AURELIUS successfully closes sale of Solidus Solutions

Aurelius Capital

  • Sales price of EUR 330 million (enterprise value): largest exit in the history of AURELIUS
  • Multiple on money invested of approx. 16x
  • Positive earnings effect of more than EUR 100 million booked in the third quarter of 2019
  • Successful carve-out and transformation into the global market leader for sustainable packaging solutions made from recycled paper

Munich, September 5, 2019 –AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA (ISIN: DE000A0JK2A8) successfully closed the sale of its subsidiary Solidus Solutions to private equity funds advised by Centerbridge Partners L.P. for an enterprise value of approx. EUR 330 million on today’s date. The deal represents the company’s largest exit to date, achieving a money multiple of approx. 16x over the 4 years of ownership by AURELIUS. AURELIUS will book a positive earnings effect of more than EUR 100 million on this transaction in the third quarter of 2019.

Successful carve-out and transformation into the global market leader for sustainable packaging solutions made from recycled paper

AURELIUS acquired Solidus Solutions in 2015 as a carve-out from the exchange-listed Smurfit Kappa Group and set it up as an independent company after renaming it. With the aid of operational experts from AURELIUS, a new IT infrastructure and standalone finance and legal structures were established and an extensive investment program totaling EUR 60 million was adopted.

Three strategic add-on acquisitions with tremendous synergy potential greatly expanded the company’s geographical footprint and substantially improved its operational efficiency: The acquisitions of Fibor Packaging (2016), Abelan South (2017) and Northern Paper (2018) led to a revenue increase of around EUR 135 million and an expansion of activities in France, Germany, Spain and the UK, elevating Solidus to the status of a pan-European company.

The adjusted EBITDA of EUR 12.5 million at the acquisition date more than quadrupled in the four years of ownership by AURELIUS. Solidus Solutions is today the leading manufacturer of solid board packaging solutions made from recycled paper in Europe. The company produces and sells its products at 15 locations in seven countries: the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom. Solidus operates ultra-modern production and manufacturing facilities for solid board, printed cardboard and coreboard, which are sold to customers in more than 70 countries across the world.

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Advarra Announces Intent to Acquire Forte, Market-Leading Provider of Clinical Technology Solutions

The move strengthens the site-centric solutions portfolio of the largest global research compliance services organization


COLUMBIA, Md. and MADISON, Wis., September 5, 2019Advarra, the premier provider of institutional review board (IRB), institutional biosafety committee (IBC), and research quality and compliance consulting services, is pleased to announce the intent to acquire Forte, the industry’s leading provider of standards-based clinical research technology solutions for major academic medical centers, cancer centers, and health systems. Forte offers a fully integrated suite of solutions for clinical trial management, clinical data management, and research administration, including OnCore, Forte’s flagship enterprise CTMS.

“Forte is known across the research community as the gold standard for eClinical technology solutions,” said Pat Donnelly, CEO of Advarra. “Their organizational culture and values are the perfect complement to Advarra’s ‘altogether better’ approach to advancing clinical research. We look forward to collaborating with Forte’s customers and team members to continue to enhance their outstanding products and services with additional investment to serve our mutual clients.”

The combined organization supports nearly 100,000 active protocol records with top academic medical centers and health systems. Forte boasts 98 percent cumulative customer retention over 19 years of operation, serving 72 percent of NCI-designated cancer centers and 70 percent of the top 50 NIH-funded research institutions in 2019. The transaction supports continued growth for both businesses, as Advarra offers the greatest institutional reach of any independent IRB, serving well over 3,200 research institutions, health systems, and academic medical centers.

“We’re extremely proud of the highly collaborative customer community we have built over the last 19 years, which has resulted in a site-centric, integrated suite of industry-leading standards-based products and services,” said Shree Kalluri, CEO and Founder of Forte. “Joining Advarra is a great win for the research community and provides an outstanding platform for an interconnected clinical research ecosystem. Together we can transform clinical research and impact patients’ lives through the combination of eClinical technology solutions and research compliance and human subject protection services.”

“After our acquisition of Advarra in July, the Forte transaction represents a significant next step in developing, acquiring, and growing best-in-market solutions for products and services that streamline research, support faster study start-up, and enhance human research protections,” said David Golde, Managing Director of Genstar Capital. “We are excited about the value the combined organization will bring to Advarra and Forte customers.”

Forte is a portfolio company of Primus Capital. Ropes & Gray served as legal counsel to Advarra. Baird served as exclusive financial advisor and Goodwin Proctor LLP served as legal counsel to Forte. The transaction is expected to close later in September.

About Advarra

Advarra, headquartered in Columbia, Md., provides institutional review board (IRB), institutional biosafety committee (IBC) and global research compliance services to clinical trial sponsors, CROs, hospital systems, academic medical centers and investigators. Its robust regulatory expertise and innovative technology ensure the highest standards of research review are met, while putting participants first and meeting complex human research protection oversight requirements. Advarra supports all phases of research across multiple therapeutic areas. For more information, visit advarra.com.

About Forte

Forte provides software and services in the critical areas of clinical trial management, clinical data management, and research administration for cancer centers, academic medical centers, and health systems. With a strong belief in community, collaboration, and standards-based development, Forte also facilitates the Onsemble Community, a customer-exclusive group for peer networking, best practices, and support. Twice a year at the Onsemble Conference, clinical research professionals meet in person and discuss the latest challenges and solutions in clinical research. Forte provides all research professionals complimentary blog articles, eBooks, webinars, and more to support continuous learning on industry topics. For more information, visit forteresearch.com.

About Genstar Capital

Genstar Capital is a leading private equity firm that has been actively investing in high quality companies for over 30 years. Based in San Francisco, Genstar works in partnership with its management teams and its network of strategic advisors to transform its portfolio companies into industry-leading businesses. Genstar currently has approximately $17 billion of assets under management and targets investments focused on targeted segments of the financial services, healthcare, industrial technology, and software industries. For more information on Genstar, please visit www.gencap.com.

About Primus

Capital Primus Capital is a growth-oriented private equity firm focused on investing in leading healthcare, software, and technology-enabled services companies. Primus has invested in over 130 companies, partnering with exceptional management teams to accelerate growth and create shareholder value by applying its industry knowledge, financial resources, and investment experience. For more information about Primus Capital, please visit www.primuscapital.com.

MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Contact: Chris Tofalli
Chris Tofalli Public Relations
914-834-4334

Kinnevik AB (publ) (“Kinnevik”), today announced that it has invested USD 75m in VillageMD.

Kinnevik

Kinnevik AB (publ) (“Kinnevik”), today announced that it has invested USD 75m in VillageMD, a leading US based provider of primary care and a pioneer in the delivery of value-based care. Kinnevik led the USD 100m Series B and will own 10% of VillageMD after the funding round.

VillageMD enables physicians to move towards a primary care-led, risk-bearing clinical model that produces high quality care for patients and strong economic value to physicians. The company was founded in 2013 and has grown to serve more than 2,500 physicians across eight markets in the US. The company cares for approximately 500,000 lives and oversees over USD 3 billion in total medical spend in value-based contracts. VillageMD has a track record in reducing medical spend, improving health and achieving high patient satisfaction.

Kinnevik’s CEO, Georgi Ganev commented: “We are delighted to lead the funding round in VillageMD, a company focused on delivering healthier patients, happier physicians and better outcomes. We have been impressed by the company’s technology, operational and clinical support capabilities, as well as its robust business model. We see VillageMD, our fourth investment in healthcare, as highly complementary to our existing portfolio given its ability to influence a population’s entire healthcare spend. We look forward to supporting VillageMD as the company continues to grow the business.”

Tim Barry, co-founder and CEO of VillageMD, noted: “As we continue to transform and disrupt the healthcare system, we want partners who embrace our mission of changing US health care for the better. We are proud to partner with Kinnevik, who are fully aligned with our ambition to impact more patients and improve the quality of care in our country. We are very excited to have them on board in this next phase in our journey.”

VillageMD will use the funding from the capital raise to expand its primary care footprint in existing and new markets and enhance docOS, its market-leading healthcare operating system. It will also grow its Village Medical brand and scale its Village Medical home care offering.

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.

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The Carlyle Group invests in The Euro Techno Com Group

Carlyle

LONDON, UK – Global investment firm The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) announced today that it has made an investment in the Euro Techno Com Group (the ETC Group), a one-stop shop value-added distributor of passive and active telecom equipment and supplies offering product design, sourcing and logistics solutions for cable and telecom operators for network deployment and maintenance in Europe and the United States.

Equity for the investment comes from Carlyle Europe Technology Partners (CETP) IV, a €1.35 billion fund that invests in lower middle market technology-focused companies in Europe and the US. The proposed transaction will be subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second half of this year. Further financial details were not disclosed.

Founded in 1993 by Cedric Varasteh, the ETC Group is headquartered in Eaubonne (Ile-de-France), France and has operations in France, the United States, Portugal and Israel. The company’s offering covers product design, procurement and supply chain, including logistics for cable and telecom operators and network installers. Its model enables telecom customers to maximize operations efficiency and lower their deployment costs – a critical aspect of their operations as the operators will ramp up fibre deployment. Customers include major American and European cable and telecom operators, as well as large and small independent installers and sub-contractors.

Cédric Varasteh, Founder of the ETC Group, said: “Our Group is well positioned to capitalize on the huge growth in demand for data services and fibre broadband. Across all geographies, operators have started to upgrade existing networks and prepare or pursue long-term roll-out plans for fibre infrastructure and 5G. Over the past few years, the ETC Group has experienced sustained double-digit growth, driven by our customers’ network deployment, new customer wins and our rapid penetration of new countries. We have also expanded our range of products and technologies, technical expertise and breadth of services to establish ourselves as an organisation which delivers results for our customers – as this has always been our absolute priority. We look forward to working with the Carlyle team, who have valuable experience in our sector and internationalizing businesses.”

Thierry Rathuille, Head of European operations of the ETC Group, commented: “The ETC Group has developed an attractive model and strong execution capabilities in procurement and logistics. We see many growth levers for the company today and want to be in the best position to do more for our customers and further accelerate our development. This partnership with Carlyle will help the ETC Group move to the next level and support our ambitious growth plan both in existing and new geographies.”

Cyril Bourdarot, Director on the CETP advisory team, said: “The ETC Group has developed a comprehensive and unique proposition for operators enabling its customers to simplify and lower the cost of maintenance, upgrade and roll-out plans at a time when increasing broadband speed is strategic for operators to retain and attract new subscribers. We believe, this positions the ETC Group as a differentiated player with a relevant offering in a market with attractive fundamentals.”

Vladimir Lasocki, Managing Director and Co-Head of the CETP advisory team, concluded: “The ETC Group will be the first deal of CETP IV. With its strong presence both in Europe and the USA, ETC is a perfect fit for CETP’s strategy and transatlantic team. We have followed the growth of the ETC Group for a number of years, and have been very impressed by the ETC Group’s management team. We believe the ETC Group’s model makes a lot of sense in the telecom value chain that has become increasingly fragmented and complex. We are excited to bring our experience and network in the telecom sector to become a key partner to the management team as they continue their expansion.”

*****

 

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.

About The Euro Techno Com Group
The Euro Techno Com Group (the ETC Group) is a one-stop-shop valued-added distributor of equipment and supplies for the telecommunications market. Founded in 1993 by Cedric Varasteh, the ETC Group supplies and distributes a comprehensive range of passive and active equipment and tools for telecom network deployment and maintenance and offers a comprehensive range of services including product design and equipment selection, sourcing, outsourced procurement and logistics solutions for cable and telecom operators and network installers and their subcontractors. Today, the ETC Group employs over 550 people across facilities in France, the USA, Portugal and Israel.

Media
Catherine Armstrong
+44 20 7894 1632;
Catherine.Armstrong@carlyle.com

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InfraRed Capital Partners agrees on sale of its interest in Auckland South Corrections Facility project, New Zealand

InfraRed Capital Partners

InfraRed Capital Partners (“InfraRed”) has committed to sell its 40% stake in the Auckland South Corrections Facility (the “Project”) to AMP Capital’s Community Infrastructure Fund (“AMP Capital”).

The Project, a 25 year contract to design, finance, build, operate and maintain a 960-place adult male prison facility on behalf of the New Zealand Department of Corrections, was sold by InfraRed’s Infrastructure Fund III, which invested in the Project at financial close in September 2012.

Sven Stubican, InfraRed’s Head of Australia and New Zealand, said with respect to the transaction:

“InfraRed has successfully concluded this process with the sale of our interest in the Project to AMP’s Community Infrastructure Fund, subject to New Zealand Department of Corrections and regulatory approval.

We are proud to have seen this important asset successfully through construction and into the operating phase. Since completion of the facility in January 2015, and operational commencement in mid-2015, we have worked closely with the New Zealand Department of Corrections to deliver a range of rehabilitation, educational and support programmes to prisoners. This has been a central goal of the Project with the dual-aim of assisting offenders to re-integrate into the community, and reducing the likelihood of re-offence.

We have every confidence in the Project’s ongoing success.”

InfraRed is committed to the New Zealand market and continues to seek opportunities in the region that are accretive to the InfraRed portfolio.”

 

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Groupe Acrotec extends its medtech sector by agreeing to acquire Diener and Tectri

Castik Capital

Today, Groupe Acrotec announced that it has signed agreements to acquire privately-held Diener Ltd. (including Diener AG Precision Machining and Diener Precision Pumps), a developer and manufacturer of precision parts and pumps predominantly for the medtech sector, and privately- held Tectri Ltd., a manufacturer of high precision parts predominantly for the medtech sector. These two acquisitions are expected to contribute sales of almost CHF 60 million to Groupe Acrotec in 2019.

The two acquisitions further underscore Groupe Acrotec’s diversification strategy towards the medtech sector, offering stable organic growth opportunities, to complement its existing focus on its high value-added watch & jewellery and precision high tech divisions. Both acquisitions are conditional upon the fulfilment of customary conditions precedent. Closing for both transactions is expected to occur in Q4 of 2019.

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For further information please contact:

M.Michele Caracciolo – Tél. +41 77 410 35 60 – mcb@agencecrp.ch

About Groupe Acrotec:

Acrotec is an independent group created by micromechanical professionals. Its main objective is to be the preferred subcontractor offering a wide range of precision component manufacturing processes. Its strategy is both to provide quality products « Swiss Made » to the entire watch-making industry as well as to the automotive, medical, jewellery and aeronautic industries.

Acrotec distinguish itself by its extent of know-how provided under one roof, in its precision machining (CNC turning, multi-spindle CNC profile-turning, cam profile-turning, 3 & 5 axes milling, micro- profile- turning, transfer and machining of precious metals), by its support processes (surface treatment, gearing, assembling, heat treatment, laser decorating and engraving) and by their specific processes (UV-Liga component manufacturing, EDM, synthetic stone machining, laminating, spring shaping, design and manufacturing of machines and tooling, Silicon etching by DRIE process). Today, Groupe Acrotec has over 900 employees.
www.acrotec.ch

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Groupe Acrotec acquires Tectri SA

Castik Capital

Court (Bern)  The company Tectri SA joins the Groupe Acrotec.

Since its creation in 1998, Tectri has been an active subcontractor in the bar turning sector. With two production sites in Court and Bévilard, the company employs more than fifty people. It generates 80% of its turnover for the medical industry. A strong and historic second pillar has been developed for the technological market of micro-motors and micro-gearing, also complemented by a watch- making subcontracting activity.

At the heart of the vision of its founders, Gilbert and Fabien Bouduban, employees play a vital role and are the driving force behind Tectri’s dynamism, growth and continuous improvement. The company will continue to invest in ongoing training and support for vocational and technical schools so that it can continue to assert its position in the demanding global markets.

With the present operation, the Groupe Acrotec is taking another step in its diversification in the medical sector. François Billig, Acrotec CEO, said: “The Groupe Acrotec directors are very happy that Tectri has decided to join them. This takeover is perfectly in line with our strategy: Tectri is a new flagship that joins our “federation”, and which will allow us to strengthen our position in the medical sector”.

“We are strongly committed to continuing the development of our company and to playing an ongoing social and economic role for our region. By joining the Groupe Acrotec, we are confident that we can consolidate Tectri’s growth and sustainability,” said Fabien Bouduban, CEO of Tectri SA. The Groupe Acrotec will retain and develop jobs at the two production sites in Court and Bévilard. The human resources and skills, as well as the management team, are assured. The collaboration with the other companies of the Groupe Acrotec will facilitate the activities and allow Tectri to calmly take up the new challenges open to it.

For further information please contact:

M.Michele Caracciolo – Tél. +41 77 410 35 60 – mcb@agencecrp.ch

About Tectri SA:

Established in Court with a production site in Bévilard (Valbirse), Tectri SA has been active in the bar turning industry for twenty years. ISO 9001: 2015 and ISO 13485: 2016 certified, operating more than thirty CNC machines brought in in the last eighteen months and relying on the skills of fifty or so employees, Tectri produces implants and components intended for the medical industry as well as precision elements for the micro- motor and micro-gearing markets. Technological and tough alloys such as cobalt chrome, titanium, stainless steels and other alloyed metals are at the heart of the company’s skills and know-how. www.tectri.ch

About the Groupe Acrotec:

Acrotec is an independent group created by micromechanics professionals. Its main objective is to be a leading subcontractor, offering a wide range of precision component manufacturing processes. Its strategy is to provide Swiss Made quality products both to the entire watch-making industry and to the automotive, electronics, medical, jewellery and aerospace sectors. Acrotec stands out with its range of know-how exercised under one roof, in precision machining (CNC turning, CNC multi-spindle turning, cam cutting, 3 & 5-axis milling, micro-cutting, transfer and machining of precious metals), with its support processes (surface treatment, cutting, assembly, heat treatment, decoration and laser engraving) and its specific processes (UV-Liga component production, wire/sinking erosion, synthetic stone machining, rolling, spring shaping, production of machines and tools and DRIE etching on silicon). The Group currently has more than eight hundred employees. www.acrotec.ch/en/

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Diener Precision Pumps joins the Groupe Acrotec

Castik Capital

We are pleased to announce that Diener Precision Pumps have entered into an agreement to be acquired by Acrotec SA (www.acrotec.ch). Final closure is expected by mid-October, 2019.

Diener Precision Pumps (DPP) began supplying pumps to the medical, analytical, and industrial markets in 1994. Each product is designed to meet our customers’ unique requirement, ensuring an exact fit and reducing cost of ownership. Thanks to our loyal customer base and close relationships, DPP grew to manufacture millions of precision-crafted Swiss pumps to highest quality levels in the industry.

Acrotec SA is composed of almost 20 companies specializing in products for the micro-mechanic, medical, automotive/aerospace, and watchmaking industries. The group of companies employ over 900 people and have manufacturing facilities located throughout Switzerland and France. Their main objective is to provide engineered Swiss-made products to the highest value and quality standards.

The acquisition will benefit DPP because the group of companies specialize in miniature fabrication and finishing processes. The synergy between the companies and direct access to their technical expertise will allow DPP to expand its product capabilities and further our ability to provide customer- specific solutions. We share the same values and always place the customer and quality first.

DPP’s daily operations will not change under this structure. Our management teams remain “as is”, as do your contacts. Our company organization does not change, nor does our supplier base or quality systems. Our manufacturing processes and lines, research and development facilities, documentation systems, and conformance to regulatory standards also remain unchanged.

If you have any questions about this exciting news and what it will mean for you, please contact any of us at any time. We look forward to the new opportunities this brings to both our organizations.

For further information please contact:

Mr Michele Caracciolo
Tél. +41 77 410 35 60
Email: mcb@agencecrp.ch

About the Groupe Acrotec

Acrotec is an independent group created by horology and micromechanical professionals with the principal aim of providing the entire watch making industry with “Swiss made” quality products. The Groupe Acrotec has more than seven hundred employees. Their strategic objective is to simplify the complexities of subcontracting by supplying their customers with a wide range of horology and industrial expertise: profile-turning, crimping, surface treatments, etc. The companies in the Group possess all the skills that enable them to create and manufacture finished elements for watch making movements (springs, shock absorbers, oscillating masses, etc.), in addition to components for medical apparatus, amongst other industries. The Groupe Acrotec also produce components for connectors, telecommunications, IT and mobile telephones, automotive, injection systems, micromotors, aviation and aerospace.
www.acrotec.ch

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Teamleader acquires software company Yadera: “a perfect match”

Fortino Capital

Today, we are proud: proud to announce that the Belgian software company Yadera is now under the wings of our portfolio company Teamleader! With this acquisition, they welcome a fine team with outstanding software into the Teamleader family.

Since 2012, Teamleader has been committed to simplifying the work of small and medium-sized companies. This acquisition strengthens the position of Teamleader as the all-in-one solution for SMEs.

“A perfect match”

The current Teamleader offering – a simple tool that combines CRM, project management and invoicing – is aimed at small service companies, such as construction professionals and a wide range of agencies. Yadera’s software describes itself as ‘Professional Services Automation’ and simplifies the daily work of medium-sized companies, such as creative agencies, marketing agencies, consultancy and IT companies. A great combination!

“We can now grow with customers who are expanding their business and getting bigger.”

Read more about this acquisition on Teamleader’s Blog.

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Latour acquires SyxthSense Ltd, a U.K. based provider of sensor technology for building automation

Latour logo

Investment AB Latour (publ) has, through its Finnish subsidiary Produal Oy, acquired SyxthSense Ltd, a United Kingdom-based company in advanced sensor technology for measurement and control in building automation solutions. The acquisition further widens Produal’s product offering towards the building automation segment and expands the group’s geographical reach with SyxthSense having a strong base in the UK.

SyxthSense is based in Topsham, Exeter United Kingdom. The company’s product range includes a holistic offering of field devices and room controllers for building automation. The company had an annual revenue of approximately 2 mGBP in 2018.

“I am delighted to welcome the whole SyxthSense team to Produal group”, says Anselmi Immonen, CEO of Produal. “We have co-operated already for many years and are convinced about their high product quality and customer-driven approach. This acquisition is an important step in our ambition to grow on the international market for building automation and creates a strong presence in the UK, which is one of the largest building automation markets in Europe.”

“We see Produal and Bemsiq as perfect long-term owners for SyxthSense” says Mr. Dene Matthews, marketing director of SyxthSense and one of the founders of the company. “We all look forward to continue developing and growing SyxthSense under the new ownership and alongside the other companies in the Produal group.”

Göteborg, September 3, 2019

INVESTMENT AB LATOUR (PUBL)
Johan Hjertonsson, CEO

For further information, please contact:
Anselmi Immonen, CEO Produal Oy, +358 50 9118068

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 57 billion. The wholly-owned industrial operations had an annual turnover of about SEK 12 billion in 2018.

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