Category Archives: News

Gimv and Top Brands are investing in Ellis Gourmet Burger – Ambition to further roll out this unique and high-quality restaurant concept in Belgium and abroad

GIMV

08/06/2018 – 07:30 | 

Gimv and Top Brands have together acquired a majority stake in fast-growing Ellis Gourmet Burger, the trendy restaurant chain for premium hamburger meals. The ambition is to further professionalise and expand in Belgium, the Netherlands and France, backed by a strong brand concept. Co-founder and CEO Thierry Canetta will continue in his role as CEO.  He reinvests significantly, thereby retaining a minority stake.

Ellis (www.ellisgourmetburger.be) was established in 2011 with the mission to serve the perfect hamburger in a strong service oriented environment. Ellis Gourmet Burger uses premium products, sourced from well-known mostly local food suppliers, and collaborates with renowned Michelin-starred chefs to create its signature dishes. Its trendy restaurants at highstreet locations, table service, multicultural teams and little extras such as local speciality beers and the Ellis Gazette all contribute to the creation of a unique and high-quality dining experience. By offering a restaurant experience at affordable prices, Ellis Gourmet Burger has played a leading role in the fast casual dining wave in Belgium and its neighbouring countries. Behind the scenes, Ellis focuses on operational efficiency with rigorous quality checks, while safeguarding the consistency of the quality and the dining experience in all of its restaurants.

Driven by this strong concept, Ellis has become the reference gourmet burger chain in Belgium, with a total portfolio of 25 restaurants in Belgium, the Netherlands and France. Competitors usually only have a local presence and/or a different concept. As such, Ellis is the only sizeable Belgian gourmet burger chain with a presence across the border. The company generates a turnover of EUR 24 million (2017) with a workforce of 270 employees.

In the coming years, Ellis wants to capitalise on its unique brand positioning to become the leading player in Belgium, the Netherlands and France. In Belgium, Ellis Gourmet Burger already benefits from significant brand awareness, with a clear plan for further expansion. In the Netherlands and France, there is plenty of untapped potential for a strong concept like Ellis Gourmet Burger, albeit with local accents. Further professionalization of the organisation, amongst others in the fields of sales and marketing, is also part of the company’s growth strategy.

With Gimv and Top Brands, management has attracted two Belgian investors with complementary expertise. Top Brands is known for its portfolio of strong brands. The group has the master franchise for Pizza Hut and Boulangerie Paul in Belgium, and owns the trendy Wasbar concept. Top Brands has a proven track record in rolling out fast casual concepts in Belgium and its neighbouring countries. The group has 125 restaurants and is one of the largest players in fast casual in Belgium. Gimv’s complementary expertise in changing consumer habits, innovation and digitization, especially in the food sector, also offers tremendous added value. But especially its proven track record in transforming SMEs into international players is a true asset in this deal constellation.

Thierry Canetta, CEO of Ellis Gourmet Burger, about the transaction: “This cooperation is the perfect opportunity for Ellis Gourmet Burger to pursue its quest to serve the perfect hamburger even more passionately. The combination of Top Brands’ expertise in rolling out concepts and Gimv’s strategic insight and experience will help transform Ellis Gourmet Burger into an even stronger brand and a leading Belgian export product.”

Dirk Dewals, Head of Gimv’s Connected Consumer team, adds: “Ellis Gourmet Burger is an excellent example of the successful roll-out of a fast casual concept, capitalising on the growing trend towards indulgence. We are convinced that the knowledge and experience of Gimv, Top Brands and Ellis are very complementary, offering the best guarantee for achieving our joint growth ambitions.”

Stef Meulemans, CEO Top Brands, concludes: “Ellis Gourmet Burger perfectly fits our strategy of developing a portfolio of strong brands. Ellis has tremendous potential, and together we possess the required know-how and capabilities to continue the further rollout, both nationally and on international level.”

The transaction is subject to the usual conditions, including the approval of the antithrust authorities. No further financial details will be disclosed about this transaction.

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FSN Capital III has sold its holding in Green Landscaping

Fsn Capital

FSN Capital III has sold its holding of 9,281,788 shares (corresponding to 26.15% of the total shares) in Green Landscaping Holding AB (“Green” or the “Company”) through a block sale to Byggmästare Anders J Ahlström Fastighets AB and the Salén family. The sale was made at a price of SEK 21.25 per share, a total of approximately SEK 197 million. Following the sale, FSN Capital III no longer holds any shares in Green, a company it formed in 2009 together with a group of entrepreneurs.

Green was listed on NASDAQ First North on 26 March 2018. Following on from the IPO, there has been significant interest in Green from the market. In particular, Byggmästare Anders J Ahlström Fastighets AB and the Salén family have recently expressed the desire to acquire FSN Capital III’s remaining ownership. Given the long term supportive nature of these investors, that they are buying the shares above the IPO price, that they will enter into a customary lock up agreement for the remaining part of FSN Capital III’s lock up period, and FSN Capital III’s existing long term ownership of Green Landscaping, Pareto Securities considers it is in the best interests to allow this sale before the end of FSN Capital III’s original lock-up period.

Andreas Bruzelius, Principal at FSN Capital Partners (investment advisor to FSN Capital III) says: “The transaction concludes a journey initiated 10 years ago when we first met Green’s original founders. Our shared vision was to create a leading landscaping company with SEK 1bn in sales – an objective achieved in 2017 under the capable stewardship of Green’s management team. Having reached our targets, we are pleased to hand over to a group of highly active and professional owners to fulfil Green’s high ambitions for the future.”

About Green
Green Landscaping is a leading supplier of services within the Swedish market for maintenance of outdoor environments. The main business comprises a complete offering of maintenance services such as grounds maintenance, landscaping, sports grounds maintenance, as well as arborist services. Green Landscaping is present in the middle and south of Sweden, focusing on the metropolitan areas.

The Company began its operations in the spring of 2009 through a consolidation of four companies, which together formed the new group Green Landscaping. Since then, the Company has conducted seven more acquisitions and achieved total revenues of SEK 1,016 million in 2017, including full-year revenues from companies acquired in 2017. In 2015, Johan Nordström started working as CEO of Green Landscaping. Since then, the Company has established a platform for profitable growth through the implementation of multiple operational efficiency improvements and efficient steering processes. These have also contributed to an increase in the Company’s adjusted EBITDA margin from 4.2 percent in 2014 to 9.4 percent in 2017, including full-year earnings from companies acquired in 2017. The Company intends to grow through both organic growth and acquisitions, and has established a structured acquisition strategy for the future.

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Holta Invest AS acquires MPT Sweden AB from CapMan Buyout

Holta Invest
MPT (Metal Powder Technology) is specialized in the production of metal powders for the welding, hard-facing and steel industries. MPT is the global leader in its business niche and exports its products throughout the world. MPT is located in Ekshärad, Sweden and it employs a total of 23 persons. MPT’s turnover in 2017 was MEUR 33.

(Oslo, 6. June 2018)

Dag Teigland, CEO of Holta Invest and Chairman of Nizi International, commented on the announcement: “We are pleased to conclude the acquisition of MPT Sweden AB. MPT runs an efficient operation and has over the years built a solid global position within its niche. The company enjoys a strong reputation through offering excellent quality and service to the industry.

MPT will fit very well into our metal activities in the Nizi International Group. One of the companies in the Group, Chemalloy, is a leading supplier of specialty metal powders to the North American welding industry and the acquisition of MPT will strengthen our global position within this niche. Thus, the acquisition of MPT is an important step in the strategy of transitioning the Nizi Group towards more value-added services for the customers”.

“During CapMan’s ownership the business of MPT has become more scalable and it has achieved a solid position within its niche. The company has strengthened its current organisation, reached new markets and broaden its product assortment for its current customers,” says Tobias Karte, Investment Director at CapMan Buyout and responsible for the investment in MPT.

“We are pleased to have Holta Invest as a new owner. Holta Invest has a vision, which is well in line with how we think MPT should be developed going forward. Together with their expertise in the Nizi Group, I am excited to develop MPT to the next level,” says CEO of MPT, Daniel Styrenius.

For more information, please contact: Dag Teigland, CEO Holta Invest, tel + 47 95053008

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CapMan Buyout to divest MPT Sweden AB to Holta Invest

Funds managed by CapMan Buyout have agreed to sell their holdings in MPT Sweden AB to Holta Invest.

CapMan Buyout funds have continued successful exits from portfolio companies of which MPT Sweden is the fourth transaction within the last seven months.

MPT is specialised in the production of metal powders and crushed metals especially for the welding, hardfacing and steel industries. MPT is the global leader in its business sector and exports its products throughout the world. The headquarter of MPT is located in Ekshärad, Sweden and it employs a total of 23 persons. MPT’s turnover for 2017 was MEUR 33 and reported EBITDA MEUR 1.9. Funds managed by CapMan acquired MPT in 2009.

“During CapMan’s ownership the business of MPT has become more scalable and it has achieved a solid position within its niche. The company has strengthened its organisation, reached new markets and broaden its product assortment for its current customers,” says Tobias Karte, Investment Director at CapMan Buyout and responsible for the investment in MPT.

“We are pleased to have Holta Invest as a new majority owner. Holta Invest has a vision, which is well in line with how we think MPT should be developed going forward, and together with their expertise from other investments in this sector, I am convinced we will be able to build MPT into a stronger company,” says CEO of MPT, Daniel Styrenius.

Livingstone acted as financial advisor and Baker McKenzie as legal advisor to CapMan Buyout in the transaction.

The CapMan Buyout team comprises 12 investment professionals working in Helsinki and Stockholm and the funds managed by CapMan Buyout invest in medium-sized, unlisted companies in the Nordic countries.

For more information, please contact:
Tobias Karte, Investment Director, CapMan Buyout, tel. +46 733 442 896
Daniel Styrenius, CEO, MPT Sweden AB, tel. +46 701 014 244

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Ardian enters into exclusive negotiations to sell DIAM to management

Ardian

aris, 7 June 2018 – Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, today announces that it enters into exclusive negotiations to sell of its majority stake in DIAM Group (“DIAM”), a global leader in merchandising solutions for major luxury and cosmetic brands, to the company’s management team, alongside EMZ Partners and BNP Paribas Développement. Completion is subject to consultation with employee and union representatives.

Founded in 1968 and led by CEO and Chairman Michel Vaissaire since 2007, DIAM has evolved into a benchmark player in merchandising retail for luxury and cosmetic brands.

During its two-year partnership with Ardian, DIAM has continued its strong growth, most notably thanks to significant organic growth across all its activities and geographies, due to significant investments in new business capabilities and the expansion of its product offer. Ardian has played a major role in this strong development which has led to the construction of three new factories and two build-ups.

Ardian has also supported DIAM on its digital transformation journey and in its CSR activities, alongside following market evolutions and providing higher value solutions to its clients.
The company’s turnover went from €200 million in 2015 to more than €300 million in 2017.

Michel Vaissaire, CEO and Chairman of DIAM Group, said: “We thank Ardian for having been a strong partner in supporting our growth and numerous development initiatives. We are delighted by the role Ardian has played in the company’s expansion. We also want to thank Ardian for their support in our decision to carry out an LMBO and for their support during the process. We thank BNP Paribas Développement for their trust throughout the years and EMZ for placing their trust in us when we enter a new phase of development.

Arnaud Dufer, Head of Ardian Expansion France, added: “We are delighted to have been able to support DIAM Group and its strong management team throughout these two years of strong performance. We’ve supported the company in a number of strategic initiatives, including the opening of new production sites and in digital and CSR projects. Thanks to these initiatives and to 112 managers who have invested alongside us, we are confident that the company is very well positioned to continue its strong performance in the future.”

Thierry Raiff, President of EMZ Partners, said: “Our participation in this transaction allows DIAM’s management to take control of the company following its strong performance. The professionalism, strategic vision and cohesion of this team convinced us that the Group has significant potential and we are very enthusiastic to support its development.”

ABOUT DIAM

With revenues exceeding €300m in 2017, DIAM is the world leader in merchandising solutions for the luxury retail and cosmetics segments. In the last few years, DIAM has grown through international expansion (with a presence in 25 countries) and by broadening its offer to provide better support to its clients. DIAM is a key player in the creative design, production and installation of merchandising solutions for cosmetics and luxury brands (Chanel, Clinique, Dior, Estée Lauder, Cartier, L’Oréal, Lancôme, Clarins, LVMH, Shiseido, Coty, P&G, etc.).
www.diaminter.com

ABOUT ARDIAN

Ardian is a world-leading private investment house with assets of US$71bn managed or advised in Europe, North America and Asia. The company is majority-owned by its employees. It keeps entrepreneurship at its heart and focuses on delivering excellent investment performance to its global investor base. Through its commitment to shared outcomes for all stakeholders, Ardian’s activities fuel individual, corporate and economic growth around the world.

Holding close its core values of excellence, loyalty and entrepreneurship, Ardian maintains a truly global network, with more than 500 employees working from thirteen offices across Europe (Frankfurt, Jersey, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris and Zurich), North America (New York, San Francisco) and Asia (Beijing, Singapore, Tokyo). It manages funds on behalf of 700 clients through five pillars of investment expertise: Private Debt, Fund of Funds, Direct Funds, Infrastructure and Real Estate.

Follow Ardian on Twitter @Ardian

www.ardian.com

ABOUT EMZ PARTNERS

Based in Paris, EMZ Partners professionals have completed since 1999, 120 investments (for a total amount of 2.7 billion euros) in fast growing French companies. EMZ investments are comprised between 10 and 120 million euros. The company focuses on management buyout (as DIAM), or financing for build-ups. DIAM investment will be the 8 made via EMZ8 fund, a 815 million euros fund raised in 2017 from large institutions. The transaction has been followed by Thierry Raiff, Bruno Froideval, Ajit Jayaratnam and Ludovic Bart.

ABOUT BNP PARIBAS DÉVELOPPEMENT

BNP Paribas Développement, subsidiary of BNP Paribas, is a private equity company which has held minority stakes in French SMEs since almost 25 years. Its teams, composed of 25 investors, are based across France. This year BNP Paribas Développement currently manages a portfolio of 350 participations for an invested amount of €850 million, placing it as a leading player in the private equity market in France. It aims at supporting entrepreneurs in equity or quasi equity on a long term basis, always as a minority shareholder, with investment tickets from 1 million to 20 million euros.

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

ARDIAN
Ardian Expansion: Arnaud Dufer, Alexis Lavaillote, Caroline Pihan, Romain Gautron
Seller advisor: Transaction R (Pierpaolo Carpinelli, Pierre Sader, Benjamin Osdoit, Romain Golven)
Legal advisor: DLA Piper (Xavier Norlain, Matthieu Lampel)
Strategic advisor: Roland Berger (Olivier de Panafieu, Sébastien Murbach)
Financial advisor: Grant Thornton (Grégory Volpi, Alain-Régis Grail, Jonathan Happi)DIAM
Management: Michel Vaissaire, Thierry Chetaille, Françoise Raoul Duval
BNP Paribas Développement: Jean-Charles Moulin, Delphine Larrandaburu, Julien Lemaire
Management advisor: Callisto (Vincent Aymé, Tancrède Caulliez)
Legal advisor: Claris (Manfred Noé)

EMZ PARTNERS
EMZ: Thierry Raiff, Bruno Froideval, Ajit Jayaratnam, Ludovic Bart
Legal advisor: De Pardieu Brocas Maffei (Jean-François Pourdieu)

PRESS CONTACTS

ARDIAN
Headland
CARL LEIJONHUFVUD
CLeijonhufvud@headlandconsultancy.com
Tel: +44 20 3805 4827
DIAM
Cécile Tombarello
cecile.tombarello@diaminter.com
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Eurazeo PME is set to become the new majority shareholder of 2RH Group.

Eurazeo

Eurazeo PME is set to become the new majority shareholder of 2RH Group (Shark, Bering, Segura and Cairn brands ), one of Europe’s leading suppliers of protective motorcycle and outdoor sports equipment.

Eurazeo PME announces the signing of an acquisition agreement, under the terms of which it will become the new reference shareholder of 2RH group, a longside management and Naxicap Partners. The goal shared by Eurazeo PME and its senior management is to step up the company’s growth trajectory by strengthening its leading position in France and Europe, in particular thanks to external growth operations.

Eurazeo PME will thus take over from Naxicap Partners, the majority shareholder since July 2015. The operation is due to be completed in July 2018. Founded in 2008 out of the Shark brand, the 2RH group designs and manufactures protective motorcycle and winter sports equipment.

In line with the company’s innovative strategy and spirit, the equipment meets the highest standards in terms of performance and safety. 2RH has a workforce of over 600 and has three production sites in France and abroad (Portugal, Thailand). The group currently generates over half of its sales outside France, principally in Europe, the world’s No. 1 market, where it is one of the industry’s leaders.

With a turnover of €100 million in 2017 and an organic growth of more than 10% per year since 2011, the group has already made two acquisitions –Trophy (Bering, Segura) in 2011 and Marlybag (Cairn) in 2016, enabling it to diversify its offering while reinforcing its distribution networks.

Eurazeo PME is keen to support 2RH’s management, led by Patrick François, its Chairman & CEO, in consolidating its leading position in the motorbike protective equipment sector, but also in the sports sector, through both organic growth and acquisitions. Eurazeo PME will be placing its international business network –with its offices, notably in the United States and Brazil – and its corporate expertise (digital, CSR, etc.) at the disposal of the group’s operational excellence strategy.

Erwann Le Ligné, Managing Director-Member of the Eurazeo PME Executive Board:

“We are very enthusiastic about the management team and the quality of growth of a group with solid fundamentals.

Eurazeo PME wishes to lend its support to the 2RH Group in its ambition to double in size over the next five years by supporting innovation and stepping up international development, notably through external growth operations.”

Patrick François, Chairman & CEO of 2RH Group:

“We are delighted by the prospect of Eurazeo PME, a long-standing shareholder, accompanying us in stepping up our development. The presence of a professional investor such as Eurazeo PME at our side gives us the confidence to envisage new external European, and even global, growth opportunities.”

Angèle Faugier, Member of the Executive Board – Naxicap Partners: “We are delighted to be able to continue the journey alongside senior management and to accompany Eurazeo PME in this new, highly ambitious development phase. After doubling in size between 2015 and 2018, we were keen to lend our support to this next stage, which, furthermore, we shall be doing a longside a new majority shareholder̵ Eurazeo PME.”

 

About Eurazeo PME

Eurazeo PME is an investment firm and subsidiary of Eurazeo dedicated to majority investments in French SMEs with a value of less than €200 million. Eurazeo PME acts as a long-term professional shareholder, providing its portfolio companies with all the financial, organisational, and human resources they need for a sustained transformation, and guides them in creating sustained and, thus, responsible growth. This commitment is formalised and deployed through a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) policy.

In 2017 Eurazeo PME generated consolidated a net income of €1.1 billion and supports the development of Dessange International, Léon de Bruxelles, Péters Surgical, Vignal Lighting Group, Redspher, MK Direct Group, Orolia, Odealim, Smile and In’Tech Medical, which are solidly positioned on their markets and led by experienced management teams.

 

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Hg agrees sale of Intelliflo to Invesco

HG Capital

  • Transaction is the sixth realisation achieved by the Hg Mercury 1 fund.
  • Mercury 1 fund now has a gross realised fund multiple of 3.4x original cost and 44% gross IRR.
  • Represents the 16th realisation across all Hg funds in the last 18 months – returning over £3 billion in aggregate.

6 June 2018 – Hg today announces the sale of Intelliflo, a leading Software as a Service (‘SaaS’) business for UK financial advisors, to Invesco, the Atlanta-based global investment management company.

The terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

Intelliflo is a UK provider of front and back‑office software solutions to financial intermediaries, including IFAs, wealth managers, adviser networks, insurance/life companies and brokers. Intelliflo’s Intelligent Office (“iO”) software platform is the backbone of the UK wealth sector, assisting financial advisors across the full advice journey – including client relationship management, financial planning, client reporting, portfolio valuation and provision of advisor-led automated advice.

Hg partnered with Intelliflo in 2013, in line with its strategy to invest in leading recurring revenue vendors in the financial services software sector. Over the past five years, Hg has supported the company to implement best in class SaaS practices in development, operations, sales and marketing – under the leadership of Nick Eatock, founder, and Hamish Purdey, CEO. The company has experienced a material acceleration of revenue growth in this period and has become the leading technology platform for financial advisors in the UK, successfully supporting the business of around 30% of UK financial advisors.

This is the sixth realisation achieved by the Hg Mercury 1 fund, which has now a gross realised fund multiple of 3.4x original cost and 44% gross IRR. The sale also represents the 16th realisation across all Hg funds in the last 18 months, which have in aggregate returned over £3 billion to clients.

Sebastien Briens, Partner at Hg, said: “During our partnership with Nick, Hamish and the team at Intelliflo we have supported the company to become one of the world’s leading innovators of SaaS technology for the wealth and asset management industry. We are delighted to see them starting a new partnership with Invesco. We will continue our focus on the asset management and wealth sector, having already partnered with several exciting businesses serving this vertical.”

Hamish Purdey, Chief Executive Officer at Intelliflo said: “We would like to thank Hg for all their support since 2013 in getting us to this stage in our development. In a comparatively short space of time, we have built one of the UK’s largest pure-play software as a service businesses, and we now look forward to expanding our business, taking our leading technology into new markets across the globe. We will continue with our open architecture philosophy after the sale – it remains critically important to us that our financial adviser customers continue to be able to select from a wide range of product providers.”

Intelliflo and Hg were advised on this transaction by Evercore, Linklaters and Deloitte.  The management team were advised by Fieldfisher.

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IK Investment Partners to acquire A-Katsastus Group’s operations in Sweden, Poland and the Baltics

ik-investment-partners

IK Investment Partners (“IK”) is pleased to announce that the IK Small Cap II Fund has reached an agreement to acquire Carspect AB, SIA Scantest, Autotest Polska Sp. Z.o.o and A-Ülevaatus OÜ (“the Group”), from A-Katsastus Group Oy, a leading provider of vehicle inspection services in Northern Europe.

With a network of 375 employees and 106 stations, the Group is a leading provider of vehicle inspection services in Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Poland.
Its service offering includes Periodic Technical Inspections (PTI), registration inspections, voluntary checks and related services for passenger cars, light trucks, buses and lorries.

“We are delighted to announce the sale of our non-Finnish activities. A-Katsastus Group, a Bridgepoint portfolio company, was the first company to introduce a customer-oriented service concept in the Swedish vehicle inspection market. We see exciting opportunities in our core Finnish market and developing our presence in both Finnish inspection and damage repair,” said Kari Kivikoski, CEO of A-Katsastus Group.

“IK shares our commitment to providing our customers with the best possible service. Their support allows us to better serve our existing customers while also enhancing our ability to increase the availability of our services geographically,” said Lars Selenius, CEO of Carspect.

“The market for vehicle inspection services is expected to continue to develop over the coming years. The Group has a superior concept with central locations, clean facilities, mobile-friendly websites and strong focus on customer service. By leveraging its strong brands, we believe that we can further strengthen the Group’s position in its chosen markets,” said Kristian Carlsson Kemppinen, Partner at IK Investment Partners.

Financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

For further questions, please contact:

A-Katsastus Group
Kari Kivikoski, CEO
Phone: +358 500 434 912

IK Investment Partners
Kristian Carlsson Kemppinen, Partner
Phone: +46 8 678 9500

Mikaela Hedborg,
Director Communications & ESG
Phone: +44 77 87 573 566
mikaela.hedborg@ikinvest.com

About A-Katsastus Group
A-Katsastus Group is the leading vehicle inspection company in Northern Europe with 273 stations in Finland, Sweden, Poland, Estonia and Latvia. Its main activity is the provision of compulsory vehicle inspections and certifications for all light and heavy motor vehicles over three years of age. It is also licensed to offer statutory drivers’ examinations and is the market leader in vehicle registrations as well as providing related services such as vehicle insurance. For more information, visit www.a-katsastus.com

About IK Investment Partners
IK Investment Partners (“IK”) is a Pan-European private equity firm focused on investments in the Nordics, DACH region, France, and Benelux. Since 1989, IK has raised more than €9.5 billion of capital and invested in over 115 European companies. IK funds support companies with strong underlying potential, partnering with management teams and investors to create robust, well-positioned businesses with excellent long-term prospects. For more information, visit www.ikinvest.com

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EQT Credit provides financing to support the acquisition of Biovian

eqt

EQT Credit, through its Mid-Market investment strategy, is pleased to announce that it has provided the financing to support Keensight Capital and ERES’ (the “Shareholders”) investment in Biovian (or the “Company”), a leading European player in contract manufacturing and development of biopharmaceuticals. The Company offers outsourcing services in process development and contract manufacturing for small and medium size biotechnology firms and has deep industry expertise across different key biological processes.

Founded in 2003 and based in Turku, Finland, Biovian has 70 employees and a strong offering in key stages of the drug development lifecycle. With main operations in UK, EU, US and South Korea, the Company benefits from a strong Biotech pipeline, fueled by new biologic products progressively replacing traditional pharma.

EQT Credit, as sole lender, is providing a unitranche facility to back the Shareholders acquisition of Biovian.

Paul Johnson, Partner at EQT Partners’ Credit team, Investment Advisor to EQT Credit, commented: ”Biovian has a stable business model and a strong backlog supported by its entrenched relationships with customers. EQT Credit is pleased to provide a financing solution for Biovian and look forward to supporting the Company and its management team under the Shareholders new ownership”.

Contacts
Paul Johnson, Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT Mid-Market Credit, +44 203 372 94 24
Alexandre Hökfelt, Director at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT Mid-Market Credit, +44 203 372 94 14
EQT Press Office, +46 8 506 55 334, press@eqtpartners.com

About EQT Credit
EQT Credit invests through three complementary strategies: Senior Debt, Mid-Market Credit (direct lending) and Credit Opportunities. Since inception, EQT Credit has invested in excess of EUR 5 billion in over 160 companies. EQT Credit’s direct lending strategy seeks to provide flexible, long-term debt capital solutions to medium-sized European businesses, across a wide range of sectors. These businesses may be privately-owned corporates seeking alternative funding to grow or be the subject of private equity-led acquisitions or refinancings.

More info: www.eqtpartners.com/Investment-Strategies/Credit

About EQT
EQT is a leading alternative investments firm with approximately EUR 50 billion in raised capital across 27 funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 19 billion and approximately 110,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

More information: www.eqtpartners.com

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Hantverksdata strengthens ownership structure to accelerate growth.

Adelis Equity

Hantverksdata has successfully grown and developed its business in the Nordic region over many years. The digitalization of the building services industry is however happening faster than ever. The company is now strengthening its ownership structure by bringing in Adelis as a majority owner in order to entrench its position as the leading ERP provider in the Nordic Region focused on the building services industry.

Hantverksdata is a leading provider of administrative software developed for craftsmen in the Nordic region. The company is leading within the electricity, HVAC, painting and glass segments with its modular system, but also active within other service and contracting segments such as alarms, flooring, plating, refrigeration, elevators and construction. Hantverksdata has around 4,000 corporate customers and 35,000 users.

“This is a forward-looking move for Hantverksdata to be able to capitalize on the opportunities available to us in the craftsmen industries in the coming years. Adelis has proven experience in developing companies both in the IT and the building services sectors. This makes them the perfect partner for us as we take the next step in building our company. Basically all current owners have chosen to continue as shareholders. This is proof of our strong belief in the future journey for Hantverksdata,” says Mikael Viotti, CEO at Hantverksdata.

“Through its software applications Hantverksdata delivers great value to its customers in an industry that is digitalizing. We are impressed by Hantverksdata’s management team and skilled employees and by the company’s strong development both in Sweden and in other Nordic countries. We are looking forward to supporting Hantverksdata on its growth journey,” says Joel Russ at Adelis.

The board of Hantverksdata will be significantly strengthened in connection with the transaction. Both Anders Böös, previously chairman of IFS, and Petter Håkanson, previously CEO of Assemblin, will join the board.

Anders Böös, incoming chairman of the board at Hantverksdata remarks: “Hantverksdata has through a first-rate product and a well-defined customer offering, built a leading market position. I am excited by the company’s opportunities, and I am looking forward to contributing to its continued growth and expansion.”

For further information:

Hantverksdata: Mikael Viotti,  mikael.viotti@hantverksdata.se, +46 70-389 00 93

Adelis Equity Partners: Joel Russ, joel.russ@adelisequity.com, +46 73-543 30 68

About Hantverksdata

Hantverksdata has more than 45 years of experience of marketing ERP systems to the building services inudstry. Hantverksdata currently has 100 employees in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark and has a turnover of around SEK 165 million. The company has around 4,000 corporate customers and 35,000 users. For further information please visit www.hantverksdata.se.

About Adelis Equity Partners

Adelis is an active partner in creating value at medium sized Nordic companies. Adelis was founded with the goal of building the leading middle market private equity firm in the Nordics. Since raising its first fund in 2013, Adelis has been one of the most active investors in the Nordic middle-market, acquiring 15 platform investments and making more than 40 add-on acquisitions. Adelis now manages approximately €1 billion in capital. For more information please visit www.adelisequity.com.

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