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Kuwait Oil Company Signs US$ 16.0 Billion Infrastructure Partnership Involving Its Crude Oil Pipeline Network With a Consortium Comprising Blackstone, Brookfield and KKR

KKR
  • Kuwait Oil Company (“KOC”) is establishing a new joint venture (“JV”) with three leading global investors in a lease and leaseback structure for a 20.5 year period that includes a volume-based tariff
  • Following a competitive selection process, Blackstone, Brookfield and KKR will collectively hold a 49% stake in the JV, with each investor holding an equal one-third share of that interest on equal terms; KOC will retain a 51% stake and full ownership and operational control of the network
  • Kuwait’s largest energy infrastructure partnership to date, and the largest foreign direct investment ever in Kuwait
  • Marks the first time leading global institutional investors have deployed long-term capital into Kuwait’s midstream infrastructure
  • Underscores – amidst ongoing regional geopolitical challenges – international trust in KPC’s ability to deliver on its 2040 Strategy to reach 4 million barrels of crude oil production capacity per day by 2035
  • Supports Kuwait’s economic diversification goals in a partnership with leading international investors, expected to generate US$ 7.85 billion of proceeds to support broader capital expenditure plans
  • Preserves the State of Kuwait’s full flexibility over its production and refining volumes


KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (“KPC”), the state-owned corporation overseeing Kuwait’s oil and gas sector, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Kuwait Oil Company (“KOC”), responsible for the exploration, production and transportation of crude oil on behalf of the State of Kuwait, has signed a US$ 16.0 billion lease-and-lease-back agreement involving its entire domestic and export pipeline network with a consortium of international infrastructure and institutional investors led collectively by Blackstone, Brookfield and KKR.

As part of the transaction, a newly formed Kuwaiti-incorporated JV will lease from KOC the usage rights to all of its 13 pipelines, spanning a total of approximately 320 kilometers of Kuwait’s pipeline network. Under the terms of the agreement, the JV will grant back to KOC the exclusive use, operational and maintenance rights in the pipeline assets for a 20.5 year period, in exchange for a volume-based tariff.

KOC and the consortium, comprising Blackstone, Brookfield and KKR, will establish the new joint venture, with KOC holding a 51% majority stake and the consortium collectively holding the remaining 49%, with equal stakes and on equal terms. KOC will continue to maintain full ownership and operational control of the pipeline network. The JV will not impose any restrictions on Kuwait’s refining throughput or production volumes, all of which remain subject to decisions made by the State of Kuwait.

The JV is expected to generate upfront proceeds of US$ 7.85 billion for KOC upon closing, supporting KPC’s capital expenditure plans, including KPC’s target of 4 million barrels per day of crude oil production capacity by 2035, and supporting Kuwait’s broader efforts to diversify sources of capital and deepen engagement with global investors.

The commitment represents the largest foreign direct investment in Kuwait’s history. Its scale reflects the quality of KOC’s asset base, the strength of KPC’s operational stewardship, and the enduring appeal of Kuwait as an investment destination.

The agreement ranks among the first major inward investments in the Arabian Gulf region since the onset of recent tensions, and it bears testament to Kuwait’s resilience and agility, and the sustained confidence of global institutional investors in Kuwait and KPC.

Beyond its immediate proceeds, the JV is intended to serve as a catalyst for deeper participation by global investors in the national economy, in keeping with KPC’s development plan and Kuwait’s long-term diversification agenda.

Shaikh Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah, Deputy Chairman and CEO of KPC, said:

“Project Peregrine represents the largest foreign direct investment in Kuwait’s history and a defining milestone for our country’s economic development. It delivers on the commitment announced by His Highness the Prime Minister Shaikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah at the Kuwait Oil & Gas Show (KOGS) in February 2026 to attract world-class international investors into Kuwait’s strategic infrastructure while preserving full national ownership and operational control.

We are pleased to welcome Blackstone, Brookfield and KKR as long-term partners in this landmark transaction. Their investment reflects confidence in Kuwait’s resilience, the quality of KPC’s assets and our long-term vision for the country’s energy sector.

This transaction sends a powerful signal that Kuwait continues to rise as an attractive destination for global capital, even amid a challenging regional environment.”

Joe Bae and Scott Nuttall, Co-CEOs of KKR, said:

“Kuwait has established itself as one of the world’s leading energy producers through decades of disciplined investment and prudent stewardship. We have greatly valued our partnership with Shaikh Nawaf and his team. This investment reflects our confidence in Kuwait and our commitment to providing long-term capital in support of strategic infrastructure, and we look forward to deepening our partnership and identifying further opportunities to invest alongside Kuwait in the years ahead.”

Bruce Flatt, CEO of Brookfield Corporation, said:

“Kuwait is a long-standing and highly valued partner of Brookfield’s, and we have long admired the way it has built a globally leading energy industry. We are proud to support Kuwait as it continues to build out its vital energy infrastructure, and honored to invest alongside our partners for the long term.”

Stephen Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of Blackstone, said:

“Kuwait’s leadership, vision and resources have made it a compelling destination for international capital, built on its strength in the energy sector and remarkable efforts to diversify its economy. We are proud to support this critical infrastructure, helping meet rising global energy demand while deepening Blackstone’s nearly four-decade partnership with Kuwait.”

Additional transaction details

The transaction will be governed by Kuwaiti law and is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Centerview Partners, HSBC and J.P. Morgan acted as financial advisors to KPC.

About KPC

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation is the national oil company of the State of Kuwait. Through an integrated supply chain managed by its six wholly owned subsidiaries, KPC oversees upstream, downstream, petrochemical, midstream and international operations. KPC is committed to the responsible production and global distribution of hydrocarbons, embedding innovative energy solutions across its business while serving as a trusted and reliable global supplier of hydrocarbons. For more information, please visit www.kpc.com.kw and follow @kpcofficialkw on X and Instagram.

About KOC

Kuwait Oil Company is responsible for all exploration, production, and transportation of crude oil on behalf of the State of Kuwait (itself the owner of the oil).

About Blackstone

Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager. Blackstone seeks to deliver compelling returns for institutional and individual investors by strengthening the companies in which the firm invests. Blackstone’s over $1.3 trillion in assets under management include global investment strategies focused on real estate, private equity, credit, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, secondaries and hedge funds. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow @blackstone on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

About Brookfield

Brookfield is a leading global investment firm with more than $1 trillion in assets under management headquartered in New York that owns and operates real assets and essential service businesses that form the backbone of the global economy. We invest on behalf of institutions and individuals around the world across infrastructure, renewable power and transition, private equity, real estate, and credit—sectors critical to supporting economic growth and productivity. With a heritage spanning more than a century and operations in over 30 countries, we deploy long-term, patient capital to build the foundational assets and businesses that power a more connected, resilient, and sustainable future—seeking to build long-term wealth for our clients while delivering strong risk-adjusted returns for our shareholders.

For more information, please visit our website at www.brookfield.com.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.

 

Contacts

Media Contacts

KPC/KOC
Shahad Al-Rashidi
corporaterelations@kpc.com.kw

Blackstone
Dafina Grapci-Penney / Tom Clements
pressinquiries@blackstone.com

Brookfield
Simon Maine: simon.maine@brookfield.com
Shveta Singh: shveta.singh@brookfield.com

KKR
Annabel Arthur
media@kkr.com

 

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Bain Capital to Acquire Vitabiotics, the UK’s No.1 Vitamin Company

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BainCapital

Planned international expansion for one of the world’s leading independent vitamin, mineral and supplement businesses, with a presence in over 70 countries

London – July 24, 2026 – 2026: Bain Capital, a leading global private investment firm, today announced that it has agreed to acquire Vitabiotics, the UK’s No.1 Vitamin Company*, including its UK operations and the wider VB Group** (including Meyer Organics in India, and its operations in Africa, including VB Egypt), marking a significant milestone in Vitabiotics’ 55-year history and signalling the next phase of planned rapid international growth and expansion.

The transaction brings together one of the world’s leading healthcare and consumer investors with one of the most recognised independent vitamins, minerals and supplements businesses globally, creating a platform for accelerated international growth.

The UK will remain central to Vitabiotics’ brand, innovation, and category leadership. There will be no immediate changes to day-to-day operations, and the company will continue to focus on delivering for customers, partners and consumers, while investing in areas including digital capabilities, e-commerce, international distribution, supply chain resilience and new product development.

Given Vitabiotics’ global footprint, the investment will be led by Bain Capital’s Asia Private Equity team and supported by the firm’s global platform. Bain Capital will bring local market knowledge in India, together with sector expertise, portfolio resources and global capabilities, to support Vitabiotics as it continues to scale its brands, strengthen its international platform and invest in long-term growth within key markets such as MENA and China.

Vitabiotics was founded in 1971 by visionary scientist and entrepreneur, Professor Kartar Lalvani OBE, who pioneered the nutraceutical field and innovative science-based formulas, leading to whole new categories of supplements and sector-leading brands supporting specific health and life-stage needs, resulting in a unique portfolio of sector-leading products, including several household names.

Over the last decade under the leadership of his son, Tej Lalvani, Group Chief Executive Officer, the business has significantly accelerated its growth and leadership through product launches and partnerships. Having dedicated more than 30 years to working in the business, Tej Lalvani has played a central role in transforming Vitabiotics into one of the world’s leading independent science-led nutraceutical companies. Outside Vitabiotics, he is widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs and as a Dragon on BBC TV’s Dragons’ Den. As founder of the Group and in recognition of his life-time contribution and leadership in the supplement sector, Professor Kartar Lalvani will assume the honorary role of Chairman Emeritus on completion of the transaction. Professor Kartar Lalvani’s elder son, Professor Ajit Lalvani, has contributed his medical and scientific expertise to the business as non-executive director over three decades, alongside his distinguished clinical academic career.

The Vitabiotics Group has built leading positions across several of the world’s most attractive VMS markets, including India, China, Egypt and the wider MENA region, supported by a unique combination of consumer trust, healthcare professional credibility and local market expertise. As the UK’s leading vitamin company, its portfolio of trusted brands includes Pregnacare, Perfectil, Wellman, Wellwoman, Osteocare, and the Ultra range, supported by strong consumer trust, healthcare professional credibility and a growing international presence.

Tej Lalvani, Group Chief Executive Officer of Vitabiotics, said: “This marks a defining moment in Vitabiotics’ journey. I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to build on my father’s vision to harness the power of science and nutrition to improve everyday health and, together with our exceptional team, help transform Vitabiotics from a British family business into one of the world’s most trusted vitamin and wellness companies. This direction is not about changing who we are; it is about accelerating what we can become. With Bain Capital’s global expertise and investment behind us, we have a unique opportunity to expand internationally, accelerate our innovation and take our trusted brands to millions more consumers, while staying true to the science, quality and values that have defined Vitabiotics for more than 55 years.”

Pawan Singh, a Partner at Bain Capital, said: “Vitabiotics is exactly the type of business we support: a trusted, science-led brand platform with category leadership, strong healthcare professional credibility and meaningful presence across the UK, India, the Middle East, Africa and China. Our India team has deep experience partnering with healthcare and consumer businesses, and we look forward to supporting Vitabiotics’ next phase of growth.”

Rishi Mandawat, a Partner at Bain Capital added: “We see a compelling opportunity to help Vitabiotics build on its UK leadership and strengthen its global platform. Across Bain Capital, we will bring sector expertise, portfolio resources and local market knowledge to support investment in innovation, e-commerce, international distribution and operational capability.”

Completion of the transaction remains subject to applicable closing conditgions, including customary regulatory approvals. Houlihan Lokey acted as exclusive corporate finance advisor to the selling party, advising on all aspects of the preparation, structuring, and negotiation of the transaction. Macfarlanes acted as lead legal adviser to the selling party, advising on all legal aspects of the sale and coordinating a large cross-border team. Rothschild & Co. acted as exclusive corporate finance adviser to Bain Capital. Kirkland & Ellis acted as lead legal adviser to Bain Capital, and Khaitan & co. acte4d as co-counsel advising Bain Capital on Indian law aspects of the transaction.

ENDS

About Bain Capital

Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is one of the world’s leading private investment firms. We are committed to creating lasting impact for our investors, portfolio companies, and the communities in which we live. As a private partnership, we lead with conviction and a culture of collaboration, advantages that enable us to innovate investment approaches, unlock opportunities, and create exceptional outcomes. Our global platform invests across five focus areas: Private Equity, Growth & Venture, Capital Solutions, Credit & Capital Markets, and Real Assets. In these focus areas, we bring deep sector expertise and wide-ranging capabilities. We have 24 offices on four continents, more than 1,900 employees, and approximately $225 billion in assets under management. To learn more, visit www.baincapital.com. Follow @BainCapital on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

About Vitabiotics

Vitabiotics’ mission is to empower wellness and healthy living through innovation in nutritional healthcare. The company has pioneered advances in nutritional healthcare for 55 years, with a portfolio that includes some of Britain’s leading and most trusted supplement brands such as Perfectil, Pregnacare, Wellman, Wellwoman and Menopace.

Vitabiotics is the leading British nutraceutical company founded in 1971 by Professor Kartar Lalvani, with a heritage deeply rooted in family entrepreneurship and scientific research. Built on a foundation of clinical insight into nutritional science, the company developed some of the UK’s most trusted supplement brands, including Perfectil, Pregnacare, Wellman, Wellwoman, and Menopace. It has grown into a category-defining business in vitamins and mineral-based food supplements, with products spanning key health areas and life stages, including pregnancy, men’s and women’s health, beauty, and family nutrition.

In 2013, Vitabiotics became the UK’s largest vitamin company by sales value, reflecting its strong market position and sustained consumer trust.

As the UK’s No.1 vitamin company *, Vitabiotics UK exports to over 70 countries worldwide. Alongside its international export business, the Group has established operations in key global markets including India, China, Egypt and West Africa, reflecting its evolution into a leading international nutritional healthcare company. Vitabiotics is the only vitamin company to have received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise on four occasions, including twice for Innovation (in 2013 for Pregnacare and in 2018 for Perfectil). Vitabiotics also supports ongoing research and original clinical trials in collaboration with universities and leading medical centres in the UK and internationally.

About Professor Kartar Lalvani OBE

Professor Kartar Lalvani’s Doctorate of Science in Medicinal Chemistry (University of Bonn) underpinned his mission to transform preventive healthcare through scientifically formulated vitamins and minerals. At a time when supplementation was often dismissed as unnecessary, he founded Vitabiotics, UK (1971) and Meyer Organics, India (1982) to combine research-led innovation, pharmaceutical-grade quality manufacturing and clinical validation. He appointed his former mentor from King’s College London, the renowned Professor Arnold Beckett OBE, as Vitabiotics’ first Chairman (see picture).  Professor Lalvani’s entrepreneurial talent drove innovation across the whole product development process, from patented formulations to unique brand names, product design and marketing. Now in his 95th year, his many accolades include Ernst & Young Master Entrepreneur of the Year (2008), Honorary Professorship of the University of Franche-Comte, France (2014), and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of India (2025), as well as Vitabiotics’ winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise on four occasions. Having pioneered the new paradigm of nutraceutical therapy, Professor Lalvani poignantly observes that “while the last century was the century of antibiotics, this is the century of vitamins”.

About Professor Tej Lalvani

Tej Lalvani has served as Chief Executive Officer of Vitabiotics for the last decade, having worked within the family business for more than 30 years, including previously as Chief Operating Officer. Under his leadership, Vitabiotics has rapidly scaled its position as the leading VMS player in the UK and on a global scale.

Outside of Vitabiotics, Tej Lalvani is widely recognised as an entrepreneur and investor, having appeared for five seasons as a Dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den. He has received multiple business and entrepreneurship awards, holds an Honorary Doctorate and Visiting Professorship for entrepreneurship and business from the University of Westminster, and was recently inducted into the Great British Entrepreneur Awards Hall of Fame.

Notes to Editors: 
*Nielsen GB ScanTrack Value and Unit Sales 52 w/e 4th October 2025
**Certain group entities operating in jurisdictions outside the scope of this transaction will continue to trade under the existing beneficial ownership structure and are not part of the acquisition.

Media Contacts

 Europe

 Jason Lobo

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Street Group secures a strategic growth investment from Hg, at a valuation of more than £200m, to accelerate its AI-led product vision for UK estate and letting agents

HG Capital

Manchester, UK – 22nd July 2026 – Street Group (“Street”), a leading provider of vertical software and AI to the UK residential property sector, today announced a strategic growth investment from Hg, the leading investor in European and transatlantic software and services businesses, valuing the company at more than £200m.

Founded and led by siblings and co-CEOs Tom and Heather Staff, and headquartered in Manchester, Street has built an integrated operating system for estate and letting agents. This spans its core CRM (Street.co.uk), its prospecting and lead-generation platform, Spectre, and a growing suite of AI-native products including Cortex, which allows customers to build and orchestrate their own AI agents.

Today, the business serves thousands of estate and letting agency branches across the UK and has established itself as one of the fastest-growing and most innovative players in UK PropTech.

Tom and Heather remain majority controlling shareholders and will continue to lead the business. Hg will make a strategic growth investment, enabling the founding team to accelerate product innovation, deepen Street’s AI capabilities and continue to delight its customers; supporting the company’s ambition to become the category-defining software and AI platform for UK estate and letting agents.

Heather and Tom Staff, co-CEOs and co-founders of Street Group, said: “We built Street to fundamentally change how estate and letting agents work, and AI is central to that mission. In Hg we have found a partner who shares our long-term ambition, our product focus, and brings genuine depth of experience and operational expertise in scaling software and AI businesses. This partnership allows us to invest even more in our products, our technology and our people, while staying true to the culture and obsessive customer focus that have defined Street from the start.”

Louis Kinsella, Partner, Hg, said: “Street is exactly the kind of business we love to back. It’s a category leader with a technical edge, loved by its customers, and is deeply embedded in their daily workflows. Heather and Tom are an exceptional founding team who have built something rare, combining genuine product innovation with accelerating growth, as the industry moves towards them and away from legacy solutions. We are excited to support the next phase of their journey.”

Conor Stewart, Principal, Hg, said: “Tom and Heather have built a fantastic business. The depth and ambition of its AI capabilities and its culture of innovation were clear to see as we got to know the business, and we were deeply impressed by the strength of Street’s technology and product leadership. We see a significant opportunity to build on that foundation, leveraging Hg’s capabilities to help Street accelerate its product development to bring even more value to customers.”

Street Group was previously backed by Manchester-based PXN Group, a venture capital firm known for backing high-growth Northern businesses.

Street Group was advised by Alvarez and Marsal. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

For further information, please contact:

Street Group:

Dave Smithbury, dave.smithbury@street.co.uk

Hg:

Tom Eckersley, tom.eckersley@hgcapital.com

Sam Ferris, sam.ferris@hgcapital.com

About Street Group

Headquartered in Manchester, Street Group builds software that powers the UK residential property market. Founded in 2015, its products include the Street.co.uk CRM for estate and letting agents, the Spectre prospecting platform, and a growing suite of AI-native tools designed to help agents win more business and work more efficiently. With a growing team of more than 200 employees, the company is a repeat winner of the industry’s most respected awards, including Best Overall Supplier at the EA Masters.

About Hg

Hg is an investor in European and transatlantic technology and services businesses. We are an AI leader in private equity, helping to build sector-leading enterprises that supply critical applications or workflow services to deliver intelligent automation for their customers.

We take an active approach to value creation, combining deep end-market knowledge with world class operational resources to support entrepreneurial leaders looking to scale and drive AI transformation.

With a vast European network and strong presence across North America, Hg has over $110 billion in assets under management and more than 400 employees. Our portfolio spans around 60 businesses worth over $190 billion in aggregate enterprise value, employing more than 140,000 people and consistently growing revenues at more than 16% annually.

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EQT enters global partnership with Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team

eqt

EQT and the Emirates GBR sailing team form a multi-year partnership spanning the global SailGP championship calendar through to 2030, featuring prominent branding on the team’s F50 race boat and premium hospitality engagement SailGP is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports championships, combining advanced technology with a relentless focus on performance, which closely aligns with EQT’s philosophy of continuous betterment As private markets become more accessible to individual investors, building brand awareness with audiences beyond EQT’s traditional institutional base is becoming increasingly important – the Emirates GBR partnership aims to help advance this strategic priority

SailGP is a global racing championship featuring national teams competing in F50 catamarans at races across EMEA, the Americas and Asia Pacific. Since launching in 2018, SailGP is one of the fastest-growing sports championships globally with a 12x audience increase(1).

As part of the partnership with the Emirates GBR, EQT becomes the sailing team’s official private markets partner across all global SailGP championship events through 2030. The partnership includes prominent branding on the Emirates GBR F50 catamaran, alongside access to premium hospitality and stakeholder engagement opportunities.

The partnership coincides with EQT’s refreshed global brand platform, ‘Better Never Ends’ – a philosophy of continuous improvement that mirrors Emirates GBR SailGP Team’s relentless focus on precision and performance.

Peter Beske Nielsen, Head of Global Wealth Solutions, at EQT said: “We believe that an ever-larger share of value creation in the global economy is happening in private markets, and individual investors want access to that opportunity. As we continue to broaden EQT’s investor base, building brand awareness of our firm is a strategic priority. SailGP – also known as the ‘F1 on water’ offers a truly global platform that reaches audiences across our key markets. We are proud to partner with Emirates GBR, a team that shares EQT’s commitment to continuous improvement.”

Steve Nutbeam, CMO at EQT said: “At EQT, we believe that better never ends. It’s a mindset that shapes how we invest, how we build businesses, and how we continue to evolve as a firm. Emirates GBR shares that same mindset, making this a natural partnership as we continue to build the EQT brand and deepen our connection with audiences around the world.”

Sir Ben Ainslie, CEO and Team Principal of Emirates GBR SailGP Team, said: “We’re delighted to welcome EQT to the Emirates GBR SailGP Team. At the heart of both our organisations is a drive to keep getting better through innovation, performance and teamwork. That reflects EQT’s ‘Better Never Ends’ philosophy and perfectly captures what it takes to succeed in SailGP, where marginal gains, constant innovation and performing under pressure make all the difference. We’re proud to partner with an organisation that shares that mindset, and we look forward to working together to create value both on and off the water as we compete on the global stage.”

Read more here.

(1) SailGP, 2026

Contact

EQT Press Office

press@eqtpartners.com

About EQT

EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization focused on active ownership strategies. With a Nordic heritage and a global mindset, EQT has a track record of more than three decades of developing companies across multiple geographies, sectors and strategies. EQT has investment strategies covering all phases of a business’ development, from start-up to maturity. EQT has €‌​​270​‌ billion in total assets under management (€141​‌ billion in fee-generating assets under management) as of 31 December 2025, within two business segments – Private Capital and Real Assets.

With its roots in the Wallenberg family’s entrepreneurial mindset and philosophy of long-term ownership, EQT is guided by a set of strong values and a distinct corporate culture. EQT manages and advises funds and vehicles that invest across the world with the mission to future-proof companies, generate attractive returns and make a positive impact with everything EQT does.

The EQT AB Group comprises EQT AB (publ) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, which include general partners and fund managers of EQT funds as well as entities advising EQT funds. EQT has offices in more than 25 countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas and has more than 1,900 employees.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com
Follow EQT on LinkedIn, X, YouTube and Instagram

About Emirates GBR

The Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team was a formidable force both on and off the water in the 2025 Season, becoming the first ever team to complete the treble – winning the Season Championship, SailGP’s environmental and social-focused Impact League and topping the season leaderboard on points. Emirates GBR is led by the most successful Olympic sailor of all-time, Sir Ben Ainslie, as CEO. The team’s F50 is driven by Olympic gold medallist, former Moth World Champion and America’s Cup Helm, Dylan Fletcher MBE. The crew alongside him features sailing’s top talent, including Olympic gold medallists Hannah Mills OBE, Stuart Bithell MBE and Ellie Aldridge MBE, as well as America’s Cup athletes Neil Hunter, Nick Hutton, Luke Parkinson and Ben Cornish. Kai Hockley, a 20-year-old from Tottenham, London, completes the squad as a development sailor who is part of the team’s Athena Pathway programme.

Visit emiratesgbrsailgp.com to find out more

CONTACT // sjenkins@emiratesgbrsailgp.com

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Carlyle Provides Financing to Support Francisco Partners’ Acquisition of Blackline Safety

Carlyle

NEW YORK, NY and CALGARY, Alberta – July 22, 2026 – Global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) today announced that its Global Credit platform has provided financing to support Francisco Partners’ take-private acquisition of Blackline Safety Corp. (“Blackline”), a provider of connected safety technology for industrial workforces. Carlyle served as Administrative Agent and Lead Arranger for the transaction.

Headquartered in Calgary, Blackline provides connected wearable devices, personal and area gas detection, cloud-connected software and data analytics that help organizations protect workers and respond to safety risks across industrial environments.

“We are pleased to support Francisco Partners in its acquisition of Blackline Safety,” said Ari Mazo, Managing Director, Direct Lending at Carlyle. “This financing reflects Carlyle’s ability to provide scaled, tailored capital solutions in support of experienced sponsors and their portfolio companies.”

This investment is being led by Carlyle’s Direct Lending team within its Global Credit platform. The strategy pursues investments in privately negotiated debt and capital solutions by partnering with sponsors and family or entrepreneur-owned companies. Carlyle’s Global Credit platform has $209 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2026.

About Carlyle

Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Carlyle AlpInvest. With $475 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2026, Carlyle’s purpose is to connect people, ideas, and capital to fuel growth for companies and performance for investors. Carlyle employs more than 2,500 people in 28 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.

About Blackline Safety

Blackline Safety is a connected safety technology company that provides wearable devices, personal and area gas detection, cloud-connected software and data analytics for organizations operating in industrial environments. The Company’s solutions are designed to support worker protection, incident response and operational visibility. Further information is available at www.blacklinesafety.com.

About Francisco Partners

Francisco Partners is a leading global investment firm that specializes in partnering with technology and technology-enabled businesses. Since its launch over 25 years ago, Francisco Partners has invested in over 500 technology companies, making it one of the most active and longstanding investors in the technology industry. With over $75 billion in capital raised to date, the firm invests in opportunities where its deep sectoral knowledge and operational expertise can help companies realize their full potential. For more information on Francisco Partners, please visit franciscopartners.com.

 

Media Contacts

Prosek for Carlyle

Ben Howard

Bhoward@prosek.com

914-552-4281

Blackline Safety Corp.

Christine Gillies, Chief Product & Marketing Officer

cgillies@blacklinesafety.com

+1-403-629 9434

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Bain Capital Acquires SupplyOn, a Leading European Supply Chain Network for Complex Manufacturing

BainCapital

LONDON – July 20, 2026 – Bain Capital, a global private investment firm, today announced that it has agreed to acquire SupplyOn, a supply chain collaboration platform serving the automotive, aerospace and defense, and other advanced manufacturing sectors across Europe, from its shareholders AUMOVIO, Bosch, Schaeffler, and ZF.

SupplyOn operates a technology platform connecting more than 200 large manufacturers and tier-1 suppliers with 140,000+ suppliers globally. The platform helps manufacturers and suppliers collaborate across the entire supply chain and procurement lifecycle – from sourcing and purchasing, through quality management, logistics, invoicing, and ESG compliance – on a single, integrated platform. SupplyOn was founded in 2000 and has since evolved into a market-leading platform serving the broader European manufacturing ecosystem.

Bain Capital will work closely with SupplyOn’s management team to support the company’s next phase of growth. The investment will strengthen product investment, including bringing new AI capabilities into the platform to drive customer outcomes. There will also be increased focus on sales and marketing to accelerate customer adoption across manufacturers and the defense sectors where SupplyOn has a developing footprint today.

The investment, made by Bain Capital’s Tech Opportunities business in Europe, reflects the firm’s deep experience investing in European technology and industrials businesses, combined with the firm’s long-standing expertise in aerospace and defense. European supply chain digitalization remains significantly underpenetrated, particularly in complex manufacturing where supply chain coordination is critical to production operations amidst growing supply chain complexity. Bain Capital is committed to maintaining SupplyOn’s European operational footprint, data residency, and governance structure, ensuring continuity for customers who rely on the platform’s sovereignty and compliance standards. SupplyOn’s product quality, established customer base, and network reach position the company to capitalize on this opportunity.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“SupplyOn represents a rare combination of product quality, network strength, high customer advocacy and market leadership in supply chain coordination across Europe,” said James Stevens, a Partner on Bain Capital’s Tech Opportunities team. “The company has built a deeply embedded platform that customers rely on for day-to-day operations. We see real runway to expand into adjacent sectors and invest in product capabilities that matter to manufacturers and suppliers alike.”

“SupplyOn builds on our long-standing footprint in Europe and Germany specifically. Through our industrials portfolio we are customers of SupplyOn and understand the critical role it plays. We have long-standing relationships with the shareholders of SupplyOn and look forward to continuing to support their businesses into the future,” said Dr. Michael Siefke, a Partner and Chair of Europe Private Equity at Bain Capital.

“We are pleased to partner with Bain Capital, which shares our long-term vision for SupplyOn as a strategic asset in the supply chain ecosystem across Europe,” said Markus Quicken, CEO of SupplyOn. “This partnership will enable us to accelerate our product roadmap, expand our market reach, and build on the strong foundation our shareholders have created.”

ENDS

About Bain Capital
Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is one of the world’s leading private investment firms. We are committed to creating lasting impact for our investors, portfolio companies, and the communities in which we live. As a private partnership, we lead with conviction and a culture of collaboration, advantages that enable us to innovate investment approaches, unlock opportunities, and create exceptional outcomes. Our global platform invests across five focus areas: Private Equity, Growth & Venture, Capital Solutions, Credit & Capital Markets, and Real Assets. We have 24 offices on four continents, more than 2,000 employees, and approximately $225 billion in assets under management. To learn more, visit www.baincapital.com. Follow @BainCapital on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

About SupplyOn
SupplyOn is a leading cloud-based supply chain collaboration platform connecting manufacturers with their global business partners. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Hallbergmoos near Munich, SupplyOn’s network connects over 140,000 companies worldwide across automotive, aerospace, railway, and other manufacturing industries. The platform enables structured digital collaboration across purchasing, sourcing, quality management, logistics, and finance—helping manufacturers strengthen collaboration, transparency, and execution across complex, multi-tier supply chains.

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CVC DIF to acquire a majority stake in EcoEridania

CVC|DIF

CVC DIF to acquire a majority stake in leading Italian integrated waste management operator Eco Eridania S.p.A. (“EcoEridania”)

  • EcoEridania is Italy’s leading fully integrated medical waste management operator and one of the country’s largest and growing industrial waste management platforms
  • With this investment, CVC DIF will support EcoEridania’s next phase of growth, further strengthening its leading position in the Italian industrial waste management sector and by pursuing selected organic and inorganic growth opportunities
  • The transaction marks CVC DIF’s first investment in Italy since the opening of its Milan office

CVC DIF, the infrastructure division of the leading global private equity manager CVC, has agreed to acquire a majority stake in EcoEridania. The investment will be made through DIF Infrastructure VIII and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary conditions.

Founded in 1988 in Genoa, EcoEridania is Italy’s leading fully vertically integrated medical waste platform and one of the largest diversified industrial waste management operators in the country. EcoEridania provides end-to-end waste collection, transportation, storage, treatment, recovery and disposal services to healthcare institutions and industrial customers nationwide. In 2025, the Group served around 27,000 clients through a nationwide network of 22 treatment and disposal facilities, with around 1,600 vehicles and managed around 1.3 million tons of waste.

As part of the transaction, Andrea Giustini, founder and CEO of EcoEridania, will increase his significant minority stake in the business, underscoring his continued commitment to the company’s long-term growth strategy and ensuring strong alignment with CVC DIF. With this investment, CVC DIF will partner with EcoEridania’s management team to support the company’s continued growth, leveraging its expertise to further enhance operational capabilities, strengthen its nationwide platform and pursue strategic expansion opportunities in key waste management segments.

The transaction involved the indirect disposal of a 75% interest in EcoEridania by iCON Infrastructure Operations (UK) Limited, an investment company affiliated with iCON Infrastructure LLP (“iCON”).

Tom Goossens, Co-Head of DIF Infra Funds, commented: “EcoEridania is a clear leader in the Italian medical waste management sector, and this investment reflects our conviction in the long-term value of essential infrastructure. We are equally positive about EcoEridania’s fast-growing industrial waste platform, which broadens the company’s activities and offers meaningful further growth potential. We are delighted to partner with Andrea Giustini and the management team to support the company’s continued growth as it further strengthens its nationwide platform. This transaction marks our first investment in Italy since opening our Milan office in 2024 and reflects our strong commitment to backing high-quality infrastructure businesses across the country.”

Quotes

Eco Eridania is a clear leader in the Italian medical waste management sector, and this investment reflects our conviction in the long-term value of essential infrastructure.

Tom GoossensCo-Head of DIF Infra Funds

Roberta Battaglia, Head of CVC DIF Italy, commented: “Italy is a strategic market for CVC DIF, and EcoEridania is exactly the type of high-quality, essential infrastructure business that we set out to invest in when we opened our Milan office. We have been impressed by the Company’s nationwide footprint, integrated operating model and strong track record. Building on these foundations, we are excited to work alongside Andrea Giustini and the management team to support the next stage of EcoEridania’s growth.”

Andrea Giustini, founder and CEO of EcoEridania, commented: “With the signing of this agreement, a new chapter begins for EcoEridania. We are delighted to be partnering with CVC DIF, which shares our long-term vision and will enable us to accelerate the Group’s growth and international expansion. Our objective remains unchanged: to continue investing, innovating and strengthening our presence in Italy, while pursuing new opportunities in international markets. I would also like to sincerely thank everyone at EcoEridania: the value of our Company is built on their daily commitment. Together, we have achieved these results, and together, we will continue to reach new milestones. I would also like to thank iCON for believing in our capabilities, vision and initiatives over the past eight years, and for supporting us throughout this growth journey with expertise and trust.”

Ivana Semeraro, Partner of iCON, commented: “We have been delighted with our partnership with Andrea Giustini since our investment in EcoEridania more than eight years ago, during which the company has grown and diversified its business substantially. With the support of CVC DIF, the company is well positioned for future growth under Andrea Giustini’s continued strong leadership and the dedicated management team.”

CVC DIF was assisted by Citi and Jefferies as financial advisers, and by Clifford Chance as legal adviser.

iCON Infrastructure Operations (UK) Limited was advised by JP Morgan as financial adviser and by Chiomenti as legal adviser.

Andrea Giustini (Roccaforte S.r.l.) was assisted by Lazard as sole financial adviser, and by Hogan Lovells Cadwalader as legal adviser.

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EQT Consortium Raises Tender Offer Price for Kakaku.com to JPY 3,450 Per Share

eqt

EQT

  • Increased tender offer price exceeds the JPY 3,384 price in the competing proposal and aims to reduce uncertainty and facilitate the timely completion of the transaction
  • Amended tender offer price reflects the Consortium’s continued commitment to supporting Kakaku.com’s long-term growth and development
  • The Consortium has already obtained all necessary regulatory clearances required, further underscoring the certainty of the transaction for the Company and its shareholders.

EQT today announced that Kamgras 1 K.K. (the “Offeror”), a member of the consortium led by BPEA Private Equity Fund IX (“BPEA IX” or “EQT”) and Digital Garage, Inc. (“Digital Garage”, and together with EQT, the “Consortium”), has decided to amend the terms and conditions of its ongoing tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) for the common shares of Kakaku.com, Inc. (“Kakaku.com” or the “Company”; TSE: 2371), including raising the tender offer price from JPY 3,000 per share to JPY 3,450 per share (the “Revised Tender Offer Price”).

The Revised Tender Offer Price exceeds the JPY 3,384 per share price contained in the competing proposal announced on July 1, 2026.

The original tender offer price of JPY 3,000 per share represented a compelling offer for shareholders and reflected Kakaku.com’s intrinsic value and included a reasonable premium over Kakaku.com’s unaffected market share price prior to the publication of speculative media reports regarding the Tender Offer. Following developments in the process and further careful consideration, the Consortium decided to increase the tender offer price in order to further enhance execution certainty and reflect its continued conviction in the Company’s long-term potential. 

The Revised Tender Offer Price is intended to facilitate the timely completion of the transaction and enable Kakaku.com to focus on long-term growth and value creation. The Consortium has already obtained all necessary regulatory clearances required, further underscoring the certainty of the transaction for the Company and its shareholders. In contrast, the competing proposal contemplates a tender offer only commencing in September 2026 at the earliest and remains subject to various conditions, including regulatory approvals. 

Tetsuro Onitsuka, Partner in the EQT Private Capital Asia team, said: “Our proposal provides Kakaku.com shareholders with an attractive combination of value, certainty and timing. By combining EQT’s global digital and AI expertise with Kakaku’s strong brands and data assets, we believe Kakaku can accelerate platform development and pursue long-term value creation. We remain excited about Kakaku.com’s long-term potential and look forward to working alongside management and Digital Garage to support the Company’s next phase of growth and value creation.”

EQT brings long-term capital and global experience supporting digital and platform businesses. It has a track record of partnering with leading digital marketplace and classified businesses, including PropertyGuru, idealista and Casa.it, and working with management teams to support platform development, operational improvement and sustainable long-term growth. This experience, combined with Kakaku.com’s strong brands and data assets, would position it to support the continued development of the Company’s platforms and its next phase of growth.

Japan remains a strategically important market for EQT. Since establishing its Tokyo office in 2006, EQT has steadily expanded its presence and activity in the market, including through recent take-private transactions involving Fujitec, CareNet and Mamezo. This commitment is supported by the scale of EQT’s broader Asia Pacific platform. In April 2026, EQT closed BPEA IX with USD 15.6 billion in total commitments, making it Asia Pacific’s largest private equity fund to date. Together, EQT’s longstanding local presence, regional scale and global capabilities position it to continue partnering with leading Japanese companies to achieve their long-term growth ambitions.

For details regarding the amendment, please refer to the announcement issued by the Offeror today titled “Notice Regarding Amendment to the Terms and Conditions of the Tender Offer for Share Certificates, Etc. of Kakaku.com, Inc. (Securities Code: 2371)”.

The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, and may not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or solicitation. Any offer or solicitation in respect of BPEA IX will be made only through a confidential private placement memorandum and related documents which will be furnished to qualified investors on a confidential basis in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The information contained herein is not for publication or distribution to persons in the United States of America. Any securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration thereunder or pursuant to an available exemption therefrom. Any offering of securities to be made in the United States would have to be made by means of an offering document obtainable from the issuer or its agents and would contain detailed information about the issuer and its management, as well as financial statements. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration.

Regulations on Solicitation

This press release is intended to provide information relating to the Tender Offer to the public and has not been prepared for the purpose of soliciting the sale of shares. If shareholders wish to sell their shares, they should first carefully read the Tender Offer Explanation Statement concerning the Tender Offer and make their decision at their own discretion. This press release does not constitute, or form a part of, an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities, and neither this press release (in whole or in part) nor its distribution will form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, an agreement related to the Tender Offer.

US Regulations

The Tender Offer will be conducted in accordance with the procedures and information disclosure standards provided in Japanese law, and those procedures and standards are not necessarily the same as the procedures and information disclosure standards applicable in the United States. In particular, Section 13(e) or Section 14(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended, the “Securities Exchange Act”) and the rules promulgated thereunder do not apply to the Tender Offer, and the Tender Offer does not conform to the procedures or standards therein. All financial information included or mentioned in this press release and the documents referenced herein is not based on U.S. accounting standards, and such accounting standards may not be equivalent to or comparable with financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. accounting standards. Because the tender offeror is a corporation established outside the United States and all or some of its directors and officers are not residents of the United States, it may be difficult to exercise rights or make claims against them that can be asserted based on U.S. securities-related laws. In addition, it may not be possible to initiate legal proceedings against a non-U.S. corporation and its officers in a non-U.S. court on the grounds of violation of U.S. securities laws. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that a non-U.S. corporation and its affiliates will be subject to the jurisdiction of a U.S. court.

The respective financial advisors of the tender offeror, the Company, Digital Garage, Inc. and KDDI Corporation, the tender offer agent, and their respective affiliates may, in the ordinary course of their business, to the extent permitted by the financial instruments exchange-related laws and regulations of Japan and other applicable laws and regulations, and in accordance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5(b) under the Securities Exchange Act, purchase, or engage in activities directed at purchasing, shares of the Company for their own account or for the account of their clients, either prior to commencement of the Tender Offer or during the Tender Offer Period, outside the Tender Offer. If information concerning any such purchase is disclosed in Japan, disclosure will be made in English on the website of the person making such purchase (or in another manner).

Unless otherwise specified, all procedures relating to the Tender Offer will be conducted in the Japanese language. While some or all documents related to the Tender Offer may be prepared in English, the Japanese-language documents will prevail in the event of any discrepancies between the English and Japanese documents.

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. Known or unknown risks, uncertainties, or other such factors could lead to outcomes that may differ markedly from the projections and other information explicitly or implicitly indicated in such forward-looking statements. Neither the tender offeror nor its affiliates guarantees that the projections and other information explicitly or implicitly indicated in such forward-looking statements will materialize. The forward-looking statements in this press release were prepared based on information in the possession of the tender offeror as of the date of this press release, and unless required by laws or regulations or the rules of a financial instruments exchange, neither the tender offeror, the Company, nor any of their respective affiliates will be obligated to change or revise such statements to reflect any future events or circumstances.

Other National Regulations

The release, issue or distribution of this press release may be subject to legal restrictions in certain countries or regions. In such cases, please be aware of and comply with any such restrictions. The release, issue or distribution of this press release does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to purchase or sell share certificates in connection with the Tender Offer and is to be deemed solely as the distribution of materials for informational purposes.

 

Contact:
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com

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About EQT

EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization focused on active ownership strategies. With a Nordic heritage and a global mindset, EQT has a track record of more than three decades of developing companies across multiple geographies, sectors and strategies. EQT has investment strategies covering all phases of a business’ development, from start-up to maturity. EQT has €‌​​291​‌ billion in total assets under management (€‌​​‌155​‌ billion in fee-generating assets under management) as of 30 June 2026, within three business segments – Private Capital, Infrastructure and Real Estate. 

More info: www.eqtgroup.com
Follow EQT on LinkedIn, X, YouTube and Instagram

 

About Digital Garage

Digital Garage, Inc. is the leading payment service provider in Japan. With the corporate purpose of “Designing ‘New Context’ for a sustainable society with technology,” Digital Garage operates payment business services for various comprehensive payment platforms in Japan. Digital Garage also runs a marketing business providing one-stop solutions in both the digital and real worlds, as well as a startup investment and development business for approaching promising startups and technologies in Japan and overseas. Digital Garage is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market (TSE Prime: 4819). 

For more on Digital Garage, visit garage.co.jp/e

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VERIAN Unternehmerkapital acquires coin4 Solutions from IK Partners

IK Partners

VERIAN Unternehmerkapital, alongside its co-investors, is pleased to announce it has completed the acquisition of coin4 Solutions (“coin4” or “the Group”), a leading German receivables management platform, from IK Partners. Financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

coin4 is an industry-leading provider of technology-enabled receivables management solutions focused on recovering overdue receivables on behalf of its clients, primarily in the insurance, publishing and e-commerce sectors. With its AI-enabled and highly automated collection process, as well as its broad communication platform, the Group provides a trusted interface between its clients and their debtors and is renowned for its reliability, efficiency and customer-centric approach.

Andreas Stock, CEO of coin4, said: “We would like to thank IK Partners for their support and guidance during the past few years. In this period, the Group has developed into an even stronger business thanks to the hard work and dedication of our employees, combined with the implementation of AI-powered workflows across our already highly efficient platform. I am proud of the developments to date which has enabled coin4 to become a leading receivables management provider with a unique business model and digital-first approach. With this solid foundation in place, we look forward to the next chapter which will see us partner with the team at VERIAN.”

For further questions, please contact:

VERIAN Unternehmerkapital
info@verianinvest.com

IK Partners
vidya.verlkumar@ikpartners.com

About VERIAN

VERIAN, founded by Andreas Hausser and Felix Zawadzky, is an entrepreneurial long-term investment holding partnering with founders and owner-managed businesses across Europe. It invests its own capital alongside leading entrepreneurs, family offices and select co-investors, supporting successful mid-sized companies in accelerating sustainable growth and long-term value creation.

About IK Partners

IK Partners (“IK”) is a European private equity firm focused on investments in the Benelux, DACH, France, Nordics and the UK. Since 1989, IK has raised more than €20 billion of capital and invested in over 210 European companies. IK supports companies with strong underlying potential, partnering with management teams and investors to create robust, well-positioned businesses with excellent long-term prospects. For more information, visit ikpartners.com IK is an affiliate of Wendel. For more information, visit wendelgroup.com

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Ardian announces sale of GBA Group to Bridgepoint after successfully accelerating international growth

Ardian

 Organic expansion of laboratory capacities, international growth with existing key accounts, and accelerated buy-and-build with 19 strategic add-on acquisitions
• Internationalization of the business from the DACH region across Europe, Southeast Asia and the USA
• Broadening its service offering into the medical devices and cosmetics sectors, alongside new pharmaceutical market segments

Ardian, a global private investment firm, has signed an agreement to sell its majority stake in GBA Group (“GBA”), a Hamburg-based international life science and laboratory analytics provider, to Bridgepoint. Since investing in 2021, Ardian has supported the company very successfully on its organic and external growth path by entering new geographic markets and customer segments, thereby more than doubling the Group’s revenue.

Founded in 1989, GBA is an international life science service company with more than 3,500 employees and a wide range of analytical, logistical and specialist services in the areas of food, environment, building contaminants, drinking water, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, medical devices and cosmetics. GBA operates at around 100 locations across Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and other international markets. The majority of this international expansion has been delivered since 2021 with Ardian’s support.

GBA provides laboratory analysis and specialized clinical trial services, as well as consulting to private companies and public institutions in support of their research, product development, market development and consumer protection activities. With Ardian’s support, GBA has significantly expanded its pharmaceutical offering and entered the medical devices and cosmetics sectors, building on its established food and environmental analysis businesses.

Sustained investment in digitization, expanded business with major accounts, and the launch of technology- and AI-enabled services supported GBA’s exceptional organic revenue development. Ardian also backed extensive investment in domestic and international infrastructure — including additional laboratory space, automation and new specialized testing methods. GBA’s growth was further accelerated by a targeted buy-and-build strategy, which comprised 19 acquisitions in total.

“We are proud to have unlocked the significant potential of GBA over the past five years while fully implementing our value creation plan. We were supported by structural growth driven by increasing regulatory requirements, an active and targeted consolidation strategy, and the performance of the GBA management team, whom we thank for their excellent work and partnership in the past five years.” Gunnar Chrestin, Managing Director Buyout, Ardian

“The Testing, Inspection and Certification sector continues to benefit from powerful structural tailwinds, driven by increasingly complex regulation, accelerating product innovation and growing demand for independent scientific expertise. Together with management, we have strengthened GBA’s position at the forefront of these trends by expanding its technical capabilities, entering attractive new end markets and broadening its geographic reach.“ Edward Little, Head of Buyout UK & Managing Director, Ardian

“Together with Ardian, we have taken GBA to a new level, both in terms of our international presence and our service offering. Thanks to Ardian’s support we have been able to execute on our targeted buy-and-build strategy while at the same time growing organically in a sustainable and dynamic manner. For this, I would like to sincerely thank all GBA employees. We now look forward to partnering with Bridgepoint, whose strong sector expertise, local presence and global network make them an ideal partner to support the next phase of our growth strategy.” Steffen Walter, CEO, GBA Group
The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

 

List of participants

  • Ardian

    • M&A: Macquarie, Morgan Stanley
    • FDD: EY
    • Tax: Taxess
    • Commercial: LEK
    • Legal: Milbank

ABOUT ARDIAN

In a world of constant evolution, Ardian stands out for its ability to anticipate, adapt, and turn challenges into opportunities. As a global, diversified private markets firm with 22 offices and more than 350 investment professionals worldwide, we provide investment and customized solutions that reflect new economic dynamics and help our clients remain resilient in a changing world.
We deliver multi-local expertise and long-term performance for our investors and partners as well as shared value for the broader society. Since Ardian’s inception in 1996, our pioneering approach to diversification and our ability to offer tailor-made solutions at scale have remained the heart of our strategy.
Through commitment, knowledge and technology, we bring lasting value to our companies and contribute positively to the whole industry.
Ardian currently manages or advises $200bn for more than 1,920 clients worldwide across Private Equity, Real Assets, and Credit.
Ardian. Mastering change for lasting value.

ardian.com

ABOUT GBA GROUP

GBA Group is an international life science service company with over 3,500 employees and a wide range of analytical, logistical and specialist services in the fields of food, environment, drinking water, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, medical devices and cosmetics. The group stands for outstanding technical expertise, efficient processes and full focus on customer needs with regard to its activities in the fields of research, product development, market development and consumer protection. With its services, GBA Group directly and indirectly makes a sustainable contribution to health, the environment and society.

gba-group.com

Media Contacts

ARDIAN

HEADLAND

ardian@headlandconsultancy.com 

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