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CVC funds to partner with ironSource

New investment by CVC funds will allow ironSource to further accelerate both organic and inorganic growth

Leading mobile marketing company ironSource announced today that CVC Funds have agreed to acquire a minority stake for over $400 million in the company. The partnership reflects a shared long-term vision to further strengthen ironSource’s position as a global market leader in the high-growth mobile advertising and mobile gaming technology markets and will serve to accelerate strategic growth.

“As one of the world’s most respected private equity firms, CVC has a track record of successfully partnering with companies to drive global growth,” said Tomer Bar Zeev, CEO and Co-Founder of ironSource. “As such they are the perfect partner for this next phase in our journey, as we continue to scale internationally, engage with A-class partners and invest heavily in building out our offering for game developers.”

Profitable from almost day one, ironSource has grown rapidly since its founding in 2009 and is on track to finish 2019 with approximately $1 billion of revenue. Through its various technologies, the company works with a unique combination of customers including software, app and game developers, telecom operators, and mobile device original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The company  focuses on developing technologies for app monetization and distribution, with its core products targeting game developers.

The  gaming industry is experiencing rapid growth, and is on track to generate $180 billion in 2021, with mobile gaming experiencing a 27% CAGR. ironSource’s growth platform provides mobile game developers with the tools they need to grow and scale their game businesses.

“We’re witnessing the creation of a sector, gametech, which supports this growing ecosystem, with tailor-made tech solutions such as advertising, marketing, analytics, market intelligence, CRM and more,” says Bar-Zeev. “Our continued investment in this industry is part of a wider goal to be the go-to partner for any game developer looking to scale their game business.”

Another key growth driver for the company is Aura, ironSource’s solution for mobile carriers and device manufacturers. Aura provides a dynamic engagement and content distribution solution, empowering OEMs and telecoms operators to build ongoing relationships with their customers, ultimately turning those customers into engaged users. The technology is integrated on more than 120 million mobile devices globally, through partnerships with the top telecoms operators in the US and international mobile OEMs.

“By combining best-in-class technology with strategic acquisitions we’ve proven our ability to support the growth of our clients and create a unique experience for their users, and that’s something we plan to continue investing in moving forward,” concluded Bar Zeev.

“We are delighted to be partnering with such an innovative and exciting technology business,” said Daniel Pindur, Partner at CVC Capital Partners. “The investment in ironSource  is a unique opportunity to support a well-respected founder-led organization to accelerate its growth. We look forward to working with Tomer Bar Zeev and his team to take the company to the next level.”

Sebastian Kuenne, Managing Director, CVC Growth Partners added: “We are very excited about CVC Funds’ first technology deal in Israel. Israel is a hub for leading edge technology companies and ironSource is a prime example. We are excited by the opportunity to partner with ironSource’s founders to continue to provide leading technology solutions to its customers.”

Board members at ironSource, Shlomo Dovrat, Co-Founder of Viola Ventures and Ronen Nir, GP at Viola Ventures, added: “As the first institutional investor in ironSource, we had the honour of working with this exceptional founding team, and supporting their growth to become one of Israel’s first unicorns. We are big believers in the company’s ongoing journey to becoming a global leader and with CVC’s support, we are confident the company will sustain its rapid growth and high profitability. ironSource is a fantastic example of Viola’s commitment to backing Israeli entrepreneurs who aspire to build multi-billion dollar companies, and is an inspiration for the entire Israeli tech ecosystem.”

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Blackstone to Acquire 65% Controlling Interest in Great Wolf Resorts and Form New $2.9 Billion Joint Venture With Centerbridge Partners

Blackstone

NEW YORK–Blackstone Real Estate Partners IX, an affiliate of Blackstone (NYSE: BX) (“Blackstone”), and affiliates of Centerbridge Partners, L.P. (“Centerbridge”, the existing owner) announced today that Blackstone is acquiring a 65% controlling interest in Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. (“Great Wolf” or the “Company”). Great Wolf is a leading owner and operator of family-oriented entertainment resorts, with 18 resorts around the country. As part of the transaction, Blackstone and Centerbridge will form a new $2.9 billion joint venture to own the Company.

Tyler Henritze, Head of US Acquisitions for Blackstone Real Estate, commented, “We have been very impressed by the evolution and growth of the company under Centerbridge’s ownership. With the leadership of its talented management team, Great Wolf has enriched the guest experience and opened seven new lodges since 2015. We look forward to investing in these properties to further deliver for guests and grow the company.”

“We are enthusiastic about partnering with Blackstone to continue accelerating the growth of the company,” stated William D. Rahm, a Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Real Estate at Centerbridge. “Blackstone is one of the most experienced and successful investors in the hospitality and leisure industries, and is highly supportive of Great Wolf’s growth potential and each lodge’s ability to provide unparalleled experiences for families.”

Murray Hennessy, the CEO of Great Wolf Resorts, stated, “We are pleased to welcome Blackstone as a new member of the Great Wolf pack and excited to begin the next chapter for our rapidly expanding company. Great Wolf stands to benefit greatly from Blackstone’s world-class insights and expertise in hospitality, and values Centerbridge’s continued involvement as we look to further expand the Great Wolf brand with the development of new resorts and enhancements to our renowned immersive family experiences.”

Advisors
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are serving as financial advisors to Great Wolf, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is serving as legal counsel to Great Wolf.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLC is serving as legal counsel to Blackstone.

About Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.
Great Wolf provides safe and immersive entertainment experiences for families in all seasons and all weather conditions across 18 resorts, or “lodges”, in the United States and Canada, with more in the pipeline including a new lodge in Northern California scheduled to open in 2020. Every Great Wolf lodge contains a full-service hotel, expansive indoor waterpark, recreational activities including game rooms, ropes courses, and family bowling alleys, various food & beverage offerings, and themed experiences with proprietary characters unique to Great Wolf. The company has approximately 6,000 full-time employees nationwide.

About Centerbridge Partners, L.P. (“Centerbridge”)
Centerbridge Partners, L.P. is a private investment management firm employing a flexible approach across investment disciplines—from private equity to credit and related strategies, and real estate—in an effort to find the most attractive opportunities for our investors and business partners. The Firm was founded in 2005 and as of June 30, 2019 has approximately $27 billion in capital under management with offices in New York and London. Centerbridge is dedicated to partnering with world-class management teams across targeted industry sectors and geographies to help companies achieve their operating and financial objectives. For more information, please visit www.Centerbridge.com.

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. Our 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 that 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).

Contacts

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

Centerbridge Contact 
Jeremy Fielding / Anntal Silver
Kekst CNC
jeremy.fielding@kekstcnc.com / anntal.silver@kekstcnc.com 
Tel: (212) 521-4800

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The Carlyle Group Names John Kim as Managing Director of Asia Buyout Team

Carlyle

Seoul – Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) today announced that John Kim will join the firm as a Managing Director of the Asia Buyout Team effective March 2020. Mr. Kim will lead Carlyle’s investment activities in Korea.

Joining from Goldman Sachs, where he served as Head of Mergers & Acquisitions in Asia ex-Japan, John brings more than 20 years’ experience in the financial industry. He previously served as the bank’s Co-Country Head of Korea and Head of Investment Banking in Korea and joined the firm in 2000 as an Executive Director for Corporate Finance in Seoul.

X.D. Yang, Managing Director and Chairman of Carlyle Asia, said, “John is an experienced leader in the region and has a wide range of experience working on significant transactions throughout Asia. We believe his background and deep understanding of the Korean market will help us position the business for the future and continue to create value for all of our stakeholders in the region.”

Greg Zeluck, Co-Head of the Asia Buyout team, said, “John joins at an exciting time for Carlyle in Korea. We see compelling opportunities, driven by restructurings within the corporate sector, multinationals and chaebols looking to divest non-core businesses, and generational changes. John will be a strong addition to the team as we continue to increase our investment in Korea.”

The Carlyle Group was one of the first global investment firms to establish a presence in Korea, having operated in the country for 20 years. As of June 30, 2019, the firm has invested more than US$1.5 billion of equity in Korea. Among the firm’s most recent and notable transactions has been its investment in ADT Caps, Korea’s second largest security services provider, and Yakjin Trading Corp, a major Korean apparel manufacturer.

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.

Web: www.carlyle.com

 

Media Contact:

The Carlyle Group
Tammy Li
Phone: +852 2878 5236
Email: tammy.li@carlyle.com

Categories: People

DIF Capital Partners’ investment in Irish Schools PPP project successfully completed

DIF

DIF Capital Partners (“DIF”) is pleased to report that the construction of the Irish Schools PPP Bundle 5 project (the “Project”) has been successfully delivered. The comprehensive restructuring was required due to the liquidation of the project contractor Carillion in 2018, which initially led to a standstill of the construction of the new school facilities and uncertainty for many students.

Carlow Campus, including Tyndall college and the institute of Further Education are the last facilities in the Project that opened their doors to students for the start of the new school year. This marks the successful completion of all six facilities within the Project. The other facilities became operational in Q3 2018 and Q2 2019.

The Irish Schools PPP Programme, procured by the National Development Finance Agency (“NDFA”) on behalf of the Department of Education & Skills (“DoES”), represents a major investment in education infrastructure through the delivery of new, state-of-the-art education facilities by way of public private partnership (“PPP”) arrangements. The Project delivered five replacement schools and one replacement Institute of Further Education that will be used by DoES as a template for other projects as a centre of excellence.

DIF had previously confirmed its longstanding commitment to the Project by appointing Omagh-based Woodvale Construction (“Woodvale”) as a replacement contractor in June 2018, following the liquidation of Carillion, a UK construction company and DIF’s original co-shareholder in the Project. This built on Woodvale’s experience in projects to deliver education facilities. Integrated facilities management services and life cycle provisions are provided by Sensori Facilities Management, a joint venture of John Sisk and Son, one of the largest Irish construction companies, and Designer Group, the Dublin-based international electrical and mechanical engineering business.

DIF was able to proceed with the Project and to successfully deliver it due to constructive cooperation and negotiations between all stakeholders. This will secure education in all new facilities over the next 25 years.

About DIF Capital Partners

DIF Capital Partners (“DIF”) is an independent infrastructure fund manager, with €5.6 billion of assets under management across seven closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF invests in construction and operational infrastructure assets, that generate stable and predictable cash flows, located in Europe, Americas and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF Infrastructure V targets equity investments in public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, regulated utilities and renewable energy projects with long-term contracted or regulated income streams.
  • DIF Core Infrastructure Fund I targets equity investments in small to mid-sized infrastructure assets in the energy, transportation and telecom sectors with mid-term contracted income streams.

DIF has a team of over 135 professionals, based in nine offices located in Schiphol (the Netherlands), Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Santiago, Sydney and Toronto. Please visit www.dif.eu for further information.

Contact:
Allard Ruijs, Partner
Email: a.ruijs@dif.eu

 

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Delisting of the Wessanen shares will occur on 1 November 2019

PAI Partners

This is a joint press release by PAI Partners SAS (“PAI”) and various entities (indirectly) controlled by or affiliated to Charles Jobson and/or his family members (“Charles Jobson”), acting jointly through Best of Nature Bidco B.V. (“Bidco”, and together with PAI and Charles Jobson, the “Consortium”), and Koninklijke Wessanen N.V. (“Wessanen” or the “Company”).

Paris, France / Boston Massachusetts, the U.S. / Amsterdam, the Netherlands – 2 October 2019

With reference to the joint press release dated 30 September 2019, the Consortium and Wessanen jointly announce that, in connection with the Consortium holding more than 95% of the issued and outstanding shares in Wessanen following completion of its public offer, Euronext Amsterdam N.V. (“Euronext Amsterdam”) has consented to the delisting of the Shares from Euronext Amsterdam.

Delisting shall occur on Friday 1 November 2019 and, accordingly, the last trading day of the Shares shall be Thursday 31 October 2019.

For more information, please contact:

Press enquiries for the Consortium
CFF Communications
Presthaya Fixter
T: +31 (0)6 2959 7748
E: presthaya.fixter@cffcommunications.nl

Press enquiries for Wessanen
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Ingo Heijnen
T: +31 (0)6 5586 7904
E: ingo.heijnen@hkstrategies.com

Wessanen
Koninklijke Wessanen N.V.
Hoogoorddreef 5 Atlas Arena, (1101 BA) Amsterdam, the Netherlands

About PAI Partners

PAI Partners is a leading European private equity firm with offices in Paris, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Munich, New York and Stockholm. PAI Partners manages EUR 13.4 billion of dedicated buyout funds. Since 1994, the company has completed 71 transactions in 11 countries, representing over EUR 50 billion in transaction value. PAI Partners is characterised by its industrial approach to ownership combined with its sector-based organisation. PAI Partners provides the companies it owns with the financial and strategic support required to pursue their development and enhance strategic value creation.

About Charles Jobson

Charles Jobson, CFA, has been a director at Good Times Restaurants Inc. (listed on NASDAQ) since May 24, 2018. He co-founded Delta Partners, LLC in 1999 and serves as its portfolio manager. Charles Jobson has been a long-term shareholder of Wessanen since 2009. Charles Jobson has shown strong support for the current management of Wessanen and believes in the current strategy. He would like to continue investing in the business to unlock its further potential as a growth company.

About Koninklijke Wessanen

Koninklijke Wessanen is a leading company in the European market for healthy and sustainable food. In 2018, revenue was EUR 628 million, and the company employed on average 1,350 people. With its purpose ‘connect to nature’ Wessanen focuses on organic, vegetarian, fair trade and nutritionally beneficial products. The family of companies is committed to driving positive change in food in Europe. Wessanen’s own brands include many pioneers and market leaders: Allos, Alter Eco, Bjorg, Bonneterre, Clipper, Destination, El Granero, Isola Bio, Kallø, Mrs Crimble’s, Tartex, Whole Earth and Zonnatura.

General restrictions

The distribution of this press release may, in some jurisdiction other than the Netherlands, be restricted by law or regulation. Accordingly, persons who come into possession of this document should inform themselves of and observe these restrictions. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Offeror and Wessanen disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of any such restrictions by any person. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of that jurisdiction. Neither the Offeror, nor Wessanen, nor any of their advisors assumes any responsibility for any violation by any of these restrictions. Any Shareholder who is in any doubt as to his or her position should consult an appropriate professional advisor without delay.

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer or an invitation to acquire or dispose of any securities or investment advice or an inducement to enter into investment activity. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or acquire the securities of Wessanen in any jurisdiction.

To the extent permissible under applicable law or regulation, the Offeror and its affiliates or brokers (acting as agents for the Offeror or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time after the date hereof, and other than pursuant to the intended offer, directly or indirectly purchase, or arrange to purchase, ordinary shares in the share capital of Wessanen, that are the subject of the Offer. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in the Netherlands, such information will be disclosed by means of a press release to inform Shareholders of such information. In addition, financial advisors to the Offeror may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Wessanen, to the extent permissible under law or regulation, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this press release may be considered “forward-looking statements”, such as statements relating to the impact of this transaction on the Offeror and Wessanen. Forward-looking statements include those preceded by, followed by or that include the words “anticipated,” “expected” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Although the Offeror and Wessanen believe that the assumptions upon which their respective financial information and their respective forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, they can give no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, receipt of regulatory approvals without unexpected delays or conditions, the Offeror’s ability to achieve the anticipated results from the acquisition of Wessanen, the effects of competition (in particular the response to the transaction in the marketplace), economic conditions in the global markets in which the Offeror and Wessanen operate, and other factors that can be found in the Offeror’s and Wessanen press releases and public filings. Neither the Offeror, nor Wessanen, nor any of their advisors, accepts any responsibility for any financial information contained in this press release relating to the business, results of operations or financial condition of the other or their respective groups. Each of the Offeror and Wessanen expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such forward-looking statement is based.

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Bain Capital agreed with U.S. Cheetah Digital Inc. to acquire its Japanese E-mail Service Provider Business

BainCapital

Hong Kong, October 1, 2019 – Bain Capital Private Equity is pleased to announce today that it has acquired Japanese e-mail service provider business from a U.S. marketing solutions provider Cheetah Digital, Inc. (Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois), via Cheetah Digital Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Eugene Hashimoto) (“Cheetah Digital”). The acquisition price has not been disclosed.

Cheetah Digital’s e-mail service provider, MailPublisher, has the industry-leading technologies in the growing digital marketing space. It is distributing 6.1 billion e-mails on a monthly basis, and is introduced to more than 5,300 companies in total. MailPublisher has established a critical infrastructure to its customers, and is maintaining the top share in the e-mail service provider market for the 11 consecutive years.

Yuji Sugimoto, a Managing Director at Bain Capital Private Equity, said: “MailPublisher of Cheetah Digital has an exceptional functionality delivering a large volume of e-mails at high speed, with high security and without delivery failure. Bain Capital will be providing active support for their further growth, including expansion of new functions.”

Bain Capital will be able to fully utilize its knowledge and proven track record in software-related areas globally, in further developing new functions in line with recent digital marketing trends, and in securing new customers through active investments in sales and marketing. Bain Capital continues to be active in investments in the software sector.

About Bain Capital Private Equity
Bain Capital Private Equity (www.baincapitalprivateequity.com) has partnered closely with management teams to provide the strategic resources that build great companies and help them thrive since its founding in 1984. Bain Capital Private Equity’s global team of approximately 240 investment professionals create value for its portfolio companies through its global platform and depth of expertise in key vertical industries including healthcare, consumer/retail, financial and business services, industrials, and technology, media and telecommunications. Bain Capital has offices in Boston, Chicago, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Dublin, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Munich, Guangzhou, Melbourne, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney and Tokyo. The firm has made primary or add-on investments in more than 875 companies since its inception. In addition to private equity, Bain Capital invests across asset classes including credit, real estate, public equity and venture capital, managing more than USD 105 billion in total and leveraging the firm’s shared platform to capture opportunities in strategic areas of focus.

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Divestiture of Aleris completed

Investor

2019-10-01 15:30

Patricia Industries, a part of Investor AB, has following regulatory approval today completed the divestiture of Aleris to Triton. As announced on July 12, 2019, net cash proceeds are estimated to SEK 2bn. Following the completion of this divestiture, Patricia Industries no longer retains any ownership in Aleris. Doktor24, remains within Patricia Industries’ Financial Investments.

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Kinnevik appoints Erika Söderberg Johnson as Chief Financial Officer

Kinnevik

1 Oct, 2019, 08:00 AM · Regulatory information

Kinnevik AB (publ) (“Kinnevik”), today announced that it has appointed Erika Söderberg Johnson as Chief Financial Officer. Erika Söderberg Johnson joins Kinnevik from Biotage where she has been CFO since 2012 and she will take up her position at the latest on 6 April 2020.

Georgi Ganev, CEO of Kinnevik, commented, “I am very pleased to welcome Erika to Kinnevik. She brings a wealth of experience including working as a CFO in fast growing listed medtech businesses, board work in Saab and Qliro Group and deep understanding of corporate finance from her early career in investment banking. I am confident that she will be a great addition to Kinnevik’s management team and add valuable insights to our portfolio companies.“

Prior to joining Biotage, Erika Söderberg Johnson was Chief Financial Officer at Karo Bio (2007-2011), Affibody (2005-2007) and Global Genomics (2002-2005) and she has been a board member of Sectra AB and MedCap AB. Erika Söderberg Johnson also worked ten years in Investment Banking and Corporate Finance at SEB Enskilda. She is a board member of publicly listed companies Saab AB (since 2017) and Qliro Group AB (since 2017). Erika Söderberg Johnson was born in 1970 and has a M.Sc. BA from Stockholm School of Economics.

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 is an industry focused investment company with an entrepreneurial spirit. Our purpose is to build the digital consumer businesses that provide more and better choice. We do this by working in partnership with talented founders and management teams to create, invest in and lead fast growing businesses in developed and emerging markets. We believe in delivering both shareholder and social value by building well governed companies that contribute positively to society. 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.

Categories: People

Ardian Infrastructure signs 10-year power purchasing agreement with Skellefteå Kraft

Ardian

Stockholm, 1st October 2019 – Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, and Skellefteå Kraft, the North Swedish municipal power company, today announced the signing of a 10-year green power purchase agreement (PPA). Financial details are not disclosed.

The PPA will see Skellefteå Kraft, one of Sweden’s largest energy producers, purchase approximately one third (250 GWh) of the wind power production of the Åndberg wind farm, located in Åndberg/Härjedalen, Sweden, for 10 years. This wind power amounts to the energy need of 50,000 electrically heated households in Sweden.

Ardian acquired the wind farm in February this year for €300 million. The wind farm, which is currently in construction in a project led by OX2 and will be ready in 2022, is one of the largest renewable energy developments in the Nordics, with capacity exceeding 280 MW. The Åndberg wind farm is one of three current wind power investments managed by Ardian’s new sustainable energy investment platform, eNordic.

Ardian Infrastructure’s portfolio in the Nordics, which already includes two wind farm investments in Norway and Sweden, will now exceed 400 MW of gross capacity, corresponding to the yearly energy consumption of more than 600,000 electric vehicles.

Eero Auranne, CEO, eNordic, says: “With this agreement we establish a long-term partnership with Skellefteå Kraft to supply locally generated green power to consumers. It demonstrates the value of strong local cooperation and the commercial viability of green energy. We look forward to continue working with Skellefteå Kraft as we build out our sustainable energy platform with further investments in the region”.

Simo Santavirta, Head of Asset Management, Ardian Infrastructure, says: “This achievement perfectly illustrates our hands-on asset management approach and the industrial expertise brought by eNordic, our local management team. As a leading investor in sustainable energy, we see significant growth potential in supporting the rapid transition currently underway in the Nordics”.

Stefan Forsgren Acting Business Area Director, Power Systems, Skellefteå Kraft, says: “As one of Sweden’s largest energy companies we have a huge responsibility to drive the transition towards a more sustainable society. We see investments into new windfarms as an important part of this transition and are excited to together with eNordic and Ardian make this new windfarm in Sweden a success, while at the same time ensuring that our customers get access to large sources of sustainable energy”.

eNordic, which is the Nordic’s first sustainable energy platform, brings together Ardian’s global investment expertise and transaction ability, with the sector knowledge and local experience of leading domestic executives Eero Auranne and Thomas Linnard.

Since 2007, Ardian Infrastructure has created a sustainable energy portfolio in nine countries around the world totaling 3 GW, including Skyline Renewables in the US (800 MW) and two joint-venture platforms in Italy (460 MW). Ardian Infrastructure’s investment in Kallista Energy, which Ardian sold in 2018, created one of the largest renewable energy platforms in France. Ardian is committed to fighting against climate change and actively seeks to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of its portfolio companies with a view to build a sustainable economy.

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 620 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 ENORDIC

eNordic is the Nordic’s first sustainable energy platform, formed by a partnership between Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, and leading domestic industry executives.

Through a local, responsible and agile investment approach, eNordic enables the transformation of the energy sector through long-term partnerships with those that develop or operate sustainable energy projects in the Nordics.

It invests in opportunities in wind, biomass, hydro and district heating, in addition to traditional energy assets that have the potential to be transformed or managed in a particularly sustainable way.

eNordic is based in Sweden and Finland, with local teams operating throughout the Nordics region.

www.enordic.se

ABOUT SKELLEFTEÅ KRAFT

Skellefteå Kraft is one of Sweden’s largest energy producers, generating wind-power, water-power, heating and bio-energy. Our goal is a Sweden running on 100 % renewable energy. That is why we only sell 100 % renewable energy and put as much as we can into investments and research. It’s going to be alright.

PRESS CONTACTS

Ardian/eNordic
Headland
CARL LEIJONHUFVUD
cleijonhufvud@headlandconsultancy.com
+44 20 3805 4827
Skellefteå Kraft
Stefan Forsgren, Affärsområdeschef Kraftsystem, Skellefteå Kraft
stefan.forsgren@skekraft.se
+46 70-3404788

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Litorina invests in NN07

Litorina

Litorina acquires a majority stake in NN07, an international premium casual menswear brand. The acquisition creates a partnership with NN07’s founders and management as well as the previous majority owner, Fidelio, which all will remain as significant owners. By combining a strong value proposition, authentic and consistent brand DNA and high-quality products, NN07 has achieved strong profitable growth since its inception in 2007. Litorina will support NN07 on its continued international growth journey by leveraging previous experience from the premium menswear market.

NN07 was founded in Copenhagen in 2007 and is well-known for its popular chinos. The company has, by focusing on design, quality and fit, successfully established itself as a lifestyle brand with a complete product range, offering trousers, shirts, knitwear, jerseys and outerwear. Sustainability is core to NN07 and pervades all products as the company constantly strives to create timeless and durable clothes that stand the test of time.

NN07’s ability to refine classic menswear and create the originals of tomorrow with superior quality has led to loyal consumers and strong relationships with trade partners. NN07 has built close collaborations with leading local and global partners such as NK, Magasin, Care of Carl, Mr. Porter, Harvey Nichols, Liberty, Engelhorn, Konen, Bijenkorf and Nordstrom. Today, NN07 has sales in more than 40 countries with c. 75% originating from Scandinavia and c. 25% predominantly from UK, Germany, Benelux and USA.

To support in the international expansion and brand development, NN07’s board of directors will be strengthened with Fabian Månsson (former CEO H&M, Eddie Bauer, etc.) as the new chairman and Hans Davidson (former CEO of Eton) as a new director. Anders Cleemann (CEO of Muuto and former CEO of Peak Performance) will continue as a director.

“With its uncompromising focus on bringing high-quality premium menswear with a strong value proposition to the market, NN07 is well-positioned to continue its strong profitable growth journey. We have good experience from investing in the premium menswear sector, for example through our investment in the premium shirt company Eton, and we are pleased that NN07 has chosen Litorina as its partner. We are very impressed with the team at NN07 and what they have accomplished. The strong relationship NN07 has with strategic resellers constitutes a solid foundation for continued international expansion. Furthermore, NN07 has a loyal customer base due to its focus on providing quality products, leading to interesting opportunities in the digital arena”, says Gustav Thott, Partner at Litorina.

”The NN07 team is excited to partner with Litorina, a leading investor within consumer brands. We are growing strongly in Scandinavia, expanding internationally with premium retailers and strengthening our presence in the online landscape. Litorina, with its extensive knowledge, experience and network, will be a great support to the skilled team at NN07 on our fantastic growth journey”, says Tommy Holte, CEO at NN07.

 

For further information, please contact:

Tommy Holte, +45 29 61 46 26, CEO, NN07
Gustav Thott, +46 708 55 66 30, Partner, Litorina V Advisor

NN07 is a lifestyle brand built on the foundations of quality, attention to details and good craftmanship. From the headquarter in Copenhagen the team creates the originals of tomorrow through uncompromising fit, design and quality. NN07 products are sold internationally via NN07’s own website, concept stores, leading e-commerce retailers, department stores and retailers. For more information please visit www.nn07.com.

Litorina, founded in 1998, focuses on acquiring and industrially developing companies together with their management teams. Litorina offers broad and deep expertise both via its own organization and through its network of industrial advisors. For more information, please visit www.litorina.se.

Fidelio is a Swedish investment company that primarily invests in non-public companies in Northern Europe. Our aim is to be an active owner that works closely with management to drive growth and create healthy and strong businesses. A combination of quick decision making and a flexible investment mandate enables us to be a long-term, flexible and pragmatic investor. In close collaboration with the management teams we help our portfolio companies by providing expertise, commitment and capital. For more information please visit www.fideliocapital.se

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