Tag Archives: infrastructure

Partners Group to acquire significant equity stake in Telepass, a European leader in electronic toll collection

Partners Group

Baar-Zug, Switzerland; 17 October 2020

Partners Group to acquire significant equity stake in Telepass, a European leader in electronic toll collection

Partners Group, the global private markets investment manager, has, on behalf of its clients, agreed to acquire a significant equity stake in Telepass S.p.A (“Telepass” or “the Company”), a leading electronic toll collection (“ETC”) services provider in Europe. Following the acquisition, Partners Group will become joint owner of Telepass with its current investor Atlantia, a global leader in the transport sector. The transaction values Telepass at an enterprise value of over EUR 2 billion.

Telepass is a leading European provider of electronic tolling services to approximately 7 million clients, with a strong asset base of more than 12 million active payment devices. The infrastructure services business processes around EUR 7 billion in annual transactions across 14 European countries, servicing over 105,000 kilometers of motorway network. Telepass complements its core ETC services with other transport-related services, such as digital mobility payments, for example for fuel, parking, taxis, car and bike sharing services, as well as personal mobility insurance services. Telepass’ core ETC business has long-term stable cash flows underpinned by high retention rates, with an average customer life of around eight years, and a fixed subscription fee model with low correlation to GDP fluctuations. This, combined with the growth potential of its mobility payment and insurance services, offers a unique opportunity for Partners Group to implement an operational value creation strategy in a resilient sector.

Following the transaction, Partners Group and Atlantia will work closely with Telepass management on a number of strategic value creation initiatives to accelerate the business’ existing growth trajectory, build scale across Europe and establish a leading pan-European platform for customer-centric mobility services. Key areas of focus will be further penetration and consolidation of the European ETC market through organic and acquisitive growth; strengthening the “one-stop mobility payment” solution for B2C and B2B customers; scaling mobility insurance coverage across Europe; and working alongside Atlantia and key municipalities to foster Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives to optimize urban transport, reducing congestion and CO2 emissions.

Gabriele Benedetto, Chief Executive Officer, Telepass, states: “We welcome Partners Group to the Telepass team. The firm’s excellent operational capabilities and history of supporting companies to grow their geographical footprint, expand service areas, and advance technologically will help us to build on our strong presence throughout Europe and drive our inorganic growth strategy. This acquisition is happening at a key point in Telepass’ growth and we look forward to benefiting from the size and strength of Partners Group’s platform, as well as the team’s responsible ownership approach.”

Livio Fenati, Senior Member of Management, Private Infrastructure Europe, Partners Group, says: “This is a compelling opportunity to support an outstanding, non-cyclical asset with a strong brand in the attractive, high-growth transport sector identified by our Thematic Sourcing approach. The Company is uniquely positioned to benefit from the growing electronic payment sector as the global transition to non-cash payments continues, as well as the significant opportunities to expand the asset base via inorganic and acquisitive growth in its core ETC business. Partners Group’s global platform and strong asset management capabilities make Telepass an excellent fit for our transformational investing strategy.”

Shreya Malik, Member of Management, Private Infrastructure Europe, Partners Group, adds: “We are looking forward to working actively with Atlantia and Telepass’ management team to expand into adjacent ETC markets, develop a more diversified customer base, and accelerate the growth of its already high-quality and resilient platform. In addition, Partners Group will work closely with Atlantia on key ESG focus areas for the asset, bringing the expertise we have gained from implementing sustainable measures across our global portfolio, and the emphasis we place on stakeholder prosperity, to this investment. We are excited to bring Partners Group’s experience in the sector to actively support Telepass’ next phase of growth.”

Categories: News

Tags:

EQT Infrastructure V to co-invest in Deutsche Glasfaser

No Comments

eqt

EQT Infrastructure V has signed an agreement to co-invest alongside EQT Infrastructure IV in Deutsche Glasfaser (“the Company”). Post the closing of the transaction, EQT Infrastructure V will hold a 12 percent stake in the Company.

After the acquisition of inexio late last year and of Deutsche Glasfaser (closed in May 2020), EQT Infrastructure IV combined the two companies into the new Deutsche Glasfaser Group. Following the merger of the two companies, additional growth and development opportunities have been identified. EQT Infrastructure V’s participation will help to capture these opportunities and secure support for the new Deutsche Glasfaser Group’s full potential plan.

Deutsche Glasfaser Group will continue to execute, and accelerate, the strategy announced in connection with the closing of the acquisition in May 2020. In short, the strategy includes growth of the Company by pursuing a large-scale deployment of “fiber-to-the-home” internet access in rural Germany.

The closing of the transaction is expected in Q4 2020. With the acquisition of a stake in Deutsche Glasfaser, EQT Infrastructure V is expected to be 10-15 percent invested based on its target fund size, and EQT Infrastructure IV is expected to be 80-85 percent invested.

Contact
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com

About EQT
EQT is a differentiated global investment organization with more than EUR 62 billion in raised capital and around EUR 40 billion in assets under management across 20 active funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America with total sales of more than EUR 27 billion and approximately 159,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

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

About Deutsche Glasfaser
Deutsche Glasfaser was founded in 2011 and has since then been pioneering “fiber-to-the-home” roll-out in rural areas in Germany. Today the Company is Germany‘s leading “fiber-to-the-home” platform with a best-in-class roll-out machine, providing its fiber-based broadband to more than 1 million homes passed and employing more than 1,100 FTE.

More info: www.deutsche-glasfaser.de

Categories: News

Tags:

Arcus announces financial close on the sale of Brisa

Arcus

15 October 2020

LONDON, United Kingdom (15 October 2020) – Arcus Infrastructure Partners (“Arcus”) is pleased to announce the closing of the sale of AEIF1’s (the ‘Fund’) entire 40.6% interest in Brisa Auto-Estradas de Portugal S.A. (‘Brisa’) to a consortium comprising APG Asset Management N.V., the National Pension Service of Korea and Swiss Life Asset Management AG on the 13 October 2020.

Completion of the transaction follows approval granted by the relevant antitrust authorities on 18 September 2020.

Michael Allen, Arcus Partner and Brisa Asset Manager, said: “Over a 13 year period, Arcus has worked in close partnership with Brisa Management and JdM to grow the company, to enhance Brisa’s position as the leading toll road operator in Portugal and leverage its technology and innovation to further develop automated tolling and mobility solutions. Brisa is one of the most efficient toll road operators in Europe and a leader in ESG metrics.”

This transaction marks the sixth and final exit for the Fund.

Simon Gray and Ian Harding, Arcus Co-Managing Partners, said: “We are extremely pleased with the conclusion of the sale of Brisa and the outcome delivered for AEIF1 and its LPs, following 13 years of managing the Fund and its investee companies through some challenging periods as well as some more benign circumstances.  We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to our LPs for their continued trust and support over this long period.”

Arcus’ financial advisors for this transaction were Morgan Stanley and Millennium Investment Banking. Arcus’ legal advisors were Clifford Chance as to English law and Luxembourg law and CS Associados as to Portuguese law. Deloitte provided accounting and tax advice.

Media Contacts:

Callum SprengE: callum@sprengthomson.com

T: +44 7803 970103

—-

About Arcus

Arcus Infrastructure Partners is an independent fund manager focused solely on long-term investments in European infrastructure. Arcus invests on behalf of institutional investors through discretionary funds and special co-investment vehicles and, through its subsidiaries, currently manages investments with an aggregate enterprise value in excess of EUR 15bn (as of 31 December 2019).  The Arcus investment track record includes: Forth Ports, TDF, Alpha Trains, Angel Trains and several other leading European infrastructure businesses. Arcus targets mid-market, value-add infrastructure investments, with a particular focus on businesses in the transportation, energy and telecommunications sectors.

For further information: www.arcusip.com

Linkedin/arcusinfrastructurepartners

Twitter/ArcusInfra

—-

About Brisa

Brisa is a leading toll road concessionaire in Europe (c. 1,575km total network length) and the largest road platform in Portugal representing c. 57% of total national distance travelled and c. 43% of the country’s toll road network. Every year, over 7.5 million customers drive on Brisa motorways.

Brisa, which comprises 5 concessions holding a total of 21 motorways, is the backbone of the Portuguese road system: it runs through 12/18 Portuguese regions, connecting Porto-Lisbon (the key national business route) and East-West (with two major accesses to Spain and the Trans-European road network). The largest concession is Brisa Concessão Rodoviária (BCR), which comprises a network of 11 motorways spanning across 1,100 km in which Brisa holds a 70% stake.

For further information: https://www.brisa.pt/en

LinkedIn/Brisa

Twitter/viaverdept

Categories: News

Tags:

Building Back Better – DIF Capital Partners achieves A+ UNPRI scores

DIF

2020 has been an extraordinary year for all of us. The Covid-19 pandemic has called into question some of the foundations of modern societies, from global supply chains to national health services. But most of all, 2020 has put a spotlight on resilience: the resilience of individuals, of communities, of businesses, of the climate and, in particular of the infrastructure investments of DIF Capital Partners (“DIF”).

Today, DIF is publishing its 2020 ESG Report – Building Back Better. With the publication of the report, DIF shows it has an action-oriented and transparent approach designed to positively engage with all our stakeholders ensuring the resilience of the assets in which it invests and promoting improvement in ESG performance over time.

Furthermore, DIF is pleased to announce that it achieved A+ UNPRI scores for 2020, for both the infrastructure and the strategy & governance modules. This is the result of an integrated approach to ESG across all of DIF’s activities. ESG remains a key strategic priority for DIF, and the awarded UNPRI scores confirm it is fully embedded in DIF’s investment principles, strategy, policies and processes.

DIF welcomes your feedback and is looking forward to continuing this important discussion with its stakeholders – collectively targeting to improve ESG performance and to take to mitigate climate change across the industry.

Please click on the following link to access the full report: DIF Capital Partners – ESG Report 2020.

About DIF Capital Partners

DIF Capital Partners is a leading global independent infrastructure fund manager, with €7.6 billion of assets under management across nine closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF Capital Partners invests in greenfield and operational infrastructure assets located primarily in Europe, the Americas and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF Infrastructure funds target equity investments in projects with long-term contracted or regulated income streams including public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, utilities, and (renewable) energy projects.
  • DIF CIF funds target equity investments in small to mid-sized economic infrastructure assets in the telecom, energy and transportation sectors.

DIF Capital Partners has a team of over 145 professionals, based in nine offices located in Amsterdam (Schiphol), Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Santiago, Sydney and Toronto. Please visit www.dif.eu for further information.

Contact: Allard Ruijs, Partner; a.ruijs@dif.eu.

Share

Categories: News

Tags:

EQT Infrastructure to sell Synagro

eqt

  • EQT Infrastructure to sell Synagro, the largest provider of wastewater biosolids solutions in North America, to West Street Infrastructure Partners III, an infrastructure investment fund managed by Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division
  • Synagro partners with local communities to process over 14 million tons of wastewater biosolids annually to protect the health of our water, air, soil, and those who depend on them
  • Under EQT’s ownership, Synagro has grown its facility footprint from 15 to 24 facilities, while expanding its services offerings to provide reliable and sustainable biosolids management solutions to 1,000 municipal and industrial customers across 35 states

The EQT Infrastructure II fund (“EQT Infrastructure”) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Synagro Technologies, Inc. (“Synagro” or “the Company”) to West Street Infrastructure Partners III, an infrastructure investment fund managed by Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division.

Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, Synagro is the leading provider of wastewater biosolids solutions in North America. The Company provides essential biosolids treatment solutions, turning a waste stream into fertilizer products for over 1,000 municipal and industrial customers across 35 states. Synagro manages over 14 million tons of biosolids annually across its portfolio of 24 specialized treatment facilities and the industry’s largest permitted beneficial use land base.

Under EQT Infrastructure’s ownership, Synagro has developed into the industry leading wastewater biosolids solutions platform in North America with the industry’s largest wastewater biosolids treatment facility footprint, broadest network of permitted disposal solutions and most comprehensive environmental services offering. With its data driven and local approach, the Company has solidified its position as a trusted partner for municipalities and industrial customers helping to protect the water, air and soil quality of the local communities in which Synagro operates.

Crosby Cook, Partner at EQT Partners, said: “Partnering with the Synagro management team to develop the Company into the industry leading platform has been a fulfilling experience. Synagro’s sustainable business model aligns well with EQT’s ESG goals and we are proud to have been a part of the Company’s transformation. With ever-increasing demand for sustainable biosolids solutions, Synagro is well-positioned for its next phase of growth under Goldman Sachs’ ownership.”

Bob Preston, Chief Executive Officer of Synagro, said: “Under EQT’s ownership, we have cemented our position as market leader providing sustainable biosolids solutions to communities in North America. We see great potential for further growth in this market and look forward to continuing our journey together with Goldman Sachs.”

Cedric Lucas, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division, added: “We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Bob and the Synagro team to build on their success, accelerate innovation in biosolids treatment solutions, and support the Company’s growth plans in the years to come. Synagro is a great example of our infrastructure funds’ commitment to investing in sustainable businesses and Goldman Sachs’ dedication to ESG.”

The transaction is subject to customary conditions and approvals. It is expected to close in December 2020.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acted as financial advisor and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP as legal advisor to EQT Infrastructure.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as financial advisor and Sidley Austin LLP as legal advisor to West Street Infrastructure Partners III.

Contact
US press contact, daniel.yunger@kekstcnc.com, +1 917 574 8582
Crosby Cook, Partner and Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure, +1 917 281 0851
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334

About EQT
EQT is a differentiated global investment organization with more than EUR 62 billion in raised capital and around EUR 40 billion in assets under management across 19 active funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America with total sales of more than EUR 27 billion and approximately 159,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

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

About Synagro
Founded in 1986, Synagro Technologies, Inc. works to turn waste into worth by helping more than 1,000 municipal and industrial water and wastewater facilities in North America move toward safer, cleaner and more environmentally beneficial practices. For some, it’s simply cleaning the water supply. For others, it’s much more – we partner with them to process their waste for compost or energy pellets, creating healthy soil and sequestering carbon in the process. As the largest recycler of organic by-products in North America, we’re trusted because we remove risks while keeping the logistics clean. Because we have the most experienced team in the industry, we can offer tailored solutions that ensure no waste goes to waste. Much of our work isn’t pretty. But it’s a greener world emerging from a cleaner one – worth coming from waste – and we think that’s pretty beautiful.

More info: www.synagro.com

About Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division
Founded in 1869, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm. Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division (MBD) is the primary center for the firm’s long-term principal investing activity. MBD is one of the leading private capital investors in the world with investments across private equity, infrastructure, private debt, growth equity and real estate.

Categories: News

Tags:

DIF Capital Partners to acquire stakes in two Portuguese availability PPP roads

DIF

DIF Capital Partners, through DIF Infrastructure VI, is pleased to announce it has reached an agreement to acquire a 49% stake in the Norte Litoral and a 48% stake in the Via do Infante availability PPP roads from Cintra, a subsidiary of Ferrovial. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary approvals from Portuguese authorities and lenders.

Through other funds under its management DIF Capital Partners controls the remaining 51% stake in Norte Litoral as well as a 49% stake in Via do Infante, stakes it acquired from Cintra in 2016.

Via do Infante (A22) is a 133 kilometer motorway concession between Lagos and Castro Marim in the South of Portugal. This concession was awarded in 2000, with the contract running until 2030. Norte Litoral (A28 and A27) is a 113 kilometer motorway concession between Porto and Caminha, and from Viana do Castelo to Ponte de Lima, in Northern Portugal. This concession was awarded in 2001, with the contract running until 2031. Both concessions benefit from availability payments which represent ca. 95% of revenue. Cintra will continue to provide the management services for both roads.

Fernando Moreno, partner at DIF Capital Partners, said: “We are very pleased with the addition of these critical and robust road assets to the DIF VI portfolio. Given their structure, the projects have continued to demonstrate strong performance despite the Covid-19 crisis.”

About DIF Capital Partners

DIF Capital Partners is a leading global independent infrastructure fund manager, with €7.6 billion of assets under management across nine closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF Capital Partners invests in greenfield and operational infrastructure assets located primarily in Europe, the Americas and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF Infrastructure funds target equity investments in projects with long-term contracted or regulated income streams including public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, utilities, and (renewable) energy projects.
  • DIF CIF funds target equity investments in small to mid-sized economic infrastructure assets in the telecom, energy and transportation sectors.

DIF Capital Partners has a team of over 145 professionals, based in nine offices located in Amsterdam (Schiphol), Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Santiago, Sydney and Toronto. Please visit www.dif.eu for further information.

Contact: Allard Ruijs, Partner; a.ruijs@dif.eu.

Share

 

Categories: News

Tags:

Bridgepoint agrees sale of majority interest in Miya to Antin Infrastructure Partners

Bridgepoint

Bridgepoint has agreed the sale of Miya Water (“Miya”), a leading international environmental services company, to Antin Infrastructure Partners.

Miya is a best-in-class global water platform uniquely positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities in the sector. The company is the largest private water operator in Portugal and a global provider of comprehensive integrated water efficiency solutions to public and private utilities. With more than 700 employees, Miya serves over 600,000 people in Portugal via six long-term concessions and one public private partnership (PPP) and has delivered more than 200 water efficiency projects globally aimed at reducing non-revenue water (water lost during distribution).

Following completion of the acquisition, Antin will work with Miya’s management team, led by CEO Amit Horman, to support growth opportunities in water concessions and PPPs in Europe and North America, as well as the delivery of further water efficiency projects around the world.

Miya’s growth prospects are underpinned by attractive market fundamentals, a greater focus on water efficiency and significant investment needs supported by the private sector.

Mauricio Bolaña, Partner at Antin, said:”Miya is a best-in-class water operator with a solid base that will serve as a springboard to capture the strong growth potential that exists in the sector. We are delighted to support Miya’s management team in the next stage of the company’s development.”

Héctor Pérez, Partner at Bridgepoint, said: “Miya is a unique business with a superb management team. We are extremely pleased to be a part of its journey and to continue supporting its growth ambitions in this new stage together with Antin.”

Amit Horman, Chief Executive Officer at Miya, commented: “We thank Bridgepoint for their significant support. In partnership with Antin, we look forward to delivering on the significant potential we see over the coming years.”

Antin was advised by Deutsche Bank, Herbert Smith Freehills, Sérvulo, McConnell Valdés, PWACS Corporate Finance, PWACS, Defining Future Options, EY and Marsh.

Bridgepoint was advised by Citi, Uría Menéndez, PwC Strategy&, EY, ERM and Willis.

Categories: News

Tags:

DIF Capital Partners invests in 900 MW Canadian power project

DIF

DIF Capital Partners, through DIF Infrastructure VI (“DIF”), is pleased to announce its investment in the 900-megawatt Cascade Power Project (“Cascade” or the “Project”) in Canada. Together with joint equity sponsors OPTrust and Axium Infrastructure, DIF will invest in the construction of Cascade. The equity sponsors and its development sponsors Kineticor and Macquarie Capital, successfully closed financing of the CAD 1.5 billion Project today, including securing non-recourse project financing.

Cascade is a 900-megawatt combined cycle natural gas-fired generating facility to be located near Edson, Alberta. Siemens Energy will provide two highly efficient single shaft SCC6-8000H power trains and provide maintenance support under a long-term service agreement. Cascade is strategically situated in proximity to significant gas production as well as the NGTL System and high voltage electrical transmission lines, an important competitive advantage for Cascade. Construction will start immediately with commercial operations commencing in 2023. Cascade is contracted and benefits from long-term gas netback agreements which provide cashflow stability and downside protection once the project is commissioned.

Cascade will lead the transition to a lower carbon intensive power grid in Alberta by supporting the province’s transition off coal-fired power, generating low emissions electricity that is expected to supply over 8 percent of the province’s average demand. With Alberta contributing over 50 percent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation, Cascade is expected to result in one of the largest emissions reduction opportunities in the country’s electricity sector.

BPC, a joint venture between affiliates of PCL Construction and Overland Contracting Canada, Inc., a Black & Veatch Company, will construct the facility under an Engineering, Procurement and Construction Services contract with Kineticor acting as construction and asset manager. Cascade will additionally benefit the local community with over 3 million work hours of labour required for construction, creating approximately 600 jobs during peak construction as well as 25 long-term jobs during operation.

About DIF Capital Partners

DIF Capital Partners is a leading global independent infrastructure fund manager, with €7.6 billion of assets under management across nine closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF Capital Partners invests in greenfield and operational infrastructure assets located primarily in Europe, the Americas and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF Infrastructure funds target equity investments in public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, utilities and renewable energy projects with long-term contracted or regulated income streams.
  • DIF CIF funds target equity investments in small to mid-sized economic infrastructure assets in the telecom, energy and transportation sectors.

DIF has a team of over 145 professionals, based in nine offices located in Amsterdam (Schiphol), Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Santiago, Sydney and Toronto. Please visit www.dif.eu for further information.

Contact: Allard Ruijs, Partner; a.ruijs@dif.eu.

 

Categories: News

Tags:

DIF Capital Partners acquires majority stake in UK fibre broadband operator

DIF

19 August 2020  |  London

DIF Capital Partners acquires majority stake in UK fibre broadband operator

DIF Capital Partners, through its DIF Core Infrastructure Fund II (“DIF CIF II”), is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of a majority stake (54%) in 4th Utility, a fibre-to-the-premise (“FTTP”) infrastructure developer and internet service provider based in Hale, Manchester (UK).

4th Utility partners with residential and commercial landlords, property developers and house builders to design, install and upgrade their properties with state-of-the-art FTTP infrastructure.

4th Utility currently operates FTTP networks within a number of residential property developments in the North of England. DIF CIF II will provide significant capital to fund a large pipeline of opportunities generated by 4th Utility with their development partners throughout the UK.

“We are excited to partner with DIF Capital Partners who share our desire to invest in high-quality fibre infrastructure providing ultrafast internet access to properties across the UK. This long-term investment allows us to expand our current platform and provide ‘full fibre’ connectivity to a significant number of new customers” comments Tony Hughes, CEO of 4th Utility.

The transaction is the first investment for DIF CIF II in the UK and its third investment in the digital infrastructure sector following recent acquisitions in Canada and France. “We are pleased to bring our experience in digital infrastructure to support 4th Utility and their management team in delivering FTTP infrastructure investment to underserved properties in the UK” comments Willem Jansonius, Head of DIF CIF.

Please visit www.the4thutility.co.uk for further information.

About DIF Capital Partners

DIF Capital Partners is a leading global independent infrastructure fund manager, with €7.5 billion of assets under management across nine closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF Capital Partners invests in greenfield and operational infrastructure assets located primarily in Europe, the Americas and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF CIF funds target equity investments in small to mid-sized infrastructure assets in the telecom, energy and transportation sectors.
  • DIF Infrastructure funds target equity investments in public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, utilities and renewable energy projects with long-term contracted or regulated income streams.

DIF has a team of over 145 professionals, based in nine offices located in Amsterdam (Schiphol), Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Santiago, Sydney and Toronto. Please visit www.dif.eu for further information.

Contact: Thijs Verburg, IR & BD; t.verburg@dif.eu.

Categories: News

Tags:

DIF Capital Partners acquires a stake in French digital infrastructure company IELO

DIF

DIF Capital Partners (“DIF”), through its DIF Core Infrastructure Fund II (“DIF CIF II”), is pleased to announce that it will invest in the French independent fiber optic operator IELO with the aim of contributing to its network roll-out in the coming years. DIF will enable IELO to build a nationwide footprint and become a leading fiber optic infrastructure operator in France, while remaining fully independent and a pure infrastructure player.

Resulting from the merger between IELO and LIAZO in 2016, the IELO group is positioned as a key player in the telecommunications sector in France. IELO’s fiber network is the highest quality urban optical network equipped with the latest technologies. It currently represents nearly 2,000 km of fiber, covering 30 metropolitan areas and connects more than 1,000 companies. Due to the significantly growing digitalisation requirements of companies the market is rapidly expanding. DIF’s capital injections will further accelerate the strong development of the fiber network of IELO in France.

As a long-term shareholder, DIF and IELO founders plan to invest together €90 million over the next few years to triple the size of IELO’s network by deploying more than 4,500 km of fiber (increasing it to 6,500 km total) in 95 French cities and economic zones. This acquisition perfectly fits CIF II’s strategy to invest in high-quality telecom infrastructure businesses.

Arthur Fernandez IELO co-founder and CEO said: “IELO is now at a turning point in its development and the long-term support provided by DIF represents a tremendous accelerator to achieve our ambitions of scaling up the strategy we have been successfully implementing in recent years. We intend to consolidate our position as a key independent wholesale operator in the fiber optics business with the aim of expanding our French client base to further gain market share.”

Thomas Vieillescazes, partner and head of DIF France added: “DIF has been investing heavily in the telecommunications sector in Europe and North America for several years, particularly in projects related to data centers and fiber optics. This investment is therefore in line with our strategy of investing in the high-potential digital infrastructure market, especially in the growing B2B business. We believe IELO, being a dedicated wholesale infrastructure provider, and the only one with a nationwide development strategy, is a perfect fit for DIF CIF II: it’s a pure infrastructure play with a greenfield component, for which DIF will bring to bear its longstanding experience in the French market. We have particular trust in IELO’s managers and their teams and are delighted to support the group in its development to become a key player in a growing market.”

About IELO

The IELO group markets enterprise access products through offers exclusively for telecom operators (the so-called “wholesale only” market). Operating its own optical cable network, IELO has an extensive coverage area covering some thirty of France’s largest conurbations, i.e. 161 municipalities in 23 departments. Since 2014, IELO has been implementing a strong strategy of rolling out its own network through an investment plan and a sustained pace of deployment, in order to extend its position in France. To find out more: www.ielo.com

About DIF Capital Partners

DIF Capital Partners is a leading global independent infrastructure fund manager, with €7.5 billion of assets under management across nine closed-end infrastructure funds and several co-investment vehicles. DIF Capital Partners invests in greenfield and operational infrastructure assets located primarily in Europe, the Americas and Australasia through two complementary strategies:

  • DIF CIF funds target equity investments in small to mid-sized infrastructure assets in the telecom, energy and transportation sectors.
  • DIF Infrastructure funds target equity investments in public-private partnerships (PPP/PFI/P3), concessions, utilities and renewable energy projects with long-term contracted or regulated income streams.

DIF has a team of over 140 professionals, based in nine offices located in Amsterdam (Schiphol), Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Santiago, Sydney and Toronto. Please visit www.dif.eu for further information.

Contact: Thomas Vieillescazes, Partner; t.vieillescazes@dif.eu and Thijs Verburg, IR & BD; t.verburg@dif.eu.

Categories: News

Tags: