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The Carlyle Group Names Matt Anderson Chief Digital Officer and Stefan Grunwald Chief Procurement Officer

Carlyle

WASHINGTON – Global investment firm The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) today announced it has appointed two executives focused on driving value across its global portfolio. Matt Anderson, former President and Chief Digital Officer at Arrow Electronics, has been named Carlyle’s first Chief Digital Officer, and Stefan Grunwald, former Senior Vice President of Strategic Sourcing and Procurement at Cardinal Health, has been named Carlyle’s Chief Procurement Officer, effective today.

Both executives will deliver strategic and operational support to Carlyle’s portfolio companies and investment teams, working with the firm’s investment professionals and advisors including its Operating Executive and Senior Advisor consultants.

Anderson will develop and implement digital transformation strategies to help the firms in which Carlyle has invested grow and assist Carlyle’s investment teams in finding such opportunities during the diligence process. He will identify and execute new strategies in digital, data and analytics and other technologies, build an ecosystem of experts and suppliers, and play a leading role in CEO mentorship.

Grunwald will serve as the procurement and supply chain specialist for Carlyle’s portfolio and collaborate with management teams to identify and implement procurement and supply chain efficiency improvements. In addition, he will work with Carlyle’s investment teams to uncover procurement opportunities during due diligence.

Peter J. Clare, Co-Chief Investment Officer at The Carlyle Group, said, “The addition of Matt and Stefan to the Carlyle team underscores our commitment to creating value through operational improvement and to providing management teams with unrivaled tools and resources to grow.”

Clare continued, “With a proven track record of identifying and growing digital business opportunities, Matt is the right choice to help us find new, technology-driven ways to create near- and long-term impact. Stefan, an accomplished executive with 30 years of experience, will play an important role in helping our companies uncover value creation opportunities across their supply chains.”

Anderson said, “Carlyle’s growth-oriented investment approach is zeroing in on digital tools and resources as an important differentiator for its companies to unlock value, efficiencies and new business models. I look forward to partnering with some of the world’s most talented management teams, and to being part of the value-add that Carlyle brings to its investments.”

Grunwald said, “I am delighted to join Carlyle’s collaborative team and look forward to working closely with colleagues across the globe to facilitate procurement capabilities that generate positive results.”

Anderson, based in New York, brings a wealth of experience in both advising on and delivering digital transformations across a range of industries. Prior to Carlyle, he led the expansion of electronic components and computer products maker Arrow Electronics’ digital business. He led Arrow’s innovative partnership with Indiegogo, its expansion into cloud technology distribution, and launched an “on demand” engineering platform for high-tech design in the B2B space. Prior to Arrow, he led Booz & Co’s eCommerce and digitization practice and developed its digital transformation agency model before developing a digital business at UK-based yellow page and internet services company Hibu, formerly Yell Group. He holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania.

Grunwald, based in Washington, D.C., brings a strong background leading enterprise-wide procurement transformations and managing teams from diverse functional and cultural backgrounds. Prior to Carlyle, he served as Senior Vice President of Strategic Sourcing and Procurement at healthcare services company Cardinal Health where he was accountable for Cardinal’s $10 billion Medical Device spend. Prior to that, he spent 19 years at Whirlpool Corporation in various leadership roles during which he managed teams in China, Brazil, Sweden and Italy. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Syracuse University.

* * * * *

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.

Contact
Christa Zipf
+1 (212) 813-4578
christa.zipf@carlyle.com

Categories: People

Consortium of PAI and Charles Jobson aquire 96.81% of Wessanen shares-

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” or the “Offeror”), and Koninklijke Wessanen N.V. (“Wessanen” or the “Company”), pursuant to the provisions of Section 4 paragraph 3 and Section 17 paragraph 4 of the Decree on Public Takeover Bids (Besluit openbare biedingen Wft) (the “Decree”) in connection with the recommended public offer by the Offeror for all the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of Wessanen (the “Offer”). This announcement does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities in Wessanen. Any offer will be made only by means of the offer memorandum dated 11 July 2019 (the “Offer Memorandum”) approved by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (Stichting Autoriteit Financiële Markten) (the “AFM”) and subject to the restrictions set forth therein. Terms not defined in this press release will have the meaning given thereto in the Offer Memorandum.

Paris, France / Boston Massachusetts, the U.S. / Amsterdam, the Netherlands – 30 September 2019

With reference to the joint press releases dated 10 April, 8 May, 11 July, 6 September, 10 September, 17 September, 23 September, 24 September and 25 September 2019 and the Offer Memorandum, the Consortium and Wessanen jointly announce that, with settlement of the Shares tendered during the Post Acceptance Period today, the Offeror holds 74,668,704 Shares, representing in aggregate approximately 96.81% of the total number of Shares.

Transaction highlights

  • Consortium has acquired 96.81% of the Shares
  • Delisting of Shares on Euronext Amsterdam expected to occur on 1 November 2019
  • Squeeze-Out procedure will start as soon as possible

Settlement

The Offeror has acquired 3,790,589 Shares[1], representing approximately 4.91% of the Shares, against payment of an offer price of EUR 11.36 (cum dividend) in cash per Share (the “Offer Price”) in respect of each Share validly tendered (or defectively tendered provided that such defect has been waived by the Offeror) during the Post Acceptance Period.

Together with the Shares acquired by the Offeror following Settlement of the Shares tendered during the Offer Period and the additional share market purchases, the Offeror will hold 74,668,704 Shares, representing in aggregate approximately 96.81% of the total number of Shares.

[1] Since the press release dated 25 September 2019, the Offeror has received additional acceptances in the amount of 58,425 Shares which it accepted as defective tenders.

Delisting

In connection with the Offeror holding more than 95% of the Shares, the Offeror and Wessanen have requested the delisting of the Shares from Euronext Amsterdam. Subject to Euronext Amsterdam approval, delisting is expected to occur on 1 November 2019 and accordingly the last trading day of the Shares would be 31 October 2019. This may adversely affect the liquidity and market value of any Shares not tendered. Reference is made to Section 5.11 (Consequences of the Offer) of the Offer Memorandum.

Squeeze-Out procedure

Additionally, as the Offeror now holds more than 95% of the Shares, the Offeror will initiate a Squeeze-Out procedure as soon as possible. Reference is made to Section 5.11.4 (Squeeze-Out) of the Offer Memorandum.

Finally, in connection with these developments, Wessanen has stopped publishing quarterly trading updates.

Announcements

Announcements in relation to the Offer will be issued by press release and will be available on the website of PAI Partners on behalf of the Offeror (www.paipartners.com) as well as on the corporate website of Wessanen (www.wessanen.com).

Subject to any applicable legal requirements and without limiting the manner in which the Offeror may choose to make any public announcement, the Offeror will have no obligation to communicate any public announcement other than as described above.

Further information

This announcement contains selected, condensed information regarding the Offer and does not replace the Offer Memorandum and/or the Position Statement. The information in this announcement is not complete and additional information is contained in the Offer Memorandum and the Position Statement.

Digital copies of the Offer Memorandum can be obtained through the websites of Wessanen (www.wessanen.com) and PAI Partners (www.paipartners.com). Copies of the Offer Memorandum are also available free of charge at the offices of Wessanen and the Exchange Agent at the addresses mentioned below. Digital copies of the Position Paper can be obtained through the websites of Wessanen (www.wessanen.com).

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

Settlement Agent
ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
Global Markets I Corporate Broking
Gustav Mahlerlaan 10, (1000 EA) Amsterdam, the Netherlands
T: +31 (0)20 344 2000
E: corporate.broking@nl.abnamro.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.

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EQT acquires inexio, a leading provider of fiber-optic internet access in Germany

eqt

  • EQT Infrastructure acquires inexio, one of the fastest growing providers of high-speed internet to retail customers and businesses in rural Germany
  • inexio owns and operates a high-capacity fiber-optic network and is committed to provide fiber connectivity to 2 million rural and suburban households by 2030
  • As the leading fiber infrastructure investor world-wide, EQT Infrastructure is uniquely positioned to support inexio and its founder-led management team in accelerating growth

The EQT Infrastructure IV fund (“EQT” or “EQT Infrastructure”) today announced that it has agreed to acquire inexio Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KGaA (”inexio” or “the Company”) from Warburg Pincus, Deutsche Beteiligungs AG, the founders and several minority investors.

inexio was founded by David Zimmer in 2007 and has since the start invested heavily in fiber infrastructure in rural and small-town communities in Germany, predominantly in the Southwestern and Southern parts. Today, the Company provides high-speed internet access to more than 300,000 households and 6,000 businesses. inexio’s unique and scalable network, consisting of more than 10,000 kilometers of fiber-optic infrastructure, provides a strong platform for continued growth.

Looking ahead, the founder-led management team of inexio plans to continue the rapid growth of the Company by pursuing a large-scale deployment of fiber-to-the-home (“FTTH”) internet access in rural Germany. FTTH is the fastest, most reliable and future-proof internet connectivity solution available and the only technology that will be able to handle the rapidly growing internet bandwidth demands of the future.

Germany is one of the most attractive growth markets for fiber in Europe as the penetration rates are significantly lower than in other countries, such as Sweden or the Netherlands. To capitalize on this market opportunity, inexio is committed to providing FTTH connectivity to 2 million rural and suburban German households by 2030. This represents a significant share of the German government’s plan to provide universal Gigabit internet access.

David Zimmer, Founder and Chief Executive of inexio, said: “We are excited to welcome EQT as our new partner for the next chapter of inexio’s development. EQT convinced us from the outset with their hands-on industrial approach and their significant experience from other successful fiber rollouts in Europe. Together, we will be able to accelerate inexio’s growth by bringing modern and reliable fiber-optic infrastructure to two million German households. inexio is a ‘must have’ for companies and private households in a modern digitalized world.”

Matthias Fackler, Partner at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure, said: “We are delighted about the opportunity to invest in inexio. We are impressed by the growth the team around David Zimmer has achieved over the past ten years. The strong need for fiber-based Gigabit internet access in Germany will require substantial investments over the coming years. EQT, as one of the leading fiber investors world-wide, is fully committed to supporting inexio and its management team to embark on this exciting journey while also contributing to making Germany a more digital and connected society.”

The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2019, subject to regulatory approvals. Clifford Chance acted as legal advisor to EQT.

With this transaction, EQT Infrastructure IV is expected to be 50-55 percent invested (including closed and/or signed investments, announced public offers, if applicable, and less any expected syndication).

Contact
Matthias Fackler, Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure IV, +49 89 25 54 99 0
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334

About EQT
EQT is a differentiated global investment organization with more than EUR 62 billion in raised capital and around EUR 40 billion in assets under management across 19 active funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 21 billion and approximately 127,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

EQT Infrastructure owns multiple leading providers of Gigabit fiber infrastructure across Europe, including Delta Fiber (Netherlands), IP-Only (Sweden) and Global Connect (Denmark/Norway).

More info: www.eqtgroup.com
Follow EQT on Twitter and LinkedIn

About inexio
inexio is a fast-growing provider of fiber optic internet connections for retail and business customers in Germany. In the retail customer segment, growth is driven by rising data volumes and the growing use of video streaming, whilst in the business segment, fiber optic connections for small and medium-sized businesses are the key driver of growth. Just over a decade after its establishment, inexio has reached a market-leading position in rural and small-town communities in Southwest and Southern Germany, providing internet access to more than 300,000 households.

More info: www.inexio.net

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EQT Credit completes unitranche financing for CTEK

eqt

EQT Credit, through its Direct Lending investment strategy, is pleased to announce its support for CTEK AB (“CTEK” or the “Company”) with a senior secured financing.

Owned by Altor, CTEK is today a leading provider of technologically advanced battery chargers, with market-leading positions across Europe, Australia and the US. Following the recent acquisition of Chargerstorm, CTEK is also Scandinavia’s largest developer of electric vehicle charging solutions.

Paul Johnson, Partner at EQT Partners’ Credit team, Investment Advisor to EQT Credit, commented: “CTEK has over the past 30 years become the global leader for premium battery charging solutions, based on its market leading products and technology. With a strong brand and presence in key markets, EQT Credit believes CTEK is primed for continued growth.”

Alexandre Hökfelt, Director at EQT Partners’ Credit team, Investment Advisor to EQT Mid-Market Credit, added: “In addition to its market leading position in battery chargers, EQT Credit is excited to support Altor and CTEK as they continue to grow their electric vehicle charging solutions in Scandinavia.”

CTEK is the fifth Nordic investment made by EQT Mid-Market Credit II and the third in 2019.

Contact
Paul Johnson, Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT Credit
Alexandre Hökfelt, Director at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT Credit
EQT Press Office, +46 8 506 55 334, press@eqtpartners.com

About EQT
EQT is a differentiated global investment organization with more than EUR 62 billion in raised capital and around EUR 40 billion in assets under management across 19 active funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 21 billion and approximately 127,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com
Follow EQT on Twitter and LinkedIn

About EQT Credit
EQT Credit invests through three complementary strategies: Senior Debt, Direct Lending, and Special Situations. Since inception, EQT Credit has raised over EUR 7 billion of capital and invested in over 160 companies. EQT Credit’s Direct Lending strategy seeks to provide flexible, long-term debt solutions to support European businesses, across a wide range of sectors. These businesses include privately-owned companies seeking growth capital as well as those that are the subject of private equity-led acquisitions or refinancings.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com
Follow EQT on Twitter and LinkedIn

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CapMan Nordic Real Estate II leases large industrial space in Eskilstuna, Sweden

August 26, 2019

CapMan Real Estate Press release
26 August 2019 at 9.00 a.m. EEST

CapMan Nordic Real Estate II leases large industrial space in Eskilstuna, Sweden

CapMan Nordic Real Estate II fund has let approx. 11,000 sqm of mixed warehouse, production and office space in Eskilstuna to ASSAABLOY Opening Solutions Sweden AB, the well-known global lock manufacturing company, on a long-term lease.

CapMan Nordic Real Estate II acquired ASSAABLOY Opening Solutions Sweden AB’s office and industrial facility in Eskilstuna in a sale and leaseback transaction in March 2018 last year, where ASSA agreed to take a 3-year lease of the property.  Since then, ASSA has reviewed its long-term strategy and decided to extend its lease on 11,000 sqm for a period of 12 years. As part of the new lease, CapMan Nordic Real Estate II will build a new 1,500 office for ASSA and refurbish the existing warehouse, production and office space.

“We are very excited to sign a long-term agreement with ASSAABLOY, who we think is an ideal tenant for this property given the size and quality of its business and its long history and importance in the local area.  Completion of this lease is the first key step in our business plan for the property and we look forward to further enhancing the property with other projects we are currently working on,” comments Per Tängerstad, Partner at CapMan Real Estate.

Wigge & Partners acted for CapMan in the transaction.

CapMan Nordic Real Estate II is a €425 million fund raised in August 2017. The focus of the fund is to acquire mainly office, industrial, retail and residential properties located in established submarkets of major Nordic cities.

CapMan Real Estate has a team consisting of 38 real estate professionals in Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo. CapMan’s current real estate volume under management is over EUR 2.5 billion.

For further information, please contact:
Per Tängerstad, Partner, CapMan Real Estate, tel. +46 70 591 23 00

About CapMan
CapMan is a leading Nordic private asset expert with an active approach to value creation. We offer a wide selection of investment products and services. As one of the Nordic private equity pioneers, we have developed hundreds of companies and real estate assets and created substantial value in these businesses and assets over the past 30 years. With over €3 billion in assets under management, our objective is to provide attractive returns and innovative solutions to investors. We have a broad presence in the unlisted market through our local and specialised teams. Our investment strategies cover Private Equity, Real Estate and Infra. We also have a growing service business that includes procurement services, fundraising advisory, and analysis, reporting and wealth management services. Altogether, CapMan employs 140 people in Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, London, Moscow and Luxembourg. Please visit www.capman.com for more information.

 

 

 

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Blackstone Completes the Acquisition of U.S. Logistics Assets from GLP, Adding to Firm’s Leading Global Portfolio

Blackstone

New York, September 26, 2019 – Blackstone (NYSE: BX) today announced that it has closed on its previously announced acquisition of U.S. logistics assets from three of GLP’s U.S. funds for a purchase price of $18.7 billion.

As previously announced, Blackstone Real Estate’s global opportunistic BREP strategy is acquiring 115 million square feet for $13.4 billion and its income-oriented non-listed REIT, Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT), is acquiring 64 million square feet for $5.3 billion.

Blackstone and GLP announced the transaction on June 2, 2019.

Citibank, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., BofA Merrill Lynch, J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Barclays, Wells Fargo, Nuveen and Prudential are providing financing for the acquisition. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett served as legal counsel to Blackstone.

BofA Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as financial advisors to Blackstone. Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Eastdil Secured LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC served as Blackstone’s financing advisor.

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).

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

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Naxicap Partners becomes the majority shareholder of Siblu Villages

Naxicap

Naxicap Partners, subsidiary of Natixis Investment Managers*, becomes the new majority shareholder of Siblu Villages (“Siblu”)after the exit of Stirling Square Capital Partners. Founded in 1975, Siblu is the undisputed market leader in operating owner-occupied holiday villages across mainland Europe,operating 22 sites in France and the Netherlands,comprising of c.11,700 pitches. The Group’s business model relies on three interconnected activities: the sale of mobile homes, the rental of holiday village pitches, and the sale of holidays.

Since 2015 and the acquisition by Stirling Square Capital Partners, Siblu has substantially expand edits operating footprint with five park acquisitions and five extensions in France and two park acquisitions in Holland, growing the total pitch capacity byover45%. The group has also substantially improved its pitch yield management across the estate through new turnkey commercial offers.

The French campsite market is the largest in Europe with c.900,000 pitches (22% of which are owner-occupied) and c.125 million nights sold in 2018. The sector has shown strong dynamism from 2010 to 2018,with campsites revenue increasing by 4.7% p.a. sustained by a growing demand of nights and a shifting towards 4-and 5-star sites, which offer better equipment and services. With more than 85% of sites being independent, the market is conducive to consolidation and the management team intends to pursue an active acquisition strategy, both in France and in Europe.

Backed by Stirling Square Capital Partners for 4 years, the management team chose Naxicap Partners for their next phase of growth. “It has been a true pleasure to work with CEO Simon Crabbe and his team. Today Siblu is the undisputed market leader in France, with a clearly defined pathway of future growth and consolidation in Northern Europe. We are delighted with the transformation we have achieved alongside the management team over the past four years, and wish them the very best in their next chapter with Naxicap”, commented Julien Horreard, Partner, Stirling Square Capital Partners.

“Siblu has shown an outstanding track record in implementing its business model both through organic and external growth. We are excited to stand by CEO Simon Crabbe and his team for this upcoming phase of development of the Group,” commented Angèle Faugier, Managing Director, Naxicap Partners.“After four successful and rewardingyears working towards the realisation ofour vision with the support of Stirling Square, the team and I arelooking forward to continuing to build on this success with the help of Angèle and all the team at Naxicap Partners.”commented Simon Crabbe CEO Siblu

Contacts:

Company: Siblu

Simon Crabbe, CEO

Laurent Bory, CFO

Investor: Naxicap Partners

Angèle Faugier

Caroline Lachaud

Philippe Predhumeau

Sarra El Mghari Tabib

Thomas Picquette

Marine Bussienne

Hugues Martin-Montchalin

Seller: Stirling Square Capital Partners

Julien Horreard

Jonathan Heathcote

Matteo Nichil

Amélie Mazurier

Buy-side M&A advisor: DC Advisory

David Benin

Nicolas Cofflard

Thomas Brulé

Anastasia Saldi

Joachim Canonne

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Castik Capital supports further growth of AddSecure

Castik Capital

Funds advised by Castik Capital S.à r.l (“Castik”) acquire the majority of AddSecure shares. Castik is a European private equity firm with a long- term approach to value creation that will support the company’s further growth.

AddSecure, a leading European provider of premium solutions for secure data and critical communications, and Castik Capital, a European private equity firm, today announced that Castik has acquired AddSecure from Abry Partners. Castik becomes the new majority shareholder of AddSecure while Abry Partners will maintain a minority ownership position with AddSecure management also investing into the company.

The acquisition of AddSecure by Castik is a strong validation of AddSecure’s clear vision, expansive growth strategy, and the company’s development. Over the past three years, the company has tripled in size and is now present in 12 countries.

Castik Capital, known for pursuing profitable investments in high-quality and growing businesses, which are headquartered in Europe and led by strong management teams, recognizes the distinct opportunity AddSecure has to establish the company as the leading provider of secure data and communications in Europe and will strongly support the company’s organic and acquisitive growth going forward.

“We are thrilled that AddSecure will be joining our family of portfolio companies and to have this opportunity to work closely with the company’s management team. We are impressed by their journey and look forward to accelerating and promoting AddSecure’s on-going success”, said Michael Phillips, Partner at Castik Capital.

“This is an affirmation of strength for all of us who work at AddSecure. It feels very gratifying that Funds advised by Castik are making a significant investment in us, and in the strategy that we have put into place for 2025. Castik is a perfect fit as new owners, providing a stable, long-term foundation to enable us to further accelerate our efforts in innovation, growth and profitability”, said Stefan Albertsson, CEO of AddSecure.

“That Abry Partners stays as a minority owner shows their continued confidence in AddSecure and our strategy. Abry has actively supported our ambitious growth agenda and helped us entering new markets”, Albertsson continued.

“During Abry Partners’ ownership, AddSecure has grown from a local Scandinavian alarm solutions provider to a European supplier of smart, connected IoT solutions targeted to alarms, rescue, utilities, transport, and logistics customers. The company has executed a successful M&A strategy to reach these verticals and has continued to strengthen its organization over our investment period. We look forward to working with the team and Castik on the next phase of AddSecure’s journey”, said Rob Nicewicz, Principal at Abry Partners.

With a mission to deliver value to its customers by securing their life- and business critical applications, AddSecure has built a comprehensive portfolio of secure solutions to serve organizations and teams within Smart Alarms, Smart Rescue, Smart Grids and Smart Transport.

Stefan Albertsson will remain the CEO of AddSecure. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

For more information, please contact:

Stefan Albertsson, CEO, AddSecure
Mobile: +46 76 106 27 28, Stefan.albertsson@addsecure.com

Kristina Grandin, Corporate Marketing Manager, AddSecure Mobile: +46 70 689 52 08, kristina.grandin@addsecure.com

About Castik

Castik Capital S.à r.l (“Castik”) manages investments in private equity. Castik is a European multi-strategy investment manager, acquiring significant ownership positions in European private and public companies, where long-term value can be generated through active partnerships with management teams. Founded in 2014, Castik is based in Luxembourg and focuses on identifying and developing investment opportunities across Europe. The advisor to Castik is Castik Capital Partners GmbH, based in Munich. Investments are made by the Luxembourg-based fund, EPIC I SLP, the first fund managed by Castik, which had its final fund close of EUR 1bn in July 2015.

About Abry Partners

Abry is one of the most experienced and successful sector-focused private equity investment firms in North America. Since their founding in 1989, the firm has completed over $82.0 billion of leveraged transactions and other private equity or preferred equity placements. Currently, the firm manages over $5.0 billion of capital across their active funds.
For more information on Abry, please visit www.abry.com.

About AddSecure

AddSecure is a leading European provider of premium solutions for secure data and critical communications. The company serves over 50,000 customers and partners around Europe with secure communications and solutions that help customers safeguard their life- and business-critical applications. This helps save lives, protect property and vital societal functions, and drive business.
AddSecure offers solutions within Smart Alarms, Smart Rescue, Smart Grids and Smart Transport.

The company founded in the early 1970s today employs more than 330 staff. AddSecure is headquartered in Sweden and has regional offices as well as a network of distributors around Europe.
AddSecure is owned by Abry Partners, an American private equity fund founded in 1989 and headquartered in Boston, USA.

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AURELIUS subsidiary Office Depot Europe to sell its Central and Eastern European (CEE) business to strategic buyer PBS Holding

Aurelius Capital

  • Successful transformation of the business in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) led to a strong market position
  • Strategic buyer PBS Group to further strengthen CEEs position
  • Sale of CEE business as part of ongoing transformation of Office Depot Europe

Munich/Venlo, September 26, 2019 – Office Depot Europe, a portfolio company of AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA (ISIN: DE000A0JK2A8) has agreed to sell its Czech and Slovak subsidiaries to strategic buyer PBS Holding AG. PBS Group is a leading reseller of office supplies, paper and stationery headquartered in Wels/Austria. PBS Group are serving its customers in Austria, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. The transaction is subject to the approval of the relevant antitrust authorities and is expected to close in due course.

Successful strategic transformation of the business in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) led to a strong market position

Following its acquisition by AURELIUS in January 2017, Office Depot Europe was subject to a comprehensive transformation programme. Consequently, the CEE business saw the product and service offering being extended into adjacent areas such as office furniture, PPE (personal protective equipment), managed-printing services as well as cleaning & hygiene products. The CEE business has a particular focus on servicing larger contract business customers (SME organisations, public sector as well as local operations of international corporations). Over the last two and a half years Office Depot Europe´s CEE business managed to grow organically and increased its market share. This has resulted in the company reaching a strong position in its relevant markets.

Strategic buyer PBS to further strengthen CEEs position

Office Depot Europe and PBS Group have a strong relationship and will collaborate in serving international corporations across the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. This strategic acquisition allows PBS Group to strengthen its market position in the relevant markets.

Sale of CEE business as part of ongoing transformation of Office Depot Europe

Office Depot Europe has made major progress in enhancing the efficiency thanks to process optimisations and system enhancements. Significant investments and organisational changes with respect to the Group’s e-commerce capabilities are being rewarded with favourable development of the online business. In this respect, a customer-centric strategy also entails further actions to extent the assortment. The divestment of the CEE business will be accompanied by the group further focusing its resources continuing the existing path in a dynamic market environment.

 

About PBS Holding AG

PBS Holding AG is a leading reseller and distributor of office supplies, paper and stationery headquartered in Wels/Austria. PBS Group are serving its customers in Austria, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. More than 1,000 employees generate annual revenues of EUR 280 million.

Categories: News

EQT acquires inexio, a leading provider of fiber-optic internet access in Germany

eqt

  • EQT Infrastructure acquires inexio, one of the fastest growing providers of high-speed internet to retail customers and businesses in rural Germany
  • inexio owns and operates a high-capacity fiber-optic network and is committed to provide fiber connectivity to 2 million rural and suburban households by 2030
  • As the leading fiber infrastructure investor world-wide, EQT Infrastructure is uniquely positioned to support inexio and its founder-led management team in accelerating growth

The EQT Infrastructure IV fund (“EQT” or “EQT Infrastructure”) today announced that it has agreed to acquire inexio Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KGaA (”inexio” or “the Company”) from Warburg Pincus, Deutsche Beteiligungs AG, the founders and several minority investors.

inexio was founded by David Zimmer in 2007 and has since the start invested heavily in fiber infrastructure in rural and small-town communities in Germany, predominantly in the Southwestern and Southern parts. Today, the Company provides high-speed internet access to more than 300,000 households and 6,000 businesses. inexio’s unique and scalable network, consisting of more than 10,000 kilometers of fiber-optic infrastructure, provides a strong platform for continued growth.

Looking ahead, the founder-led management team of inexio plans to continue the rapid growth of the Company by pursuing a large-scale deployment of fiber-to-the-home (“FTTH”) internet access in rural Germany. FTTH is the fastest, most reliable and future-proof internet connectivity solution available and the only technology that will be able to handle the rapidly growing internet bandwidth demands of the future.

Germany is one of the most attractive growth markets for fiber in Europe as the penetration rates are significantly lower than in other countries, such as Sweden or the Netherlands. To capitalize on this market opportunity, inexio is committed to providing FTTH connectivity to 2 million rural and suburban German households by 2030. This represents a significant share of the German government’s plan to provide universal Gigabit internet access.

David Zimmer, Founder and Chief Executive of inexio, said: “We are excited to welcome EQT as our new partner for the next chapter of inexio’s development. EQT convinced us from the outset with their hands-on industrial approach and their significant experience from other successful fiber rollouts in Europe. Together, we will be able to accelerate inexio’s growth by bringing modern and reliable fiber-optic infrastructure to two million German households. inexio is a ‘must have’ for companies and private households in a modern digitalized world.”

Matthias Fackler, Partner at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure, said: “We are delighted about the opportunity to invest in inexio. We are impressed by the growth the team around David Zimmer has achieved over the past ten years. The strong need for fiber-based Gigabit internet access in Germany will require substantial investments over the coming years. EQT, as one of the leading fiber investors world-wide, is fully committed to supporting inexio and its management team to embark on this exciting journey while also contributing to making Germany a more digital and connected society.”

The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2019, subject to regulatory approvals. Clifford Chance acted as legal advisor to EQT.

With this transaction, EQT Infrastructure IV is expected to be 50-55 percent invested (including closed and/or signed investments, announced public offers, if applicable, and less any expected syndication).

Contact
Matthias Fackler, Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure IV, +49 89 25 54 99 0
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334

About EQT
EQT is a differentiated global investment organization with more than EUR 62 billion in raised capital and around EUR 40 billion in assets under management across 19 active funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 21 billion and approximately 127,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

EQT Infrastructure owns multiple leading providers of Gigabit fiber infrastructure across Europe, including Delta Fiber (Netherlands), IP-Only (Sweden) and Global Connect (Denmark/Norway).

More info: www.eqtgroup.com
Follow EQT on Twitter and LinkedIn

About inexio
inexio is a fast-growing provider of fiber optic internet connections for retail and business customers in Germany. In the retail customer segment, growth is driven by rising data volumes and the growing use of video streaming, whilst in the business segment, fiber optic connections for small and medium-sized businesses are the key driver of growth. Just over a decade after its establishment, inexio has reached a market-leading position in rural and small-town communities in Southwest and Southern Germany, providing internet access to more than 300,000 households.

More info: www.inexio.net

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