carlyle to appoint three members.  In addition, there will continue to be one independent member and the company’s Chief Executive Officer will complete the board’s composition.

In parallel with the new shareholder partnership, Carlyle and Mubadala have named Philippe Boisseau as CEO to succeed Pedro Miro, who will be retiring.  Philippe is a seasoned industry leader with an extensive track record of over 30 years, notably with the Total Group, where he served in senior leadership roles in France, the Middle East, the United States and Argentina.

Musabbeh Al Kaabi, CEO, Petroleum & Petrochemicals, Mubadala, and Chairman of Cepsa, said: “We are pleased to have completed the transaction and look forward to working closely with Carlyle and Cepsa’s management on growing the business and creating even greater value from its portfolio and operations.”

“I want to thank Pedro Miro, especially, for his long and dedicated service to Cepsa.  He has played a vital role in developing Cepsa in recent years to become one of Spain’s leading companies and a business that is looking strong for the future.  I also want to welcome our incoming CEO Philippe Boisseau, who will be leading the company’s next phase of growth. Philippe is well known to Mubadala from his time in the Middle East with one of our long-term partners and we are pleased to have him on board.”

Marcel van Poecke, Head of Carlyle International Energy Partners and Vice-Chairman of Cepsa, commented: “Cepsa is an attractive, well-positioned international integrated energy player led by Pedro and his strong leadership team. We are pleased Philippe Boisseau has agreed to become CEO as he has an impressive range of skills and leadership in the international energy sector. I know he will work closely with Pedro and the Cepsa leadership team in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth and successful leadership transition. Carlyle remains excited about its role as an investor, along with Mubadala, in Cepsa.”

About Philippe Boisseau
Philippe Boisseau is a seasoned international executive who has worked throughout his career in the international energy sector.

Previously, Mr. Boisseau served as President, Marketing and Services, a global division of the Total Group and a member of the Executive Committee of Total S.A. (EPA: FP), a French oil and gas company, from January 2012 to April 2016.  Mr. Boisseau also served as President of Total Gas et Energies Nouvelles (Total Gas & Power), a division of Total S.A., from February 2007 to December 2011 and remained in charge of the New Energies activities until April 2016.  He also previously served as a member of Total S.A.’s Management Committee since January 2005.  He served as President, Middle East of Total S.A.’s Exploration & Production division between 2002 and February 2007 and, before that, as General Manager of Total Austral in Argentina from 1999 to 2002.  From 1995 to 1999, he worked in several management positions within the Refining and Marketing division in the United States and France.  At the beginning of his career, he served in various positions within French government ministries.

Mr. Boisseau is a member of the Regalwood Global Energy Ltd. Board of Directors and has also served as a member of the advisory board of the Energy Intelligence Group since 2018.  He is also on the board of Assala Energy and Enermech, both Carlyle International Energy Partners assets. Mr. Boisseau also serves on the board of I-Pulse Inc. since November 2017. Finally, he serves as senior advisor to Tellurian Inc. a US gas liquefaction Company.

Mr. Boisseau graduated from the leading French engineering school, École Polytechnique, and also holds a DEA (master’s degree) in particle physics from the École Normale Supérieure.

About Cepsa
Headquartered in Madrid, Spain, Cepsa is Europe’s largest privately-owned integrated energy company.

Cepsa is a household name and significant Spanish-headquartered company that has evolved through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions.  It now operates assets across the full petroleum value chain in more than 20 countries, delivering through-the-cycle earnings resilience and also operates in the renewables sector.

The company’s upstream assets include significant reserves contained in both the Umm Lulu and SARB fields located offshore Abu Dhabi. Cepsa is also a significant oil producer in Algeria and operates in South America and Southeast Asia.

Cepsa’s retail business includes an extensive network of service stations across the Iberian Peninsula and an integrated energy offering to Spanish consumers, covering liquid fuels, gas and electricity.

The company owns and operates two refineries in Spain and has committed significant capital to ensure they remain among the most efficient in Europe and well positioned to respond to the new IMO quality and emissions requirements when they take effect in January 2020. 

Cepsa is also the global leader in the production of linear alkyl benzene (LAB), a key component in the manufacture of biodegradable detergents and the second largest producer of phenol and acetone.

About Mubadala Investment Company
Mubadala Investment Company is a sovereign investor managing a global portfolio, aimed at generating sustainable financial returns for its shareholder, the Government of Abu Dhabi.

Mubadala’s US $229 billion portfolio spans five continents with interests in multiple sectors including aerospace, ICT, semiconductors, metals and mining, renewable energy, oil and gas, petrochemicals, utilities, healthcare, real estate, pharmaceuticals and medical technology, agribusiness and a global portfolio of financial holdings across all asset classes. Mubadala has offices in Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, New York and San Francisco, with a joint venture in Hong Kong.

Mubadala is a trusted partner, an engaged shareholder and a responsible global company that is committed to world-class standards of governance.  

For more information about Mubadala, please visit: www.mubadala.com

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 $223 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2019, 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 1,775 people in 33 offices across six continents.Web: www.carlyle.com

About Carlyle’s Energy Platform
Carlyle has constructed a broad-based global energy, natural resources and infrastructure platform (currently with $27 billion in assets under management and 95 active portfolio companies), consisting of International Energy, North American Energy, North American Power and Global Infrastructure.

Media Contacts

London          
Rory Macmillan
roderick.macmillan@carlyle.com
Phone: +44 20 7894 1630

US
Christa Zipf
Phone: +1-212-813-4578
Christa.Zipf@carlyle.com

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HireVue Announces Close of Transaction with The Carlyle Group

Carlyle

SALT LAKE CITY – October 15, 2019 – HireVue, provider of the most comprehensive suite of AI-driven talent assessment and video interviewing solutions, today announced the completion of The Carlyle Group’s (NASDAQ: CG) majority investment in HireVue. Existing shareholders, including Granite Ventures, Sequoia and TCV, together with HireVue management, remain minority investors.

“I can’t imagine a better partner for HireVue than The Carlyle Group,” said Kevin Parker, Chairman and CEO at HireVue. “Together we’ll make swift progress on our broad, growth-focused agenda to deliver new hiring solutions and capabilities for the global enterprise.”

“We are delighted to partner with the HireVue team and to support its continued growth as it meets increasing demands for technology-driven interviewing and talent assessment capabilities,” said Patrick McCarter, Managing Director and Co-Head of TMT at The Carlyle Group.

The current executive team at HireVue continues to lead the company under the direction of Mr. Parker.

Equity capital for the investment came from Carlyle Partners VII, an $18.5 billion fund that makes majority and strategic minority investments primarily in the U.S. in targeted industries, including in technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) companies. TMT is a core area of focus for Carlyle, representing more than $30 billion of invested equity since inception.

About HireVue
HireVue is transforming the way companies discover, hire and develop the best talent by combining the power of video, games and AI for better hiring decisions. The HireVue Assessments and Video Interviewing Platform uses a ground-breaking combination of industrial/organizational science and rigorously tested, predictive artificial intelligence to help customers find and engage higher quality talent, faster. HireVue is available worldwide in over 30 languages and has hosted more than 11 million on-demand interviews and one million assessments. Its more than 700 customers worldwide include over one-third of the Fortune 100 and leading brands such as Unilever, Hilton, JP Morgan Chase, Delta Air Lines, Vodafone, Carnival Cruise Line and Goldman Sachs. For more information, visit www.hirevue.com.

HireVue Social Networks
Twitter: www.twitter.com/HireVue
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/HireVue
Facebook: www.facebook/HireVue
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/HireVue
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hirevue/

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 $223 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2019, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. The Carlyle Group employs more than 1,775 people in 33 offices across six continents.

PRESS CONTACTS

Cynthia Siemens
Communications Director, HireVue
323-509-7361
csiemens@hirevue.com 

Jenny Olson
mPR, Inc.
310-773-2568
jenny@mpublicrelations.com 

Christa Zipf
The Carlyle Group
212-813-4578
christa.zipf@carlyle.com

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Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust to Acquire the Bellagio Real Estate from MGM Resorts International for $4.25 Billion in Sale-Leaseback Transaction

Blackstone

Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (“BREIT”), and MGM Resorts International (“MGM Resorts”) (NYSE: MGM) announced today that BREIT and MGM Resorts will form a 95%/5% BREIT-led joint venture to acquire the real estate assets of the Bellagio for $4.25 billion in a sale-leaseback transaction.

As part of the transaction, MGM Resorts will lease the property from the joint venture and continue to manage, operate and be responsible for all aspects of the property on a day-to-day basis. MGM Resorts will sign a long-term lease and continue to be responsible for all operations and capital expenditures of the Bellagio, with the joint venture owning the property and receiving rent payments.

Jon Gray, Blackstone President & COO, said: “As big believers in MGM Resorts and Las Vegas, we are thrilled to partner with MGM to acquire the Bellagio on behalf of our BREIT investors. We look forward to a long and productive partnership with this world-class company.”

Jim Murren, Chief Executive Officer of MGM Resorts, said: “This transaction confirms the premium value of our owned real estate assets, highlights the unique value of Bellagio as a premier asset in gaming and solidifies our status as a premier operator of gaming and entertainment properties. We look forward to partnering with Blackstone on this asset and believe that this transaction will create significant value for our shareholders.”

Blackstone Real Estate has a deep history and expertise in the Las Vegas real estate market across asset classes including office, hospitality and residential.

The sale is expected to close by year end and is subject to customary closing conditions.

Advisors
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP served as legal counsel to MGM Resorts and PJT Partners and J.P. Morgan served as financial advisors to MGM Resorts. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co served as financial advisors to BREIT. Morgan Stanley & Co, J.P. Morgan, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. served as BREIT’s financing advisors. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as legal counsel to BREIT.

About Blackstone Real Estate
Blackstone is a global leader in real estate investing. Blackstone’s real estate business was founded in 1991 and has $154 billion of investor capital under management. Blackstone is one of the largest property owners in the world, owning and operating assets across every major geography and sector, including logistics, multifamily and single family housing, office, hospitality and retail. Blackstone’s opportunistic funds seek to acquire undermanaged, well-located assets across the world. Blackstone’s Core+ strategy invests in substantially stabilized real estate globally through regional open-ended funds focused on high-quality assets, and Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. (BREIT), a non-listed REIT, invests in U.S. income-generating assets. Blackstone Real Estate also operates one of the leading global real estate debt businesses, providing comprehensive financing solutions across the capital structure and risk spectrum, including management of Blackstone Mortgage Trust (NYSE: BXMT).

About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences through its suite of Las Vegas-inspired brands. The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 28 unique hotel offerings including some of the most recognizable resort brands in the industry. Expanding throughout the U.S. and around the world, the company in 2018 opened MGM Springfield in Massachusetts, MGM COTAI in Macau, and the first Bellagio-branded hotel in Shanghai. The 81,000 global employees of MGM Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one of FORTUNE® Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies®. For more information visit us at www.mgmresorts.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this press release constitutes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology or the negatives thereof. These may include BREIT’s financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements about plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, and statements regarding future performance. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and there are or may be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements. BREIT believes such factors include whether BREIT will complete the transaction referenced herein within the timeframe anticipated or at all, whether the joint venture and lease agreements referenced herein will be consummated on the terms described herein or at all, and the accuracy of financial or operating information reported or provided by MGM and whether such past operations will be an accurate predictor of future operations. BREIT believes these factors also include but are not limited to those described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in its prospectus and its annual report for the most recent fiscal year, and any such updated factors included in its periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this press release (or BREIT’s prospectus and other filings). Except as otherwise required by federal securities laws, BREIT undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Contacts

Blackstone
Jennifer Friedman
Jennifer.Friedman@blackstone.com
(212) 583-5122

MGM Resorts
Brian Ahern
media@mgmresorts.com

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Apax Funds launch GamaLife with GNB Vida acquisition

Apax

London and Lisbon, 14 October 2019: GamaLife, a new European life and wealth consolidation platform, launches today with the acquisition of GNB – Companhia de Seguros de Vida, S.A. (“GNB Vida”) from Novo Banco Group (“Novo Banco”) in Portugal.

GamaLife, backed by funds advised by Apax Partners, intends to build on its acquisition of GNB Vida as the start of a wider consolidation strategy in the life insurance market. Led by Matteo Castelvetri, Group CEO, GamaLife was set up with a view to transform traditional life insurance companies via a forward-thinking approach whereby technological innovation and focus on both transparency and service take a primary role. GamaLife’s acquisition strategy will focus on businesses with high turnaround potential and ability to benefit from cross-border best practices, whilst keeping central functions nimble.

Headquartered in Lisbon, GNB Vida offers protection, savings and retirement products distributed through Novo Banco’s 401 branches. The transaction will see GamaLife relaunch the product and distribution offering of GNB Vida with a view to becoming a true leader in the Portuguese insurance market thanks to a new long-term exclusive distribution agreement with Novo Banco. In doing so, GNB Vida will look to accelerate new product focus, in turn developing innovative solutions for the benefit of its end customers. GNB Vida is delighted to continue its relationship with Novo Banco and partner on this trajectory of accelerated growth.

Mr. Castelvetri said: “We are excited to launch GamaLife and believe Apax are an excellent partner to help us create an innovating pan-European life and wealth platform. We are delighted to complete our first acquisition in GNB Vida and enter the fast-growing Portuguese market. We believe that the combination of Novo Banco’s strong franchise and market position, together with our focus on new products and solutions, will bring substantial benefits to Novo Banco’s 1.3 million customers.”

Frank Ehmer, Partner at Apax Partners, said: “We have been proactively targeting the life insurance and wealth management markets for a number of years. We are excited to back Matteo and his team to grow the GamaLife platform, both organically and through further consolidation of the European market. In doing so, we are pleased to have the opportunity to help cement GNB Vida’s position as a market-leading life insurance partner for Novo Banco.”

About GamaLife

GamaLife is a pan-European life and wealth management platform founded in 2019 and focused on technology and sustainability. GNB Vida, which is regulated by the Autoridade de Supervisão de Seguros e Fundos de Pensões, held total assets of EUR 5.1 billion and total equity of EUR 391 million as of June 2019. For more information see: www.gamalife.com.

About Apax Partners

Apax is a leading global private equity advisory firm. Over its more than 40-year history, Apax Partners has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of c.USD 50 billion. The Apax Funds invest in companies across four global sectors of Tech & Telco, Services, Healthcare and Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. For more information see: www.apax.com.

Media Contacts: 

For Apax Partners

Global Media: Andrew Kenny, Apax | +44 20 7 872 6371 | andrew.kenny@apax.com

USA Media: Todd Fogarty, Kekst CNC | +1 212-521-4854 | todd.fogarty@kekstcnc.com

UK Media: James Madsen / Matthew Goodman, Greenbrook | +44 20 7952 2000 | apax@greenbrookpr.com

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KKR Acquires Majority Stake in Hyperoptic

KKR

  • UK’s largest residential gigabit broadband provider welcomes new investor
  • Hyperoptic’s gigabit capable fibre network expected to quadruple in the next three years
  • Strong potential for future deployment of full fibre services in UK, from only 8% coverage today

LONDON & NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 14, 2019– KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Hyperoptic Ltd, the UK’s largest residential gigabit broadband provider, from funds managed by Newlight Partners LP (“Newlight”) and Mubadala Investment Company. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Hyperoptic will continue to be led by Chief Executive Officer Dana Tobak, CBE and Executive Chairman Boris Ivanovic. Founded in 2011, Hyperoptic benefits from a full fibre network covering 43 towns and cities across the UK, with gigabit broadband services passing almost 400,000 homes and businesses.

Dana Tobak stated, “We are incredibly grateful to Newlight and Mubadala for their unwavering support and significant contributions to the success of Hyperoptic. Currently, only 8% of the UK has access to full fibre and less than half of that to symmetrical gigabit services.

We are confident that with the support of KKR and their significant expertise enabling high-growth businesses, our ambitious infrastructure plans to build our hyperfast network out to two million homes by 2021 and five million by 2024 will be realised.”

Vincent Policard, Member, and Cristina Gonzalez, Director in European Infrastructure at KKR, said, “Hyperoptic has a market-leading position and superior consumer product. The business is strongly positioned to meet the growing demand for full-fibre services in the UK through further investment and national roll-out, supporting housing development and renovation. Our investment in Hyperoptic builds on KKR’s strong track record in telecommunications infrastructure in Europe, investing in and deploying next-generation digital connectivity.”

David Wassong and Ravi Yadav, co-Managing Partners at Newlight, said, “We are extremely proud to have partnered with the Hyperoptic team during its formative years to build the leading fibre broadband provided in the UK. The roll out of its hyperfast network is poised to expand rapidly in the next few years and we will continue to cheer them on from the sidelines.”

“Mubadala is proud to have been part of the Hyperoptic journey. Our ICT sector strategy is focused on investments in high growth companies with excellent management, and Hyperoptic is a prime example of that,” said Mounir Barakat, Executive Director of ICT, Mubadala.

KKR’s investment builds on the firm’s track record as an owner and operator of European telecommunications infrastructure, including major joint ventures with Telxius and Altice in Spain and France respectively focused on mobile connectivity and towers, along with its ownership of Deutsche Glasfaser, a leading German fibre broadband provider. The investment in Hyperoptic is being made through KKR’s Global Infrastructure Investors Fund III.

LionTree Advisors acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Hyperoptic and the selling shareholders in connection with the transaction.

-ENDS-

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate and credit, with strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns for its fund investors by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation with KKR portfolio companies. KKR invests its own capital alongside the capital it manages for fund investors and provides financing solutions and investment opportunities through its capital markets business. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

About Hyperoptic

Hyperoptic was founded in 2011 to shake up the UK broadband market and is now the country’s largest and fastest-growing gigabit network provider. It delivers the nation’s fastest broadband speeds of up to 1Gbps (1,000 megabits per second), which is over 18x faster than the UK average.

Hyperoptic is a leader in “full” fibre optic technology, delivering fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP), not just fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC). Its future-proofed infrastructure is bringing transformational internet speeds and connection stability to millions of people across the UK.

Hyperoptic works with property owners, developers and professionals, designing and installing dedicated fibre infrastructure to new buildings and existing developments.

Working with more than 200 property developers, Hyperoptic is live in 43 towns and cities with an ambition to reach 5 million homes and businesses by 2024.

The company was awarded ‘Best Superfast Broadband’ provider by the Internet Service Providers’ Association for six years in a row. In 2019 it received awards for ‘Best Customer Service’ and ‘Best Business ISP’. It has also featured in the Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 for the last three years – the UK’s private tech companies with the fastest-growing sales.

Hyperoptic encourages every customer to leave a review on Trustpilot, where it has a 5* rating – significantly higher than other UK broadband providers – and it continues to stay high despite customer numbers growing rapidly.

About Newlight Partners LP

Newlight Partners LP (Newlight) is a private investment firm focused on collaborating with management teams and strategic investors to build unique, durable businesses, predominantly in North America. For more than 15 years, the Newlight team has helped build successful enterprises in five sectors, including financial services, telecommunications, power and renewable energy, healthcare services and business services. Led by David Wassong and Ravi Yadav, Newlight has invested approximately $6 billion in over 100 investments since 2005, first as the Strategic Investments Group at Soros Fund Management LLC (Soros), and now as Newlight after the team’s spin out from Soros in 2018. Newlight has approximately $4 billion in capital commitments and assets under management.

Source: KKR

KKR
Alastair Elwen
Finsbury
+44 20 7251 3801
Alastair.elwen@finsbury.com

Newlight
Jonathan Gasthalter / Nathaniel Garnick
Gasthalter & Co.
212-257-4170

Hyperoptic
Kathryn Williamson
+44 7598 790515
Kathryn.williamson@hyperoptic.co.uk

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