EQT Infrastructure II to acquire CHEP Aerospace Solutions from Brambles

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EQT Infrastructure II to acquire the global leader in pooling, management, maintenance and repair of unit load devices for the aviation industry

Existing leadership team to remain in place and CHEP Aerospace Solutions to be rebranded to have its own unique identity

EQT Infrastructure committed to actively support the development of CHEP Aerospace Solutions through an industrial board of directors including senior leaders with aviation expertise

EQT Infrastructure II (“EQT Infrastructure” or “EQT”) has announced today to acquire CHEP Aerospace Solutions (the “Company”) from Brambles, a global supply-chain logistics provider. CHEP Aerospace Solutions is the global leader in pooling, management, maintenance and repair of unit load devices (ULDs) for the aviation industry. ULDs are containers and pallets used for transportation of cargo and baggage on aircraft and constitute a mission critical part of the aviation infrastructure.

CHEP Aerospace Solutions was established by Brambles in 2011 following the acquisition and integration of four leading ULD solutions companies. Through subsequent acquisitions and Brambles’ pooling expertise, the Company has become the global leader in pooling, management, maintenance and repair of ULDs for the aviation industry. Today, the Company generates around USD 80 million in revenues, owns and manages approximately 100,000 ULDs, and serves more than 90 airlines across an unparalleled network of 48 global services centers and 420 airports, supported by over 550 expert team members. EQT will support the continued development of CHEP Aerospace Solutions and will actively assist the company in capturing new growth opportunities.

The existing CHEP Aerospace leadership team will remain in place and will continue to focus on providing its world class customer service and delivering the very best solutions that create sustainable value for its clients. The Company is headquartered in Switzerland, along with regional operations centers in the United Kingdom, Thailand and the USA, in addition to global services centers in Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas. As part of the transaction, CHEP Aerospace Solutions will eventually be rebranded to have its own unique identity.

CHEP Aerospace Solutions President, Dr. Ludwig Bertsch, said: “We would like to place on record our thanks to the Brambles team whose support and expertise has enabled us to develop the world’s leading ULD management network. We are excited to join EQT Infrastructure, one of the world’s most respected infrastructure funds, which combines the very best people with the industry expertise in infrastructure management that will allow us to continue to grow and provide smarter solutions and unparalleled customer service to the aviation industry.”

Ulrich Köllensperger, Director at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure, said: “CHEP Aerospace Solutions provides critical infrastructure and services to the aviation industry and fits well with the EQT Infrastructure strategy of investing in medium sized operating infrastructure companies with opportunities for additional growth and development. The Company has a proven business model, an impressive customer base and a promising pipeline of prospective airline clients. The industrial board of directors including senior leaders with aviation expertise will support CHEP Aerospace Solutions in growing its asset base and offer pooling, management, maintenance and repair to more airlines globally.”

Tom Gorman, CEO of Brambles, said: “The launch of CHEP Aerospace Solutions in 2011 was part of Brambles’ strategy of leveraging its asset management and supply chain expertise to deliver value to customers across new industry verticals. Over the past five years, we have built a highly successful global business that now partners many of the world’s leading airlines. We are confident that the future growth of the Aerospace business will be well served under the ownership of EQT Infrastructure which has a dedicated focus on infrastructure and related services, with a proven track record of success. On behalf of everyone at Brambles, I would like to thank the CHEP Aerospace Solutions team for their commitment to becoming the industry-leaders they are today and we wish them every success for the future.”

The transaction is expected to close during November 2016.

Contacts:

Ulrich Köllensperger, Director at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure, +41 44 266 6800

Kerstin Danasten, EQT Press Contact, +46 8 506 55 334

About EQT

EQT is a leading global private equity group with approximately EUR 30 billion in raised capital. EQT Funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 15 billion and approximately 100,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

For further information, please visit: www.eqtpartners.com

About CHEP Aerospace Solutions

CHEP Aerospace Solutions owns and manages the world’s largest independent fleet of approximately 100,000 unit load devices (ULDs), for use in the aviation industry, and owns the largest global network for the maintenance and repair of ULDs and galley carts. The company focuses on the outsourced management and associated services for aviation containers, pallets and inflight food service equipment, and serves over 90 airlines through a network of more than 420 airports, 14 regional offices and 48 certified repair stations, supported by more than 550 colleagues.

For further information, please visit www.chep.com/aerospace

About Brambles

Brambles Limited (ASX: BXB) is a supply-chain logistics company operating primarily through the CHEP and IFCO brands. Brambles enhances performance for customers by helping them transport goods through their supply chains more efficiently, sustainably and safely. The Group’s primary activity is the provision of reusable unit-load equipment such as pallets, crates and containers for shared use by multiple participants throughout the supply chain, under a model known as “pooling”. Brambles primarily serves the fast-moving consumer goods (e.g. dry food, grocery, and health and personal care), fresh produce, beverage, retail and general manufacturing industries, counting many of the world’s best-known brands among its customers. The Group also operates specialist container logistics businesses serving the automotive, aerospace and oil and gas sectors. Brambles has its headquarters in Sydney, Australia, but operates in more than 60 countries, with its largest operations in North America and Western Europe. Brambles employs more than 14,500 people and owns more than 550 million pallets, crates and containers through a network of more than 850 service centres.

For further information, please visit www.brambles.com

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PAI Partners and ADB Airfield Solutions to acquire SafeGate from Fairford Group

PAI Partners

PAI Partners (“PAI”), a leading European private equity firm, and ADB Airfield Solutions (“ADB”), a global airfield lighting solutions provider, today announce the acquisition of Safegate International AB (“Safegate”), from Fairford Group (“Fairford”).

PAI Partners and ADB Airfield Solutions to acquire Safegate from Fairford Group

PAI Partners (“PAI”), a leading European private equity firm, and ADB Airfield Solutions (“ADB”), a global airfield lighting solutions provider, today announce the acquisition of Safegate International AB (“Safegate”), from Fairford Group (“Fairford”).

Safegate is a leading airfield solutions business providing aircraft docking guidance systems, gate management systems, airfield lighting solutions and air traffic control systems to more than 1,300 airports in 130 countries. Thanks to its pioneering R&D capabilities, Safegate delivers integrated, technology-driven solutions to help airports meet increasing demand for safe, efficient and environmentally-friendly airfield operations. Safegate is headquartered in Malmö, Sweden, has more than 300 employees worldwide and generated revenue of SEK 1.3 billion in 2015.
Fairford, the private investment company of the Osseiran Family Trust, has a range of investments across Europe, predominantly in Sweden and the United Kingdom. Fairford has owned Safegate since 1991 and under Fairford’s ownership, Safegate has developed from being a business with docking guidance systems and airfield lighting technologies into a world leader in airfield passenger throughput technologies.

Laurent Rivoire and Ragnar Hellenius, Partners at PAI, said:
“This is a very exciting moment. Through this combination between PAI-owned ADB and Safegate, we are creating the world leader in advanced airfield guidance systems, from aircraft landing to parking. Thanks to its scale, cumulative experience and innovation capabilities, ADB Safegate will be well positioned to assist airports in dealing with traffic expansion in absolute safety. We look forward to the successful development of the new ADB Safegate group.”

Christian Onselaere, CEO of ADB, said:
“At ADB we are excited and looking forward to team up with Safegate. ADB can build on 69 years of experience in the airfield lighting market. We have grown from a product supplier to a leader in turnkey solutions and services for the airside. The new combination will create a true expert in products, solutions and services from the airside over the gate to the tower. Our company ADB Safegate will use its power of innovation and global reach to offer best-in-class solutions that help airports meet the growing challenges of higher traffic throughput, the need for more efficiency and sustainable growth.”
Bengt A. Dahl, Chairman of Fairford, and Salah Osseiran, Director of Fairford, said:
“We have been proud owners of Safegate for 25 years. Under Fairford’s ownership, Safegate has remained at the forefront of technological innovation, strengthened its solutions offering and dramatically expanded its geographic footprint across the globe. Today, Safegate is associated with some of the world’s leading airports and has established itself as a leading innovator in its core markets. The Safegate success story is testament to its world class management team and we would like to thank everyone at Safegate for their hard work and entrepreneurial spirit. We wish Safegate all the best in its partnership with PAI and ADB and look forward to seeing it continue to grow from strength to strength.”

Per-Olof Hammarlund, CEO of Safegate, said:
“Together with Fairford, we have built a premier global airfield solutions provider with a track-record of growth, excellence and innovation. We are thankful to Fairford for their constant support over so many years. We look forward to the partnership with PAI and ADB to deliver the next chapter of our story, as we continue to pursue our vision of becoming the world leader in integrated airfield solutions. Safegate’s culture of entrepreneurship and innovation runs deep in our organisation and we are excited to work with partners who share our values. Our clients and employees stand to benefit from a broader platform of airfield solutions, greater global reach and continued focus on growth.”

Evercore and deNovo Corporate Advisors acted as financial advisors and Ashurst acted as legal advisor to Fairford. Rothschild acted as financial advisor to PAI.

About ADB

The ADB Group comprises ADB Airfield Solutions, LUCEBIT and ERNI AGL, three world-leading airfield technology companies specializing in end-to-end, integrated and sustainable solutions for visual guidance. Our innovative approach, SmartExpansion Path, leverages our turnkey expertise to help our customers prioritize their airport expansion plans and overcome growth stress by addressing eight domains of airside operations. These cover the complete airside cycle from Traffic Management, AGL Audit, Design, Products and Solutions to Systems Integration, Services and Project Management, and Training and Maintenance.
With a worldwide presence and experience spanning 69 years in airfield lighting, we’re at the forefront of LED lighting and offer a complete portfolio that sets new standards in safety, performance, quality, and customer service. More than 2000 airports in 175 countries have chosen ADB as their preferred partner for airside operations.
For more information about ADB, please visit our website at www.adb-air.com

About Fairford

Fairford is an active and value-adding investor seeking to invest in privately owned companies in Sweden and the UK. Through long term engagement, sustainable operational improvements and clear strategic positioning Fairford aims to create a portfolio of leading companies in their respective markets. Headquartered in Östersund, Sweden with offices in Stockholm and London, Fairford is a private investment company owned by the Osseiran Family Trust.
For further information about Fairford please visit our website: www.fairfordholdings.com

About PAI Partners

PAI is a leading European private equity firm with offices in Paris, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Munich and Stockholm. PAI manages €8.1 billion of dedicated buyout funds. Since 1994, PAI has completed 58 LBO transactions in 11 countries, representing c. €40 billion in transaction value. PAI is characterised by its industrial approach to ownership combined with its sector-based organisation. PAI provides portfolio companies with the financial and strategic support required to pursue their development and enhance strategic value creation.
For further information about PAI: www.paipartners.com

About Safegate

Safegate Group offers a complete range of integrated intelligent solutions for the airside, tower and gate for increased safety, efficiency and environmental benefits to airports around the world. The company was founded in 1973 and has its headquarters in Malmö, Sweden. Acquisitions include Thorn Airfield Lighting, Idman Airfield Lighting and Liberty Airport Systems with more than 40 years of experience in the design and implementation of airfield lighting solutions, and Avibit, a leading provider of integrated solutions for air traffic control. www.safegate.com.

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