Category Archives: News

Docaspost acquires Applicam, a major player in e-administration and e-money solutions

blackfincp

Today, Docapost, a subsidiary of Le Groupe La Poste specialised in assisting companies and administrations with their digital and mobile transformation process, announced its acquisition of Applicam, a company specialised in managing funding and subsidies, and in e-money solutions, previously held by Blackfin Capital Partners.
This operation sees Applicam boost its development by joining forces with a recognised industrial partner boasting complementary activities. It enables Docapost to consolidate its presence on the e-administration and e-money market – especially at an international level – thanks to Applicam’s very strong footing on both markets.

A strategic operation for Docapost
Modernising public action is a major topic for Docapost due to the fact that it boasts operational solutions to improve administration performance and management and to adapt formalities to new user requirements.
For Muriel Barnéoud, President of Docapost: “this acquisition fits squarely into Docapost’s investment drive to modernise public action, with dedicated operational solutions. This growth strategy aims to bolster our position as a major player at a national level as regards local authorities and at an international level with e-money solutions.”

Shifting the development of Applicam up a gear
“The acquisition of Applicam by Docapost is a real asset which will enable the company to shift its development up a gear, in particular, by capitalising on the business and technical expertise of the new shareholder. All management and operational teams are behind the move,” says Eric May, Managing Director of BlackFin Capital Partners.
“The acquisition by a player such as Docapost reflects the new dimension taken by APPLICAM over five years and its legitimacy on the market. Applicam teams are very happy to be joining a long-term shareholder who will enable us to further enhance our value proposition as regards our customers,” explains Jean-Michel Dupont, Managing Director of Applicam.

About Docapost
As a subsidiary of Le Groupe La Poste, Docapost assists companies with their digital and mobile transformation process. Combining collaborative platforms, industry expertise, digital and industrial capabilities, Docapost enables companies and administrations to optimise and digitise their business process and relations with customers, employees, suppliers and citizens. Docapost offers tailor-made and turnkey solutions combining consulting with the joint creation of innovative products and services and the operation of business and sectoral solutions and services. Docapost boasts 4,600 employees dotted across 450 sites in France and generated revenues of around €450m in 2015. Since Docapost also operates in numerous other countries – including United States, UK, Spain and Mexico – it offers cross-border solutions to its customers. Docapost’s products and services are audited and certified by independent organisations to ensure full reliability.

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Ardian acquires stake in Abvent

Paris, 11 May 2017
– Ardian, the independent private investment company, today announced itsacquisition of a minority stake in the Abvent Group, a leading publisher and distributor of software forarchitects.
Founded in 1985 by three French architects, Abvent is the leading French provider of image and design
software to architects. The Group has developed a proprietary offer combining 3D visualisation software
and project management solutions via BIM (Building Information Modelling). It is also the exclusive
distributor in France and French-speaking Switzerland of the industry standard design and project
management system for architects, ArchiCAD. Xavier Soule, CEO of Abvent, said: “Following the l
aunch of our BIM offer and the acquisition of Ka-Ra, asoftware publisher specialising in 3D visualisation,
we wish to continue this momentum alongside a partner that understands the dynamics of our market and our
software.”
Philippe Butty, co-founder, added: “For us, Ardian was the natural partner in light of its ability to provide
tactical support and its keen understanding of the strategic challenges we face.”Beyond using Ardian’s network and expertise in supporting growing companies, this partnership aims to help the Abvent management team achieve its goal of
increasing market share in the BIM sector. The Group is one of the few players in this growing mar
ket to have succeeded in developing an offer that is compatible with all existing operating systems.
Alexis Saada, Managing Director at Ardian Growth, added: “We are delighted to be entering into this
partnership with Abvent. Xavier and his team won us over with their agility and ambitious vision: we are
committed to providing them with the necessary means to achieve it.”
Bertrand Schapiro, Senior Investment Manager at Ardian Growth, added: “Abvent’s positioning enables
us to consider a targeted external growth strategy to strengthen its offer that is already unique in its market.”
ABOUT ABVENT
Founded in 1985 by French architects, Abvent is a group currently based in Paris, the leader in software
and services for architects and construction professionals (ARCHICAD, ClimaBIM, Rhino 3D, BIMoffice),
and a key player in the imaging segment (Twinmotion, Artlantis, iVIsit360, RenderIn).
Along with its expansion in France, and to support its international development, Abvent has opened
several subsidiaries (Switzerland, the US, Luxembourg, Hungary) and has a network of distributors in 80 countries.

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Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) through the funds Copenhagen Infrastructure II K/S (CI II) and Copenhagen Infrastructure III K/S (CI III) has acquired 3 offshore wind sites under development in Taiwan.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners

 

The three sites are all located off the Changhua coast in the Taiwan Strait and have a total capacity of up to 1,500MW. The three projects have been developed up to now by Fuhai Wind Farm Corporation.

The Government in Taiwan has set a target of 3,000 MW of offshore wind to be constructed by 2025 and decided that nuclear power will be phased out by 2025.

As part of the acquisition of the projects, CIP has entered into a MOU with the local company CSBC Corporation Taiwan regarding supply and installation services.

Further development of the sites will be undertaken by CIP in collaboration with local partner Taiwan Generations Corporation (TGC). The three projects are in the process of applying for the required environmental permits and are still subject to a final investment decision.

For any further information, please contact:
Kristina Negendahl Jessen, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, by phone: +45 70 70 51 51 or by e-mail:
cip@cip.dk. Webpage: www.cip.dk

About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners K/S (CIP) is a fund management company founded in 2012 by senior executives from the energy industry and PensionDanmark. CIP is owned and managed by the five partners, Jakob Baruël Poulsen, Rune Bro Róin, Torsten Lodberg Smed, Christian T. Skakkebæk and Christina Grumstrup Sørensen. All five partners have extensive experience within infrastructure investments and mergers & acquisitions. CIP currently manages the funds Copenhagen Infrastructure I K/S, CI Artemis K/S, Copenhagen Infrastructure II K/S and Copenhagen Infrastructure III K/S. Copenhagen Infrastructure II K/S has 19 Danish and international institutional investors: PensionDanmark, Lægernes Pension, PBU, JØP, DIP, Nordea, PFA, Nykredit, AP Pension, SEB Pension DK, SEB Pension SE, Lærernes Pension, Oslo Pensjonsforsikring, Villum Fonden, KLP, Townsend on behalf of a UK pension fund, Widex, LB Forsikring, and EIB (with the backing of the EU through EFSI).

CIP initiated the fundraising process for Copenhagen Infrastructure III K/S on March 16 and the fund has already been backed by a strong group of Anchor Investors, PensionDanmark (DK), KLP (Kommunal Landspensjonskasse, NO), Lægernes Pension (DK), JØP (Juristernes og Økonomernes Pernsionskasse, DK) and DIP (Danske civil- og akademiIngeniørers Pensionskasse, DK).

 

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Ratos divests Sophion Bioscience

Ratos

Ratos’s subsidiary Sophion Holding AB has entered into an agreement to divest all of its shares in Sophion Bioscience A/S to Sapphire Bioscience Holding ApS, a newly established company controlled by Thais Johansen, CEO of Sophion Bioscience A/S. The sale is not expected to generate any significant exit results for Ratos.

Sophion Bioscience previously formed one of two business areas in Ratos’s subsidiary Biolin Scientific, the second of which, Analytical Instruments, was divested in December 2016. Following the divestment of Analytical Instruments, Sophion Bioscience has been operated as an independent company in Ratos and recognised in other net assets in the Ratos Group. Sophion Bioscience is a Danish manufacturer in the area of Automated Patch Clamping (APC), and markets instruments, test plates and support services. Customers include most major pharmaceutical companies.

Given Thais Johansen’s position as CEO of Sophion Bioscience, the transfer of shares is covered by Chapter 16 of the Swedish Companies Act (so-called Leo provisions) and is thus conditional upon the approval of Ratos’s general meeting of shareholders. The purchase price for all shares in Sophion Bioscience is SEK 60m. The company currently has about 50 employees and annual sales of approximately SEK 100m. In recent years, the company has reported a declining earnings trend and operating EBITA amounted to approximately SEK -0.6m in 2016.

The divestment is not expected to generate any significant exit results for Ratos.

Notification of the Extraordinary General Meeting, scheduled to be held in June, will be published in accordance with the provisions of the Swedish Companies Act.

For further information, please contact:
Magnus Agervald, CEO Ratos, +46 8 700 17 00
Helene Gustafsson, Head of IR and Press Ratos, +46 8 700 17 98

– See more at: http://ratos.se/en/Press/Press-releases/2017/Ratos-AB-Ratos-divests-Sophion-Bioscience/#sthash.LRZ5sWTg.dpuf

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Successful Opening of CSA Energy Infrastructure Switzerland Investment Group

Credit Suisse

Zurich, May 10, 2017

The opening of the CSA Energy Infrastructure Switzerland investment group has attracted a great deal of interest from investors. Thanks to capital commitments amounting to CHF 600 mn, the total volume adds up to around CHF 1.2 bn.

After opening subscriptions for the third time, CSA Energy Infrastructure Switzerland, an investment group of the Credit Suisse Investment Foundation, reached its planned subscription volume of CHF 600 mn. The investment group, which was established in 2014 by the Credit Suisse Investment Foundation and is managed by the investment manager Credit Suisse Energy Infrastructure Partners, was opened to both new and existin investors in recent months. As a result, the total volume now amounts to around CHF1.2 bn. This makes CSA Energy Infrastructure Switzerland the largest infrastructure investment group investing exclusively in Switzerland. The capital committed is largely invested in the two main areas of energy and gas distribution as well as hydropower.

Following the latest opening, over 130 Swiss pension funds now invest in the investment group. The success of the investment concept is underlined by the fact that the target volume was heavily oversubscribed. Credit Suisse expects there to be further openings in the future.

The CSA Energy Infrastructure Switzerland investment group has an unlimited duration, which is ideal given the long-term investment period required for energy infrastructure installations. Investments focus on supply-critical energy infrastructure facilities. The investment group invests exclusively in Switzerland, witht least 75% of the portfolio being invested in existing facilities. Investments in new project developments account for no more than 25% of the investment portfolio.

Further information at www.credit-suisse.com/cseipInformation

Media Relations, telephone +41 844 33 88 44, media.relations@credit-suisse.com

 

Credit Suisse AG

Credit Suisse AG is one of the world’s leading financial services providers and is part of the Credit Suisse group of companies (referred tohere as “Credit Suisse”). As an integrated bank, Credit Suisse offers clients its combined expertise in the areas of private banking, investment banking and asset management. Credit Suisse provides advisory services, comprehensive solutions and innovative products to companies, institutional clients and high-net-worth private clients globally, as well as to retail clients in Switzerland. Credit Suisse is headquartered in Zurich and operates in over 50 countries worldwide. The group employs approximately 46640 people. The registered shares (CSGN) of Credit Suisse’s parent company, Credit Suisse Group AG, are listed in Switzerland and, in the form of American Depositary Shares (CS), in New York. Further information about Credit Suisse can be found at www.credit -suisse.com.

 

Credit Suisse Asset Management (Switzerland) Ltd.

Credit Suisse Asset Management is a multi-specialist manager with more than CHF 322 bn of assets under management operating within the International Wealth Management division of Credit Suisse. Backed by the institutional quality governance, stability and opportunity of Credit Suisse’s worldwide franchise, we deliver distinct product expertise through active and passive solutions in both traditional and alternative investments.

Credit Suisse Energy Infrastructure Partners AG

Credit Suisse Energy Infrastructure Partners AG is an investment boutique within Credit Suisse AG’s Asset Management, and acts as the investment manager for the CSA Energy Infrastructure Switzerland investment group, among others. It specializes in infrastructure investments in the European energy sector. Its clients include primarily large and medium-sized pension funds and insurance companies seeking long-term investments in this asset class.

 

CSA Energy Infrastructure Switzerland is an investment group of the Credit Suisse Investment Foundation (CSA), and invests in Swiss energy infrastructure. The focus is on investments in the capital-intensive area of existing Swiss energy infrastructure. Furthermore, it is

involved in new-build projects that have received the necessary permissions. CSA Energy Infrastructure Switzerland invests primarily in non-listed equity holdings. The investment group is only open to pension funds domiciled in Switzerland.

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CapMan Real Estate exits the Skanssi shopping centre in Turku

CapMan Oyj

CapMan RE II -fund has sold the Skanssi shopping centre in Turku to a fund managed by CBRE Global Investors.

“We have been involved in Skanssi since its development, and it has been pleasure to see how the shopping centre and its neighbouring area have evolved. The shopping centre has played a key role in the attractiveness and design of Skanssi district. Several retail stores have moved to the area and residential construction is proceeding quickly. We are particularly proud of the ecological activity of Skanssi. The shopping centre favours green values and actions, including the use of solar power, efficient recycling and an active carbon footprint reduction. In January, Skanssi earned the LEED Platinum rating, the highest available LEED rating, and is as such the first shopping centre in Europe with both a LEED Platinum rating and LEED certification from the construction phase. We are very pleased that we have found a professional new owner for Skanssi, who will continue developing the shopping centre from these good premises,” comments Kalle Myllymäki, Partner at CapMan Real Estate.

Skanssi shopping centre is located five kilometres from Turku downtown, by the busy Turku-Helsinki freeway. The shopping centre contains a wide range of stores specializing in fashion, home décor and leisure, as well as several services, including citizen service, restaurants, a bank and a hypermarket. Skanssi has a lettable area of 37,230 m² of which 33,700 m² is retail space, 130 m² is office space and 3,400 m² is in other use. CapMan RE II -fund invested in Skanssi in 2007 when the property was still in the construction phase. Skanssi opened its doors to the public in April 2009.

For further information, please contact:
Kalle Myllymäki, Partner, CapMan Real Estate, tel. +358 20 720 7618

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Gimv enters into a partnership with MVZ Holding, a leading group of medical practices

Gimv

Gimv enters into a partnership with MVZ Holding, a leading group of medical practices

Gimv has entered into a partnership with the existing shareholders of MVZ Holding AG, a leading group of Swiss medical practices, by acquiring a substantial stake in the group and committing additional capital for further growth.

MVZ Holding focusses on providing best in class primary medical care and has grown successfully by executing a disciplined expansion strategy. The company currently runs more than 25 medical practices in different regions in Switzerland and plans further expansion within the country.

Gimv is excited about the opportunity to partner with the company’s exceptionally strong and experienced incumbent management team. Founder and management will remain in their respective roles and will continue to be major shareholders of the company. Gimv will complement the existing team by providing strategic and financial support for the further roll out of their growth strategy.

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Transaction Update: Bregal Unternehmerkapital is the new growth partner of Embassy Jewel

Bregal unternehmerkapital

Another Swiss company with long-standing tradition has entered a partnership with Bregal Unternehmerkapital. The acquisition of the majority stake in Embassy Jewel, a retail company specialising in luxury watches and jewellery, is the sixth investment by the current Bregal Unternehmerkapital fund and the second transaction in Switzerland.

Embassy has grown steadily over the years since it was established in 1970 by Kurt König, the father of Petra and Patrik König. Today, Embassy is one of the five largest retail companies in the sector and stands for the highest level of quality in the traditional Swiss watch market for more than 45 years. Highly respected and well-known within the luxury watch sector, the retail company operates five attractively located stores in Lucerne, the Swiss watch capital, as well as one shop in St. Moritz. With watches and jewellery from distinguished brands such as Breguet, Blancpain, Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, Breitling and numerous other manufacturers, Embassy appeals to an international clientele. With its new partner Bregal Unternehmerkapital, Embassy plans to make further investments to strengthen the branch network and the in-store infrastructure.

Patrik and Petra König continue to hold a significant stake in the company. As their new partner for growth, Bregal is delighted to support Embassy during the company’s next growth phase.

Press contact:

IRA WÜLFING KOMMUNIKATION
Dr. Reinhard Saller
Phone: +49 89 2000 30-30
bregal@wuelfing-kommunikation.de

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Reiten & Co becomes a major shareholder in Scanship Holding ASA

Reiten & Co has agreed to purchase 31.5 million shares in Scanship Holding AS from Teco Group AS, and will thus become the company’s largest shareholder with an ownership interest of 32.98 %.

“We are now looking forward to developing the company in close co-operation with its board of directors and management. We believe in value creation through active participation, development of growth areas that the company has already outlined and through structured strategy discussions,” says Bård Brath Ingerø, managing partner in Reiten & Co.

Digitalization and environmental technology represent exciting opportunities for value creation going forward, and Reiten & Co has highlightes these as focus areas in its investment strategy.

“With Scanship’s advanced technologies for processing waste and purifying water, the company is well positioned to add significant value in the years to come,” says Mr. Ingerø.

Scanship is a maritime industry leader within advanced waste and wastewater solutions for the cruise industry. With their technology, vessel owners have the solution to convert all waste and wastewater to inert materials, recyclables, clean flue gas and effluent, which meets the highest international discharge standards.

The company’s technology can also be used in a number of exciting growth areas on-shore and for land-based industries. One example is their latest delivery of a complete bio-sludge treatment system for a smolt facility (Aquaculture). Another innovation is their new technology for recovering energy and water in waste and wastewater processes, using Microwave Assisted Pyrolysis or MAP. This provides tangible payback from operations.

Scanship’s overall vision is to provide the highest quality, the best innovations and sustainable solutions.

“Our ambition is to contribute to value creation for all stakeholders through our active participation. We have good experience with such work, for instance in Data Respons (DAT.NO) where we own 33 % of the shares,” says Narve Reiten, Founding Partner in Reiten & Co.

“We have followed Scanship and the industry with great interest for quite some time. When the company announced that the granted period for exclusive negotiations about a possible transaction had lapsed, we were able to close an agreement to acquire a substantial number of shares from the company’s leading investor Teco. We are pleased that Teco will remain a shareholder in the company, and that Tore Enger is willing to continue to serve on its board of directors,” says Reiten.

About Reiten & Co

Reiten & Co is one of Norway’s most experienced investment companies and invests in medium-sized Nordic companies with an international potential. Reiten & Co was established in 1992 and has approx. NOK 3.5 billion under management. Reiten & Co takes on an active ownership role in their portfolio companies through providing financial and strategic expertise, operational improvements and growth strategies. Reiten & Co has invested in 25 companies, amongst the industries IT / digitization, oil / offshore, industrials, and various service and consumer goods industries. The portfolio currently consists of 10 companies with a LTM turnover of approx. NOK 7.5 billion.

About Scanship Holding:

Scanship Holding is a maritime industry leader in advanced technologies for processing waste and purifying water. Owners operating their systems have the solution to convert all waste and wastewater to inert materials, recyclables, clean flue gas and effluent, which meets the highest international discharge standards.

Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, TUI, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Asia, P&O Australia, MSC, Viking Ocean Cruises, Hurtigruten and Silversea are all being delivered with Scanship technology for environmental compliance.

Scanship’s new technologies will recover energy and water, providing tangible payback from the operations. The company strives for the highest quality, best innovations and sustainable solutions.

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KKR, Dunas Capital and Alua Hotels & Resorts Partner to Acquire 4 Hotels in the Balearic

  • KKR and Dunas Capital signed an agreement to acquire the Intertur hotels
  • The portfolio of 1,119 rooms in Mallorca and Ibiza will be managed by Alua Hotels and Resorts (“Alua”) and marketed under the Alua brand from 2018 onwards
  • The investment underlines KKR’s strong interest in leisure hotels in Southern Europe

LONDON– KKR, a leading global investment firm, the asset manager Dunas Capital and the hotel group Alua Hotels & Resorts today announced an agreement to acquire and manage the Intertur Hotels group.

Intertur Hotels is a prominent hotel group in the Balearic, with two assets in Mallorca (Palma Nova area), and two in Ibiza (Santa Eulàlia and San Antonio). The KKR-led venture aims at repositioning and modernizing the assets through a significant investment program. Alua will manage the hotels once the agreement is closed, and will market them under its brand starting 2018.

KKR and Dunas Capital’s real estate expertise, combined with Alua’s hospitality know-how, will be key to unlocking value in the portfolio. Guillaume Cassou, head of European Real Estate at KKR, commented “This portfolio of quality assets in strong locations offers a very solid basis to create value in a market benefiting from strong tailwinds. We are convinced that, together with our quality partners, we will be able to create value for our investors. This acquisition represents an exciting first step in KKR’s partnership with Dunas Capital and Alua, and all groups are looking forward to doing more together.”

Andreu Nubiola, Managing Director at Dunas Capital Real Estate, said: “We are delighted to share our expertise in the Spanish market with KKR and Alua. We believe that the Spanish tourism sector currently has great potential and we are convinced that the combination of the capabilities of the three groups will yield very positive results.”

Javier Aguila, CEO and co-founder of Alua Hotels & Resorts, also expressed his satisfaction: “We are excited to add assets with such quality and potential, and to kick-off this strategic collaboration with KKR and Dunas Capital. The transaction is a key milestone for our group, bringing rooms under management to over 3,200 in less than two years, thanks to the great job of our teams on the ground and the continued support of our shareholder, Alchemy Partners.”

KKR and Dunas Capital have been advised by Freshfields, Deloitte, Bird & Bird and Deerns. Intertur Hotels has Bufete Buades as advisor.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages investments across multiple asset classes including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate, credit and hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world‐class people, and driving growth and value creation at the asset level. KKR invests its own capital alongside its partners’ capital and brings opportunities to others through its capital markets business. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. L.P. (NYSE:KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

About Dunas Capital

Dunas Capital is an independent platform of financial services and a leader in the Iberian market. The group offers investment solutions through a portfolio of products covering fixed income, variable income, real estate and alternative assets, among others. Its team of professionals has extensive experience in financial markets (20 years on average), in industries such as banking, insurance and asset management. The firm is licensed by the Bank of Portugal, Portugal’s CMVM and Spain’s CNMV to carry out its activity in Spain.

About Alua Hotels & Resorts

Alua Hotels & Resorts is a hotel group created in 2015 by a group of executives with experience in the industry and by the European private equity and special situations investor Alchemy Partners, which has invested over €4 billion since its inception. Alua Hotels & Resorts aims to become a leader in the upper mid-market, and has a portfolio of fifteen hotels and about 3,200 rooms in the Balearic and Canary Islands. The group plans to expand by incorporating hotels and resorts of 3, 4 and 5 stars that offer vacations and leisure experiences in the main tourist destinations of Iberia.

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