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Montagu agrees to sell Maincare

Montagu

Montagu, a leading European private equity firm, is pleased to announce that it has agreed to sell Maincare, a provider of software for French public hospitals and health authorities, to Docaposte, the digital arm of La Poste, the French postal service.

Maincare provides an end-to-end hospital information system offering in France, where it is a leader in electronic patient records as well as hospital administration, interoperability, and telemedicine solutions. Through its integrated software suite, it assists public hospitals, payers, and insurers to implement successful digital strategies for the benefit of patients.

Since Montagu acquired Maincare in 2018, it has worked with the business to respond to the rapidly changing needs of policymakers and hospitals, in particular in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Significant investments in R&D led to the development of new-generation electronic patient records as well as the modernisation of Maincare’s technology ensuring that products are interoperable, SaaS-ready, and at the forefront of innovation in terms of cyber-security.

Under Montagu’s ownership, Maincare’s historically acquired business lines were combined from an organisational and technology standpoint, introducing a shared vision and strategy to the business and driving efficiencies. Led by a strong and unified management team, the changes helped to establish a customer-centric culture which put the needs of medical personnel and patients at the centre of the organisation.

Montagu Partner Guillaume Jabalot said, “Maincare is a great example of Montagu’s strategy of partnering with leading companies offering critical products and services. We are proud of the success Maincare has achieved and we are certain that the company will continue to thrive under the ownership of Docaposte. We especially would like to thank the management team and all Maincare’s employees for their hard work and dedication and we wish them all the best on their future journey.”

Maincare is a great example of Montagu’s strategy of partnering with leading companies offering critical products and services.

Guillaume Jabalot, Partner, Montagu

François-Xavier Floren, CEO of Maincare, commented: “The partnership with Docaposte will allow us to address one of the major challenges of our market – the importance of offering customers long-term support with a trusted partner present in software, hosting and services. Over the last two years, with the support of Montagu, we successfully carried out a transformation plan aimed at improving one of the persistent challenges of the French hospital system by “Giving time back to the Caregivers”. The management team and all Maincare’s employees are confident that the partnership with Docaposte will bring further significant value to our clients and to the market.”

Over the last two years, with the support of Montagu, we successfully carried out a transformation plan aimed at improving one of the persistent challenges of the French hospital system by “Giving time back to the Caregivers”.

François-Xavier Floren, CEO, Maincare

The transaction remains subject to the approval of the French competition authority.

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Ratos company Speed Group wins the Stora Hållbarhetspriset sustainability award

Ratos

Speed Group named winner of the Stora Hållbarhetspriset award for 2022. The prize is awarded by Borås Näringsliv (the Borås local business association), the University of Borås, the City of Borås and Sparbanken Sjuhärad through its owner foundation.

Speed won the prize, with the following citation: “With a clear focus on the environment that is central to the customer dialogue, and with the largest rooftop photovoltaic system in the Nordics, this year’s winner is growing quickly. The 2022 Stora Hållbarhetspriset recipient has a goal of becoming carbon neutral by no later than 2025. Suppliers for this year’s prize-winner must meet requirements for more sustainable materials, energy solutions, transportation and work clothes. Through initiatives both large and small, the winner makes a difference and demonstrates that ecological, social and financial responsibility can go hand in hand. The winner of this year’s prize intends to support innovations related to the environment and contribute to a more inclusive local community where children and young people have a fair chance. Based on its long-term and goal-oriented sustainability agenda, the jury awards the Stora Hållbarhetspriset to Speed Group.

“Sustainability is a prerequisite for remaining an attractive employer and continuing to provide an attractive customer offering. Speed Group has integrated sustainability into its core operations in an exemplary manner. Speed Group is honoured to receive this award,” says Christian Johansson Gebauer, Chairman of the Board of Speed Group and President, Business Area Construction & Services, Ratos.

“It’s incredibly exciting to win a prestigious award like the Stora Hållbarhetspriset and validation that our focus on sustainability is making a difference. Sustainability permeates everything we do and it’s gratifying to see that employees in every department share this mindset. This distinction is a source of pride for Speed Group and will spur everyone to continue this important work,” says Jesper Andersson, CEO of Speed Group.

About the Stora Hållbarhetspriset sustainability award
The Stora Hållbarhetspriset was established in 2021 by Borås Näringsliv, the University of Borås, the City of Borås and Sparbanken Sjuhärad through its owner foundation to inspire and encourage sustainable development that generates growth.

About Speed Group
Speed offers sustainable, flexible and innovative solutions to complex logistics and staffing challenges. Sustainability permeates the entire business, and the aim is to be carbon neutral by 2025. Speed has its head office in Borås, Sweden, and logistics centres in Borås, Gothenburg and Stockholm covering a combined total of more than 220,000 square metres. The company has sales of just over SEK 1.2 billion and approximately 1,500 employees.

For further information, please contact:
Josefine Uppling, VP Communication, Ratos, +46 76 114 54 21

About Ratos
Ratos is a business group consisting of 16 companies divided into three business areas: Construction & Services, Consumer and Industry. In total 2021, the companies have approximately SEK 30 billion in net sales. Our business concept is to own and develop companies that are or can become market leaders. We have a distinct corporate culture and strategy – everything we do is based on our core values: Simplicity, Speed in execution and It’s All About People. We enable independent companies to excel by being part of something larger. People, leadership, culture and values are key focus areas.

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Waterland acquires underground infrastructure specialist Van Vulpen

Mentha

Van Vulpen, a specialist in underground infrastructure, has found a new owner in Waterland Private Equity. The majority interest of Mentha and the management’s shareholding will be fully transferred to Waterland, with the current management reinvesting.

Van Vulpen is one of the top contractors in the Netherlands focusing on underground infrastructure, particularly in regard to electricity, gas and water. The Gorinchem-based company specializes in horizontal directional drilling, which enables it to lay pipelines and cables underground over large distances with minimal impact on the environment. Van Vulpen is highly regarded for the quality it delivers, its process-based approach and its leading position in the field of sustainability. This is underlined by the duration of its partnerships and its healthy contract portfolio. In 2019, Mentha took a majority stake in the company to further professionalize its operations and facilitate growth. Waterland is now taking up the challenge of further shaping this successful process.

Growth and professionalization
Mentha has spent the last few years making Van Vulpen stronger as a company, and less dependent on a few key figures within the organization, while nurturing the knowledge and experience that was available. For example, internally developed software was converted to a low-code platform so that the knowledge of external experts can also be used for its maintenance and further development.

Ralph Peeters has been in the role of general manager for a year now. He has built on the strong foundation that was already in place when he arrived. Under Mentha’s care, sales have grown by more than 40 percent since the end of 2019.

Ralph Peeters, general director of Van Vulpen, comments: “When I took office at the beginning of 2022, I joined a dynamic company with plenty of promise for the future. Talented employees, long-term relationships with clients and partners, and the quality of the work provided ensure a healthy starting position for further growth. We are grateful to my predecessor and to Mentha for this development and look forward to continuing this growth trajectory together with Waterland.”

Gijs Botman, partner at Mentha, adds: “Van Vulpen and Mentha share a similar drive: collaboration, quality and focus on effective digitization and processes. In 2019 we were impressed by what Van Vulpen had achieved so far and saw growth potential, which we were able to realize in a short time together with its strong team. The collaboration is now coming to an end, but we are convinced that Van Vulpen is in good hands with Waterland to ensure further growth.”

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Altor above 10% of the share capital in FLSmidth A/S

We hereby announce that we, Altor Fund Manager AB (“Altor”), on January 19th 2023 have increased our holding of shares in FLSmidth A/S (“FLSmidth”) to 10.5% of the issued and outstanding share capital and voting rights of FLSmidth. The rationale behind Altor’s acquisition of shares is further explained in the press release posted in the morning of January 19th 2023.

Altor controls, through Altor Fund (No.1) AB and Altor Fund V (No. 2) AB, the subsidiary, NewCo December 2022 AS (“NewCo”), who is the direct holder of shares in FLSmidth.

For more information, please contact:

Tor Krusell, Head of Communications, tor.krusell@altor.com, +46 705 43 87 47

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3i-backed WilsonHCG acquires Personify

3I

3i Group plc (“3i”) today announces that WilsonHCG, an award-winning, global leader in talent solutions, has acquired Personify, a leading provider of recruitment process outsourcing (“RPO”) services to specialised end markets including life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and healthcare. The total purchase price was not disclosed, but as part of the transaction, 3i will invest c.$7m of additional capital alongside a significant reinvestment from Personify’s management.

Headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, Personify offers a turnkey talent solution that spans the entire talent acquisition life cycle, including services such as labour market analysis, candidate marketing, sourcing, interviewing, assessments, overall candidate management, and onboarding. The company focuses on higher-end, more specialised roles, often for hard-to-fill or high-demand positions in its core end markets.

Personify is a leader in its core markets and well regarded for its service quality, partnership mentality with clients and its flexible delivery model. Personify has consistently grown at rates that are above the broader RPO industry, and forecasts continued strong growth over the next few years, capitalising on many of the same favourable tailwinds that have benefitted WilsonHCG, including increasing adoption of outsourced talent acquisition solutions.

The acquisition provides WilsonHCG with further exposure to the attractive life sciences and healthcare markets, which represent key growth markets for both companies. Personify also provides additional capabilities to better serve existing customers and to expand the types of services that WilsonHCG can offer in the market. WilsonHCG’s global presence (with resources in 65 countries) and breadth of talent solutions will allow Personify to better serve its existing customers, including internationally, which is a key differentiator in today’s competitive talent environment.

Today’s acquisition is the third for WilsonHCG since 3i’s investment in February 2021 and follows the acquisition of Claro Analytics, a labour market intelligence platform, in February 2022, and Tracking Talent, an RPO headquartered in South Africa, in October 2022.

Ryan Carfley, President and CEO, Personify, said: “We are very pleased to be joining WilsonHCG. I have known John Wilson for many years, and there is a great cultural fit between our organisations. The partnership will enable us to scale our presence in our end markets and deliver globally for our existing clients.”

John Wilson, CEO, WilsonHCG, said: “Personify operates in attractive, growing areas in the RPO industry and its highly specialised capabilities will be an asset to WilsonHCG. We look forward to welcoming Personify and working closely with Ryan Carfley and his team to support Personify’s growth ambitions, especially as it pertains to delivering solutions internationally.”

Rahul Lulla, Partner, 3i, said: “WilsonHCG and Personify have strong alignment with complementary business models and customer-first mentalities. We look forward to supporting the teams as they continue to deliver great results for their existing customers and win new accounts.”

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AE Industrial Partners Adds Longtime Aviation and Manufacturing Leader Dev Rudra as Vice President, Portfolio Strategy and Optimization Group

Ae Industrial Partners

BOCA RATON, FL— January 11, 2023 – AE Industrial Partners, LP (“AEI” or the “Firm”), a U.S-based private equity firm specializing in aerospace, defense and government services, space, power and utility services, and specialty industrial markets, announced today that Dev Rudra, an aviation and manufacturing executive with decades of expertise, has joined the firm as a Vice President in AEI’s Portfolio Strategy and Optimization Group. In this role, Mr. Rudra will be working closely with the Firm’s operating partners to improve operational performance across the Firm’s portfolio companies. His appointment is effective immediately.

“We’re pleased to welcome Dev to our Portfolio Strategy and Optimization Group. His extensive operations experience in aviation and manufacturing will be instrumental in driving value across our portfolio, and will also boost the Firm’s commitment to instituting ESG best practices within our companies,” said Mike Greene, Managing Partner of AEI.

As a global leader with over 25 years of experience in aircraft systems, aircraft engine maintenance and manufacturing businesses in the U.S., Singapore and Taiwan, Mr. Rudra has led multiple operational turnarounds, lean transformations, start-ups, consolidations and expansions over his career. Before joining AEI, Mr. Rudra was Managing Director of GE Aviation’s Singapore engine part repair and manufacturing operation. Previously he served in various roles at United Technologies, most recently as Director of Worldwide Repair Strategic Operations. He started his aviation career with Pratt & Whitney, where he developed his expertise in lean manufacturing and supply chain operations. Mr. Rudra holds a BE from Delhi University, and an MSE and MBA from the University of Michigan.

“AEI’s differentiated focus and experience in its target markets has enabled the firm to build a strong, strategic portfolio of innovative companies in aviation, aerospace and defense,” said Mr. Rudra. “I look forward to working closely with the management teams atour portfolio companiesto help optimize business performance, while also positioning them to be ESG innovators in their respective industries.”

About AE Industrial Partners

AE Industrial Partners is a private equity firm specializing in aerospace, defense & government services, space, power & utility services, and specialty industrial markets. AE Industrial Partners invests in market-leading companies that can benefit from our deep industry knowledge, operating experience, and relationships throughout our target markets. AE Industrial Partners is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment and the ILPA Diversity in Action initiative. Learn more at www.aeroequity.com.

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KKR Commits to Invest an Additional $1.15 Billion in Aircraft Leasing with Altavair

KKR

NEW YORK & SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)– KKR, a leading global investment firm, and Altavair L.P., a leader in commercial aviation finance, today announced that KKR is making an additional $1.15 billion commitment to expand its global portfolio of leased commercial aircraft in partnership with Altavair. The investment will come from KKR’s credit and infrastructure funds.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230111005843/en/

KKR has deployed and committed $1.7 billion of capital into aircraft deals since forming a partnership with Altavair and acquiring an interest in the company in 2018. KKR, in partnership with Altavair, has acquired more than 90 commercial and freighter aircraft through a variety of transactions, including lessor trades, airline direct used and new delivery sale leasebacks, structured transactions and passenger-to-freight conversions and has successfully leased more than 75% of the portfolio to tier-one airlines and operators around the world.

“We are thrilled to deepen our footprint in aircraft leasing through this new commitment, which underscores the conviction that we have in this space and our confidence in Altavair as a partner,” said Dan Pietrzak, KKR Partner and Co-Head of Private Credit. “We look forward to growing our portfolio further to support the fleet needs of airlines and operators around the world.”

“Airlines are increasingly seeking greater liquidity and fleet flexibility, which is creating significant opportunities for high quality leasing teams with deep access to private capital,” said Brandon Freiman, KKR Partner and Head of North American Infrastructure. “We are proud to serve this growing need in partnership with Altavair.”

“Aircraft leasing continues to be a dynamic and growing market that offers compelling and differentiated opportunities for experienced investors,” said Steve Rimmer, CEO of Altavair. “The portfolio that we’ve created over the past several years further evidences the power of combining KKR’s quality capital and capabilities with Altavair’s deep technical and aircraft investing expertise and innovation. We greatly appreciate KKR’s ongoing trust in our platform and look forward to building further on this success in the years to come.”

KKR has invested approximately $8.3 billion of capital in the aviation sector since 2015. Investments include Altavair, AV AirFinance, Atlantic Aviation, KKR DVB Aviation Capital, K2 Aviation, Wheels Up, Global Jet Capital and Jet Edge, among others.

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 and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

About Altavair L.P.

Altavair L.P. is an asset manager focusing on the acquisition of new and used commercial aircraft for leasing to domestic and international passenger airlines and cargo operators. Since its inception in 2003, Altavair has completed over $10 billion in commercial aircraft lease transactions with over 60 airline customers in 28 countries representing over 200 individual Boeing and Airbus aircraft. Altavair maintains offices in Seattle, London, Dublin and Singapore. For more information, please visit www.altavair.com.

 

Media:
KKR
Julia Kosygina or Miles Radcliffe-Trenner
212-750-8300
media@kkr.com

Altavair
Timothy O’Hara
425-369-8062
timothy.ohara@altavair.com

Source: KKR

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Mentha invests in Amsterdam Data Collective to support international growth strategy

Mentha

Mentha enters into a partnership with Amsterdam Data Collective (ADC). The integrated data science consultancy is among the fastest growing companies in the Netherlands and will accelerate their international growth ambitions starting with the merger with DAMVAD Analytics.

Since 2017, the team at Amsterdam Data Collective have helped organisations become more data-driven, particularly within the financial, healthcare, and public sectors. ADC has since grown to more than 80 employees by focusing on sector specialisation and refining a collective company culture of people who share a common goal of making a positive impact with data science. The FD Gazellen Awards 2022 marked the success of ADC’s collective culture, ranking the company among the top 20 fastest growing companies in the Netherlands for two years in a row. Next to that, ADC received multiple Great Place to Work certifications based on employee surveys.

ADC’s international expansion strategy started in 2022 with the opening of an office in Copenhagen. As part of the partnership with Mentha, ADC is now able to accelerate its expansion plans in the Nordics by merging with DAMVAD Analytics, a data science consultancy based in Denmark and Sweden. The DAMVAD Analytics team consists of around 30 consultants and has a strong presence in pharmaceuticals, financial services, the public sector, and philanthropy.

“Following the opening of the Amsterdam Data Collective office in Copenhagen, the investment by Mentha provides ADC with the opportunity to accelerate growth in the Nordics and merge with DAMVAD Analytics. We look forward to take the next steps in our international growth story with Mentha and believe the added diversity and expertise of the enlarged ADC team will lead us to create better solutions with more impact”, says Rik van der Woerdt, Co-Founder and CEO of Amsterdam Data Collective.

With a team of more than 110 experts in data strategy, data engineering, data science and data visualisation, ADC is able to offer a complete Data-Driven Organisation proposition to the market. ADC aspires to become a leading data science agency on a European scale and, as part of the collective company culture, the broader employee base will be shareholders alongside Mentha in this growth journey.

Dirk Vriend, Investment Director at Mentha: “We value ADC for its collective culture and their drive to use data science to make a positive impact. Together with the enterprising team, we expect to continue ADC’s strong growth track by attracting and retaining talent, developing innovative integrated data science solutions and accelerating expansion through an international buy-and-build strategy.”

About Mentha

Headquartered in Amsterdam and founded in 2006, Mentha is an independent private equity firm active at the lower end of the mid-market. Mentha invests in established, mid-sized and profitable companies with clear opportunities for growth along multiple avenues, such as organic growth, expansion in new markets or through buy-and-build. The entrepreneurial team is a strong collective of investment professionals, with solid financial and operational business experience. Mentha likes to team up with entrepreneurs and enterprising management teams to jointly realise ambitious growth plans. With its companies, Mentha seeks an active approach that is based on true entrepreneurship, growth acceleration and transformation, and is spurred by the human factor and sustainability.

About Amsterdam Data Collective Amsterdam Data Collective (ADC) is an integrated data science agency. The European consultancy helps organisations become data driven through data strategy, data engineering, data science, and data visualisation. ADC perceives data as part of a bigger whole that includes people, management, cultures, processes, and technology to make data work for organisations. ADC believes their collective culture is the key to success, because people thrive in a well-connected group. For more information: https://amsterdamdatacollective.com

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Duck Creek Agrees to be Acquired by Vista Equity Partners for $2.6 Billion

Apax

Duck Creek Technologies (NASDAQ: DCT), the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of property and casualty (P&C) insurance, today announces it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Vista Equity Partners (“Vista”), a leading global investment firm focused exclusively on enterprise software, data and technology-enabled businesses, for $19.00 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $2.6 billion.

Under the terms of the agreement, Duck Creek shareholders will receive $19.00 per share in cash, which represents a 46% premium to Duck Creek’s closing stock price on January 6, 2023, the last full trading day prior to the transaction announcement, and a premium of approximately 64% over the volume weighted average price of Duck Creek’s stock for the 30 days ending January 6, 2023.

“This transaction is a testament to the value of the Duck Creek platform, the success of our strategy and the strength of our incredible team. Following a deliberate and thoughtful process, the Board approved this transaction which delivers a great outcome for Duck Creek’s shareholders, providing them a certain and substantial cash value at an attractive premium,” said Michael Jackowski, Chief Executive Officer of Duck Creek. “Duck Creek is proud to have pioneered cloud-based mission-critical systems for the P&C insurance industry to deliver a best-in-class customer experience. We are excited to enter the next chapter for Duck Creek in partnership with Vista Equity Partners to continue supporting P&C insurance carriers’ move to the cloud.”

“Duck Creek is playing an outsized role in accelerating cloud strategies and unlocking all the advantages they provide this crucial sector of today’s economy,” said Monti Saroya, Senior Managing Director and Co-Head of Vista’s Flagship Fund. “Duck Creek’s modern cloud architecture and demonstrated market traction position it to define the next generation of mission-critical technology for P&C insurance.”

“Vista has an established track record of partnering with leading enterprise software businesses within the insurance industry and related verticals,” said Jeff Wilson, Managing Director at Vista. “We are excited to work with the Duck Creek team as we look to build on their best-in-class platform and solutions, which serve many of the world’s leading P&C insurance carriers.”

Certain Terms, Approvals and Timing

Transaction negotiations were led by a Special Committee of the Duck Creek Board of Directors, composed entirely of independent and disinterested directors. Following the recommendation of the Special Committee, the Duck Creek Board of Directors approved the merger agreement with Vista Equity Partners.

The transaction is expected to close in the second calendar quarter of 2023, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including approval by Duck Creek’s stockholders and U.S. antitrust clearance. Upon completion of the transaction, Duck Creek’s common stock will no longer be publicly listed, and Duck Creek will become a privately held company. Vista Equity Partners intends to finance the transaction with fully committed equity financing that is not subject to any financing condition.

The agreement includes a “go-shop” period expiring at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on February 7, 2023, which allows Duck Creek’s board of directors and its advisors to actively initiate, solicit and consider alternative acquisition proposals from third parties. Duck Creek’s board of directors will have the right to terminate the merger agreement to enter into a superior proposal subject to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement. There can be no assurance that this “go-shop” will result in a superior proposal, and Duck Creek does not intend to disclose developments with respect to the solicitation process unless and until it determines such disclosure is appropriate or otherwise required.

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About Duck Creek Technologies

Duck Creek Technologies (NASDAQ: DCT) is the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of the property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance industry. We are the platform upon which modern insurance systems are built, enabling the industry to capitalize on the power of the cloud to run agile, intelligent, and evergreen operations. Authenticity, purpose, and transparency are core to Duck Creek, and we believe insurance should be there for individuals and businesses when, where, and how they need it most. Our market-leading solutions are available on a standalone basis or as a full suite, and all are available via Duck Creek OnDemand. Visit www.duckcreek.com to learn more. Follow Duck Creek on our social channels for the latest information – LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Carlyle Acquires a Majority Stake to Help Accelerate Business Growth in VLCC, India’s Leading Homegrown Skincare and Beauty Platform

Carlyle

Deal marks a strategic partnership with VLCC’s founders who will continue to hold a significant stake in the company

Mumbai, India, January 10, 2023 – Global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) today announced a strategic partnership with VLCC (the “Company”), through the acquisition of a majority stake in the Company. Equity for the transaction will come from funds managed and advised by entities affiliated with Carlyle Asia Partners. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1989 by Vandana and Mukesh Luthra, VLCC is a homegrown pioneer in India’s skincare, beauty and wellness market, with an integrated offering of branded skincare products and high-end specialized beauty and wellness services. VLCC has established itself as a well-known brand in India over the last three decades by scaling its range of branded skincare and beauty products across physical retail and digital channels, and expanding its network of clinics in tier-one and tier-two Indian cities. The Company is currently a market leader in India for facial kits and has an extensive product portfolio across skincare and sun care products.

VLCC also provides aesthetic dermal treatments and weight management services across a network of 210 retail clinics in 118 cities and 11 countries in South Asia, the Middle East and Africa. In addition, it operates 100 skill development institutes in India, making it one of the largest providers of vocational training in the beauty and wellness sector in the country.

The investment underscores Carlyle’s overall conviction in India’s long-term economic and domestic consumption growth, which the team believes is characterized by product premiumization and a shift in preference amongst the rising middle-class towards established brands.

Amit Jain, Managing Director and Co-Head, Carlyle India Advisors, said: “We are excited to invest in and support the growth of VLCC, a homegrown and trusted Indian brand with high brand salience. We plan to help VLCC accelerate growth through investments in brand building; product expansion; scaling its pan-India digital and e-commerce distribution channels; and expanding its local footprint of retail clinics. We look forward to working with VLCC’s founders as we seek to strengthen the management team and draw on Carlyle’s deep global consumer experience and network of senior advisors.”

Vandana Luthra, Founder of VLCC, said: “We believe VLCC is well-positioned to capture a larger share of the fast-growing skincare, beauty and wellness market in the countries we operate in. We are delighted to have found in Carlyle a partner who shares our vision and plans for taking VLCC to its next level of growth. Carlyle’s extensive global consumer sector experience, business partnership mindset, local market knowledge and high-caliber team make them the right partner to take the business to the next level. With the Carlyle partnership, we have every confidence in VLCC’s prospects in capturing the market opportunities ahead of us and look forward to continuing to deliver on our mission of transforming lives by making skincare, beauty and wellness accessible to our customers.”

Mukesh Luthra, Chairman of VLCC, said: “In our view, the investment by one of the world’s largest global investment firms – that has built a stellar reputation for creating long-term value for companies, shareholders, people and communities – is a reaffirmation of the strength of the VLCC brand that we have nurtured, built and grown over the last three decades.”

VLCC will be appointing Gurveen Singh and J. Suresh as Independent Directors to the Board. Ms. Singh retired as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Reckitt Benckiser and brings with her over 40 years of experience in talent development and HR solutions. Mr. Suresh, who recently retired as the Managing Director and CEO of Arvind Fashions Limited and had started his career with Hindustan Unilever, brings to the team over four decades of experience in the consumer and retail sector. Carlyle believes their combined experience and sector expertise helps strengthen the Board and will help provide strategic guidance for VLCC’s next phase of anticipated growth.

Carlyle’s global private equity funds have well-established experience investing in the consumer and retail sectors, as well as consumer-oriented businesses, including investments in Varmora, Grand Foods China (McDonald’s China franchisee), Golden Goose, A Twosome Place, TOKIWA Corporation, SBI Card, and Delhivery, among others. Globally, Carlyle has invested approximately US$25 billion of equity in over 135 deals in the consumer, media and retail sector, as of September 30, 2022.

Carlyle has invested more than US$5.5 billion of equity in over 40 transactions in India as of September 30, 2022.

KPMG India acted as the exclusive transaction advisor to VLCC and the founders.

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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 Global Investment Solutions. With $369 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2022, 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. Carlyle employs over 2,100 people in 29 offices across five continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on Twitter @OneCarlyle.

About VLCC 

Founded by Mrs. Vandana Luthra and Mr. Mukesh Luthra as a beauty and weight management services center in 1989, the VLCC group was incorporated in 1996 and is among the first multi-outlet corporate operations in the Skincare, Beauty & Wellness Industry in India. Since inception, the VLCC Group’s mission has been to transform lives by making Skincare, Beauty and Wellness accessible to women and men. In over 30 years of operation, the VLCC brand has become synonymous with Skincare and Beauty in Indian households. Today, VLCC believes it enjoys a high level of consumer trust and is widely recognized for its comprehensive portfolio of services and products. The VLCC Group’s operations currently span 310 locations in 139 cities and 11 countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand, the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Kenya, with a staff strength of over 3,000 skilled professionals, including medical doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists, cosmetologists, fitness experts and wellness counsellors.

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Carlyle
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E-mail: manibalan.manoharan@adfactorspr.com

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