CapMan Infra invests in heat-as-a-service operator and bioenergy producer ProPellet

Capman

CapMan Infra invests in heat-as-a-service operator and bioenergy producer ProPellet

CapMan Nordic Infrastructure II fund invests in ProPellet, a heat-as-a-service (“HaaS”) operator and bioenergy producer. The company offers property-specific HaaS solutions and operates its own pellet fuel production facilities. CapMan Infra aims to support the company’s growth by financing investments in the HaaS operations and expansion into new customer groups and energy technologies.

CapMan Infra has agreed to acquire a majority stake in the heat-as-a-service and bioenergy company ProPellet Oy. The company’s key personnel will continue as minority owners alongside CapMan Infra.

Founded in 2006, ProPellet is Finland’s leading producer of pellet-based bioenergy and now employs about 25 people. The company provides its customers with property-specific heating plants as a service, with a portfolio of over 120 heating sites across Finland. In addition, the company operates its own pellet fuel production facilities in Ylivieska and Tervola, which utilise side streams from the forestry and sawmill industries. ProPellet’s business has experienced strong growth in recent years, particularly due to the ongoing transition from oil-based heating to biofuels.

“We are very pleased with this investment. ProPellet is a company with considerable growth potential, and our aim is to invest in the development of the heating service business as well as support expansion into new energy technologies,” says Pekko Haaksluoto, Partner at CapMan Infra.

“This transaction greatly enhances our capacity to address our customers’ needs. With additional resources and expertise at our disposal, we will be able to serve our customers even better and continue developing innovative, cutting-edge energy solutions. We believe that CapMan is an excellent partner with whom we can take our heat service business to a new level and promote the green transition in the heating sector,” says Timo Peltokorpi, COO of ProPellet.

The transaction is conditional on approval by the competition authorities and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

The CapMan Nordic Infrastructure II fund is an Article 8 fund with a clear sustainability strategy, aiming to create value by accelerating the green transition in its portfolio companies. The fund has already made five investments: two in a growing data centre platform, in solar energy company Skarta Energy, in Napier, a leading provider of transportation infrastructure for the aquaculture industry, and in Haminan Energia’s district heating and electricity network businesses.

CapMan Infra is an active and committed owner, and its activities are based on the operational development and growth of infrastructure companies through additional investments. Based in Helsinki and Stockholm, its team of 14 professionals actively seeks to find the best possible solutions for developing and growing infrastructure together with asset owners, management, personnel and customers.

For more information:

Pekko Haaksluoto, Partner, CapMan Infra, tel. +358 40 584 6031

About CapMan

CapMan is a leading Nordic private asset expert with an active approach to value creation and 6 billion in assets under management. As one of the private equity pioneers in the Nordics we have developed hundreds of companies and assets creating significant value for over three decades. Our objective is to provide attractive returns and innovative solutions to investors by enabling change across our portfolio companies. An example of this is greenhouse gas reduction targets that we have set under the Science Based Targets initiative in line with the 1.5°C scenario and our commitment to net-zero GHG emissions by 2040. We have a broad presence in the unlisted market through our local and specialised teams. Our investment strategies cover real estate and infrastructure assets, natural capital and minority and majority investments in portfolio companies. We also provide wealth management solutions. Our service business includes procurement services. Altogether, CapMan employs around 200 professionals in Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, London and Luxembourg. We are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki since 2001. www.capman.com

Ardian announces sale of stake in Trados to Abertis

Ardian

Ardian invested in Autopista Trados M-45 in 2011 alongside Abertis, a leading international motorway operator headquartered in Spain.
• Trados operates a stretch of the M45 shadow-toll road in Madrid, which connects the South and South-East of the Spanish capital.
• More than 85,000 vehicles per day use the length of M45 shadow-toll road operated by Trados, an increase of 50% since Ardian’s initial investment.

Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, today announces the sale of its 49% stake in Autopista Trados 45 (“Trados”), to Abertis, a leading international motorway operator headquartered in Spain. Abertis was already the majority shareholder in Trados.

Trados is a holding company which oversees investment in a 14.5km stretch of the M45 Madrid ring-road in Spain. The M45 is managed through a concession agreement with the Autonomous Community of Madrid, which was granted in 2019 and runs until 2029. The concessionaire’s remuneration is determined through a shadow toll mechanism, regulated by an inflation-linked revenue cap.

The stretch of road overseen by Trados connects South and South-East Madrid, areas where urban development and economic growth over the last decade has led to a significantly increased volume of traffic. On average, more than 85,000 vehicles per day use this section of the ring-road, an increase of over 50% since Ardian’s initial investment in 2011.

“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work with Trados and its management team. We have supported the company for more than 13 years, including by bringing in initiatives to build operational excellence and by working to optimize the capital structure. We wish the Trados and Abertis management teams every success for the asset’s exciting future.” Juan Angoitia Co-Head of Infrastructure Europe, ARDIAN

ABOUT ARDIAN

Ardian is a world-leading private investment house, managing or advising $169bn of assets on behalf of more than 1,680 clients globally. Our broad expertise, spanning Private Equity, Real Assets and Credit, enables us to offer a wide range of investment opportunities and respond flexibly to our clients’ differing needs. Through Ardian Customized Solutions we create bespoke portfolios that allow institutional clients to specify the precise mix of assets they require and to gain access to funds managed by leading third-party sponsors. Private Wealth Solutions offers dedicated services and access solutions for private banks, family offices and private institutional investors worldwide. Ardian’s main shareholding group is its employees and we place great emphasis on developing its people and fostering a collaborative culture based on collective intelligence. Our 1,050+ employees, spread across 19 offices in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Middle East are strongly committed to the principles of Responsible Investment and are determined to make finance a force for good in society. Our goal is to deliver excellent investment performance combined with high ethical standards and social responsibility.

At Ardian we invest all of ourselves in building companies that last.

Press contact

Ardian

Categories: News

Tags:

Ardian announces sale of stake in LISEA to VINCI Concessions and Meridiam

Ardian

Ardian was a founding partner to LISEA, investing in the company alongside Vinci and Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations at the launch of the tender by Réseaux Ferré de France (now SNCF Réseau) in 2009
• LISEA is the first private company to hold a concession for a high-speed rail line in France
• LISEA has carried 110 million passengers since entering service in 2017, and generated €284 million in revenue in 2023

Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, today announces the sale of its stake in LISEA, the concession holder for the Sud Europe Atlantique High Speed Line (LGV SEA) between Tours and Bordeaux.

LISEA manages the public high-speed rail infrastructure between Tours and Bordeaux, which serves the needs of passengers, customers and the region. The company has contributed to the modernization of France’s rail system and supported the ecological transition, enabling more of France’s rail network to be opened to tender by private operators in future (France’s railways were opened up to competition in 2018. Previously, the SNCF held a monopoly on the French network). LISEA’s concession contract expires in 2061.

Since it entered service in 2017 following five years of construction, the SEA high-speed line has carried more than 110 million passengers and today provides essential connection across the entire Nouvelle Aquitaine region. The service significantly reduces journey times to Paris and provides transport links to European capitals such as London, Brussels and Amsterdam. The Paris-Bordeaux route is the second busiest in France.

Ardian’s Infrastructure team has played a key role in the company’s value creation strategy since 2009. Ardian was actively involved in a €2.2 billion refinancing finalized in 2018, and more recently in an ongoing project to create a maintenance center.

Ardian has also supported LISEA’s efforts to minimize its carbon footprint and the company now expects to be carbon neutral by 2028.

In 2023, LISEA generated revenues of €284 million, a year-on-year increase of 9%. The company is now at a pivotal stage in its development, as it prepares to welcome new operators to the line following the recent opening up of the French rail market to competition.

On 14 November 2024, Ardian and Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations finalized the joint sale of a 26.24% stake in LISEA to Vinci Concessions and Meridiam.

“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work with LISEA and its management team, having supported the company at every strategic stage of its development so far. Having been involved with LISEA for more than 15 years, we have followed the company’s evolution and supported its long-term development. This marks the end of a significant, €7.7 billion multi-year project, which included commissioning the work, introducing new trains to the line, navigating the Covid-19 pandemic and completing a successful tender to become the first private company to hold a concession for a high-speed line. We are confident in the company’s growth potential and wish the entire LISEA management team and its shareholders every success for its exciting future.” Laurent Fayollas, Member of the Executive Committee, Deputy Head of Iinfrastructure, ARDIAN – HY24 President

ABOUT ARDIAN

Ardian is a world-leading private investment house, managing or advising $169bn of assets on behalf of more than 1,680 clients globally. Our broad expertise, spanning Private Equity, Real Assets and Credit, enables us to offer a wide range of investment opportunities and respond flexibly to our clients’ differing needs. Through Ardian Customized Solutions we create bespoke portfolios that allow institutional clients to specify the precise mix of assets they require and to gain access to funds managed by leading third-party sponsors. Private Wealth Solutions offers dedicated services and access solutions for private banks, family offices and private institutional investors worldwide. Ardian’s main shareholding group is its employees and we place great emphasis on developing its people and fostering a collaborative culture based on collective intelligence. Our 1,050+ employees, spread across 19 offices in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Middle East are strongly committed to the principles of Responsible Investment and are determined to make finance a force for good in society. Our goal is to deliver excellent investment performance combined with high ethical standards and social responsibility.

At Ardian we invest all of ourselves in building companies that last.

Media Contacts

ARDIAN

Categories: News

Tags:

Stonepeak to Acquire Boundary Street Capital

Stonepeak

World’s largest independent infrastructure alternative investment manager expands credit, digital infrastructure, and technology investment capabilities

NEW YORK & ALEXANDRIA, Va. – November 12, 2024 – Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets, today announced that it has agreed to acquire Boundary Street Capital, LP (“Boundary Street”), a leading specialist private credit investment manager focused on the digital infrastructure, enterprise infrastructure software, and technology services sectors in the lower middle market. Boundary Street currently has more than $700 million of capital commitments.

Stonepeak’s credit business (“Stonepeak Credit”) has been actively investing in private and secondary infrastructure credit since 2018. Its experienced team of credit professionals takes a disciplined approach to investing across the capital structure as they seek to create a diverse portfolio in the infrastructure and real assets sectors, including digital infrastructure, energy and energy transition, and transport and logistics.

Stonepeak has long been at the forefront of investing in the infrastructure assets underpinning the global megatrend of digitalization currently being driven by data proliferation and the increased adoption of AI. This transaction further strengthens Stonepeak Credit’s digital infrastructure investing capabilities and supports its expansion into complementary sub-sectors, including enterprise and infrastructure software, cloud and managed services, technology-enabled services, advanced mobility, and earlier stage digital infrastructure platforms. With the addition of Boundary Street’s platform and team of experienced professionals who have deep credit and technology sector expertise, Stonepeak will seek to offer a more comprehensive set of credit and credit-linked capital solutions to businesses taking advantage of the strong tailwinds in the digital infrastructure and technology services sectors across multiple stages of the growth lifecycle.

Jack Howell, Co-President of Stonepeak, said, “We continue to see compelling investment opportunities within the credit space, especially as it relates to digital infrastructure, which has long been one of Stonepeak’s most active sectors. Over the last several years, we’ve made thoughtful investments to further build out our credit platform, including the addition of Michael Leitner as a Senior Managing Director in 2023. As we have built out the broader credit organization and successfully deployed capital across the capital stack into world-class infrastructure portfolio companies, the team has continued to excel. The acquisition of Boundary Street is a natural next step in the growth of the firm and the evolution of Stonepeak Credit. We are excited for what this transaction means for our limited partners and look forward to having the Boundary Street team onboard.”

Michael Leitner, Senior Managing Director at Stonepeak, added, “Boundary Street has assembled an exceptional team who have been investing in digital infrastructure and related technology services businesses since the mid-2000s. By combining Stonepeak’s expertise and resources with the Boundary Street team’s complementary experience and skillsets, we will have the ability to broaden our investment aperture and execute more efficiently on the opportunities we’re seeing in AI-driven businesses, including cloud services, enterprise and infrastructure software, and digital services, while bringing a more comprehensive breadth of offerings to our constituent borrowers and limited partners.”

Rashad Kawmy, Partner and Co-Founder at Boundary Street, said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Stonepeak to achieve the full scale of our vision for Boundary Street, and to continue being a strong partner to all of our stakeholders. As an early mover investor in digital infrastructure, Stonepeak knows the space extremely well and their expertise will be additive to our strategy. With the benefits of Stonepeak’s scale, resources, and shared passion for digital infrastructure, we will be even better positioned to continue making sound and thoughtful credit investments and helping grow tomorrow’s greatest technology businesses and digital infrastructure platforms. Our focus on both real asset intensive business models as well as those with exceptionally strong and defensible intellectual property foundations will continue in partnership with Stonepeak.”

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024 subject to customary and regulatory approvals.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as legal counsel to Stonepeak. Hogan Lovells served as legal counsel to Boundary Street.

About Stonepeak

Stonepeak is a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets with approximately $70 billion of assets under management. Through its investment in defensive, hard-asset businesses globally, Stonepeak aims to create value for its investors and portfolio companies, with a focus on downside protection and strong risk-adjusted returns. Stonepeak, as sponsor of private equity and credit investment vehicles, provides capital, operational support, and committed partnership to grow investments in its target sectors, which include communications, energy and energy transition, transport and logistics, and real estate. Stonepeak is headquartered in New York with offices in Houston, London, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, and Abu Dhabi. For more information, please visit www.stonepeak.com.

About Boundary Street Capital

Boundary Street is a private credit investment manager focused on providing flexible capital solutions specifically to lower middle market technology and telecommunications businesses and backed by a team of investment professionals with decades of experience investing in these sectors. Boundary Street seeks to invest credit in durable, recurring revenue businesses providing the mission critical services that will drive economic growth, bridge the digital divide, and keep families and businesses connected. To learn more, visit www.boundarystreetcapital.com.

Contacts
Kate Beers / Maya Brounstein
corporatecomms@stonepeak.com
+1 (646) 540-5225

Categories: News

Tags:

Equistone portfolio company BUKO Traffic & Safety expands into the German market with acquisition of BVT Bremer Verkehrstechnik

Equistone

BUKO Traffic & Safety (“BUKO”), a leading provider of outsourced traffic and safety management solutions in the Netherlands and the UK, has acquired BVT Bremer Verkehrstechnik GmbH (“BVT”). The acquisition marks BUKO’s expansion into Germany, a key strategic growth market, and follows the company’s expansion into the UK market earlier this year through the acquisition of Road Traffic Solutions Ltd. (RTS). The parties have agreed not to disclose details of the transaction.

Headquartered in Barendrecht, the Netherlands, BUKO Traffic & Safety employs over 450 people and successfully oversees thousands of projects annually. A leading provider of outsourced traffic and safety management solutions in its home market of the Netherlands, the company consists of the two business units BUKO Infrasupport and BUKO Waakt. Founded in 1991, BUKO Infrasupport specialises in temporary traffic management solutions. With its comprehensive portfolio of services – from design, planning, approval, deployment and collection, as well as onsite management of road signage, safety equipment required for roadworks and also an innovative range of digital traffic management solutions – BUKO Infrasupport primarily serves contractors and public authorities, active in utility-related and urban/rural roadworks. BUKO Waakt provides temporary remote security solutions with a focus on camera surveillance, intrusion detection systems and access control systems, which are used principally on construction sites.

Since funds advised by Equistone acquired a majority stake in BUKO in February 2023, the company has pursued a growth strategy focused on building its presence in its home market and targeted expansion into neighbouring countries supported by strong market dynamics. In March 2024, BUKO established a foothold in the attractive UK market with the acquisition of RTS, a temporary traffic and event management solutions specialist, operating from seven locations and employing 175 people.

By establishing a presence in Germany, the acquisition of BVT represents the next milestone in BUKO’s growth strategy. Headquartered in Stuhr (near Bremen), BVT provides high-quality temporary traffic management services to a diverse customer base of contractors, local authorities and event organisers. In recent years, BVT has grown into a go-to partner for customers in the region by combining a focus on low-speed traffic situations with a strong service proposition. BVT currently operates from three locations and has 75 employees.

“We are excited to partner with BVT for our entry into the German market. There is a strong fit between BVT and BUKO in terms of strategic focus, culture and shared ambitions for the future.”, says Robert Emmerich, CEO at BUKO. “This partnership marks our entry into Germany, and we are determined to significantly expand our presence over the coming years.”

“After successfully entering the UK market earlier this year, BVT represents an ideal partner for BUKO as it now enters the German market. We are excited to help BUKO realise its international growth ambitions via a targeted buy-and-build strategy which will enable the company to replicate its exceptional track record in the Netherlands in new markets,” says Tanja Berg, Director in Equistone’s Munich office.

The Equistone team includes Hubert van Wolfswinkel, Tanja Berg and Josh Aalbers. BUKO was advised on the transaction by PwC (Financial & Tax), De Angelis (Legal), Roland Berger (Commercial) and Rautenberg (M&A).

Categories: News

Tags:

French digital company successfully raises €5.8 billion of credit facilities

Omers Infrastructure

October 16, 2024 – OMERS, along with other shareholders Altice, Allianz and AXA IM Alts, is pleased to announce that XpFibre, one of our digital assets in France, has successfully raised €5.8 billion of credit facilities, marking one of the largest multi-sourced transactions in the European digital infrastructure market to date.

XpFibre is the largest independent Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) operators in France delivering high speed internet to approximately 25% of the French territory in terms of homes passed.

The financing has been structured to achieve an Investment Grade rating by S&P and DBRS, facilitating both European institutional term loan and US Private Placement investor participation as part of a global, cross-border private placement process. The re-financing attracted large liquidity from long-term institutional creditors in addition to a group of leading infrastructure bank lenders.

Alastair Hall, Head of Europe, OMERS Infrastructure, said: “This refinancing is a vote of confidence in the strength of XpFibre. As the company’s rollout phase nears completion, now is the right time to put in place a capital structure that reflects XpFibre’s highly resilient business model, predictable cash flow and robust financial profile as well as supporting its continued rollout to customers. Congratulations to everyone involved.”

About OMERS Infrastructure OMERS Infrastructure manages infrastructure investments globally on behalf of OMERS, the defined benefit pension plan for municipal employees in the Province of Ontario, Canada, and third-party investors through its Strategic Partnership Program. OMERS Infrastructure manages approximately C$36 billion, including capital invested on behalf of OMERS and third parties, in approximately 30 investments located in North America, Western Europe, India and Australia, and across sectors including energy, digital and transportation. OMERS Infrastructure has employees in Toronto, New York, London, Amsterdam, Singapore and Sydney.

OMERS Infrastructure & digital

Digital, as one of OMERS Infrastructure’s priority sectors alongside Energy and Transportation, is a significant and growing focus area for our business globally. Digital investments have been a priority for the OMERS Infrastructure team for most of the last decade with OMERS inaugural transaction, the acquisition of an interest in XpFibre in France (announced in Q4 2018). The XpFibre platform has grown from c.1.5m homes passed and 0.3m homes connected at the end of 2018 to over 7.0m homes passed and c.3.8m homes connected today. Since the acquisition of XpFibre, OMERS exposure to the sector has expanded to new sub-sectors and geographies through investments in Deutsche Glasfaser, a German broadband business, Waveconn, an Australian telecom towers platform (a new business we combined after the acquisitions of TPG’s towers business and the company Stilmark), and Beanfield, a Canadian broadband company.

Categories: News

Tags:

FIELDS Team Approach Companies News Contact ESG JARO Group strengthens its position in cable infrastructure with the acquisition of BeKaBe Bekabeling, together with investor FIELDS Group

Fields Group

JARO Group, a leading civil and cultural engineering group active in the ground, road, and water construction sector, has acquired BeKaBe Bekabeling B.V. (BeKaBe) as of September 30, 2024. BeKaBe conducts above-ground and underground cable projects for a variety of clients. With this acquisition, JARO Group expands its capacity in cable infrastructure, enabling the group to better serve its customers. JARO Group was supported in the acquisition by investor FIELDS Group, a partner that came on board in March 2024 to actively assist JARO Group in implementing its growth strategy.

 

Acquisition combines strengths and offers growth opportunities

“By adding their years of expertise, we strengthen our cable infrastructure capacity, where we are already active within the group through EZW Infra & Energie B.V. We look forward to building a shared future together with the BeKaBe team,” said Gerrit Kalkman from JARO. “The acquisition of BeKaBe aligns well with our strategy to be a leading multidisciplinary player in the ground, road, and water construction market,” added Fabianne Onderwater, Investment Director at FIELDS Group.

Mike Blansjaar from BeKaBe stated: “With this step, we secure the continuity of the company, BeKaBe can benefit from the advantages of the group, and it has a partner to facilitate further growth. A true win-win situation.”

 

About JARO Group

JARO Group is a multidisciplinary player in the ground, road, and water construction sector, active throughout the Netherlands. The group consists of several different companies: JARO (infrastructure/civil works, cultural engineering and dredging, emergency services, and winter maintenance), EZW Energie & Infra (infrastructure projects focused on underground cables and pipelines), CSW (civil engineering services for industry), Huijbregts Infra (infrastructure projects and cultural engineering work, particularly in the Brabant region), Reijm (cultural engineering work and landscaping), and HT Infra (active in infrastructure/civil engineering work), both active in the Rijnmond/Greater Rotterdam region.

www.jarogroup.com

 

About BeKaBe

BeKaBe Bekabeling was founded in 1996 and delivers cable work throughout the Netherlands from its office in Vlaardingen. The company specializes in above-ground and underground cable work, fiber optic and data networks, high voltage cable work, directional drilling, and earthworks.

www.bekabe.nl

 

About FIELDS Group

FIELDS Group is an entrepreneurial, hands-on investor focused on developing companies with potential. FIELDS Group invests in companies headquartered in the Benelux and DACH regions and realizes fundamental transformations with its team.

www.fields.nl

Categories: News

Tags:

KKR Acquires Leading Near-Airport Parking Provider, The Parking Spot, from Green Courte Partners

Green Courte Partners

New York, NY & Chicago, IL (October 8, 2024) – KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced that KKR has acquired The Parking Spot (“TPS” or the “Company”), the nation’s leading owner and operator of near-airport parking properties, from an affiliate of Green Courte Partners, LLC, a private equity real estate investment firm. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1998, TPS is the preeminent provider of near-airport parking operations in the U.S., with 47 strategically located parking properties across the country servicing customers traveling from all major airports. Its facilities are designed to deliver convenient, affordable, and hassle-free transitions to and from airport terminals, and feature a range of parking options as well as reliable and recognizable shuttle services. TPS’s accomplished management team will continue to lead the Company.

“The Parking Spot has demonstrated a compelling track record of growth and delivery of a high-quality offering to travelers that aligns well with our investment philosophy,” said Dash Lane, Partner at KKR. “With its strong and established platform, well-known industry brand, and superior customer service, TPS is recognized as an industry leader. Above all, we are strong believers in the TPS management team and their vision, along with the employees who have contributed meaningfully to the Company’s success. We are eager to work with them to further build on their impressive performance and capitalize on the numerous growth opportunities that lie ahead.”

Braden Rudolph, Chief Operating Officer of Green Courte, said, “We are proud of Green Courte’s contributions to the TPS platform throughout our ownership period, during which we expanded TPS’s footprint through acquisitions and ground-up developments from a 17-property portfolio in 2011 to 47 facilities today. Through our strategic partnership with TPS, we developed proprietary technology and a data-driven platform to enhance TPS’s value proposition while the team continued to deliver best-in-class customer service. We look forward to furthering our strong relationship with TPS and KKR as we continue to own 15 near-airport parking facilities that are currently operated by The Parking Spot.  Green Courte remains committed to investment in the near-airport parking sector.”

“Today marks a significant milestone for The Parking Spot and reinforces our position as the premier choice for travelers seeking convenient and reliable near-airport parking. KKR’s industry knowledge and substantial resources will be instrumental as we continue to grow our core business and enhance our market leadership,” said Tim O’Malley, President and Chief Executive Officer at TPS. “We are also grateful to Green Courte for their unwavering support over the years, which has been fundamental to our success. Their strategic partnership has set the stage for this exciting new chapter with KKR.”

KKR made this investment through its Global Infrastructure Strategy. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as financial advisor to KKR and Simpson Thacher Bartlett served as legal advisor to KKR. Evercore served as financial advisor to Green Courte and DLA Piper served as legal advisor to Green Courte.

 

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.

About Green Courte Partners, LLC

Green Courte Partners, LLC is a Chicago-based private equity real estate investment firm focused on building industry-leading companies within niche real estate sectors, including active-adult/independent senior living properties, land-lease communities, near-airport parking facilities, and truck storage properties. The firm combines focused investment strategies with a disciplined approach to transaction execution, operations, and asset management. Green Courte’s goal is to invest in high-quality real estate assets that will generate attractive risk-adjusted returns over a long-term holding period. For additional information, please visit Green Courte’s website at www.GreenCourtePartners.com.

About The Parking Spot

As the nation’s leading near-airport parking company, with 47 convenient locations at 28 major U.S. airports, TPS makes airport travel simple and seamless. Friendly, courteous team members, outstanding value, an unmatched customer service commitment, and our industry-leading Spot Club loyalty program combine to ensure that TPS is the best part of our guests’ travel experience. For more information, please visit www.theparkingspot.com, or follow TPS on Instagram @theparkingspotofficial and on Facebook.

For media inquiries, please contact Marnie Helfand at (312) 966-4747 or MarnieHelfand@GreenCourtePartners.com

Categories: News

Tags:

KKR Acquires Leading Near-Airport Parking Provider, The Parking Spot, from Green Courte Partners

KKR

NEW YORK & CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced that KKR has acquired The Parking Spot (“TPS” or the “Company”), the nation’s leading owner and operator of near-airport parking properties, from an affiliate of Green Courte Partners, LLC, a private equity real estate investment firm. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1998, TPS is the preeminent provider of near-airport parking operations in the U.S., with 47 strategically located parking properties across the country servicing customers traveling from all major airports. Its facilities are designed to deliver convenient, affordable, and hassle-free transitions to and from airport terminals, and feature a range of parking options as well as reliable and recognizable shuttle services. TPS’s accomplished management team will continue to lead the Company.

“The Parking Spot has demonstrated a compelling track record of growth and delivery of a high-quality offering to travelers that aligns well with our investment philosophy,” said Dash Lane, Partner at KKR. “With its strong and established platform, well-known industry brand, and superior customer service, TPS is recognized as an industry leader. Above all, we are strong believers in the TPS management team and their vision, along with the employees who have contributed meaningfully to the Company’s success. We are eager to work with them to further build on their impressive performance and capitalize on the numerous growth opportunities that lie ahead.”

Braden Rudolph, Chief Operating Officer of Green Courte, said, “We are proud of Green Courte’s contributions to the TPS platform throughout our ownership period, during which we expanded TPS’s footprint through acquisitions and ground-up developments from a 17-property portfolio in 2011 to 47 facilities today. Through our strategic partnership with TPS, we developed proprietary technology and a data-driven platform to enhance TPS’s value proposition while the team continued to deliver best-in-class customer service. We look forward to furthering our strong relationship with TPS and KKR as we continue to own 15 near-airport parking facilities that are currently operated by The Parking Spot. Green Courte remains committed to investment in the near-airport parking sector.”

“Today marks a significant milestone for The Parking Spot and reinforces our position as the premier choice for travelers seeking convenient and reliable near-airport parking. KKR’s industry knowledge and substantial resources will be instrumental as we continue to grow our core business and enhance our market leadership,” said Tim O’Malley, President and Chief Executive Officer at TPS. “We are also grateful to Green Courte for their unwavering support over the years, which has been fundamental to our success. Their strategic partnership has set the stage for this exciting new chapter with KKR.”

KKR made this investment through its Global Infrastructure Strategy. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as financial advisor to KKR and Simpson Thacher Bartlett served as legal advisor to KKR. Evercore served as financial advisor to Green Courte and DLA Piper served as legal advisor to Green Courte.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.

About Green Courte Partners, LLC

Green Courte Partners, LLC is a Chicago-based private equity real estate investment firm focused on building industry-leading companies within niche real estate sectors, including active-adult/independent senior living properties, land-lease communities, near-airport parking facilities, and truck storage properties. The firm combines focused investment strategies with a disciplined approach to transaction execution, operations, and asset management. Green Courte’s goal is to invest in high-quality real estate assets that will generate attractive risk-adjusted returns over a long-term holding period. For additional information, please visit Green Courte’s website at www.GreenCourtePartners.com.

About The Parking Spot

As the nation’s leading near-airport parking company, with 47 convenient locations at 28 major U.S. airports, TPS makes airport travel simple and seamless. Friendly, courteous team members, outstanding value, an unmatched customer service commitment, and our industry-leading Spot Club loyalty program combine to ensure that TPS is the best part of our guests’ travel experience. For more information, please visit www.theparkingspot.com, or follow TPS on Instagram @theparkingspotofficial and on Facebook.

KKR
Liidia Liuksila
(212) 750-8300
media@kkr.com

Green Courte Partners
Marnie Helfand
(312) 966-4747
marniehelfand@greencourtepartners.com

Source: KKR

 

Categories: News

Tags:

F2i and Finavias sell their entire shareholding in 2i Rete Gas, Italy’s second-largest natural gas distribution operator, to Italgas

Ardian

F2i and Finavias have signed an agreement for the sale of 2i Rete Gas, Italy’s second-largest natural gas distribution operator, to Italgas. F2i currently holds 63.9% of 2i Rete Gas and Finavias, a corporate vehicle owned by APG Asset Management and funds managed by Ardian, holds the remaining 36.1%.

This agreement follows an exclusivity negotiation period granted to Italgas by the sellers last May. The transfer of shares is subject to approval by the relevant authorities and is expected to take place in the first part of 2025.

The agreement assigns 2i Rete Gas an equity value of EUR 2.06 billion as at 31 December 2023.

Under F2i’s leadership and with the full support of APG and Ardian, the company has embarked on a significant growth trajectory expanding its number of users from 1.9 million to 4.9 million, and currently manages a network exceeding 72 thousand kilometers, with over 2,200 concessions operated by a workforce of 2,200 individuals. This expansion was achieved through strategic acquisitions, development of the networks operated, and successful participation in the few tenders offered for concession renewals.

“The sale of 2i Rete Gas marks the conclusion of an important journey in which F2i has played a leading role. 2i Rete Gas is now established as a major national operator that is both efficient in scale and technological expertise and has transformed the ownership structure of a historically fragmented sector. The efficiency achieved by 2i Rete Gas has contributed to a gradual reduction in gas distribution tariffs, benefiting the entire national community. The merger with Italgas completes this journey. F2i and its investors thank the management team and everyone at 2i Rete Gas who, over the years, have contributed to the company’s industrial growth, achieving high standards of service and safety.” Renato Ravanelli, CEO of F2I SGR

“We are proud to have been part of 2i Rete Gas’s history since the beginning, and to have contributed to the growth and consolidation of the company into a national champion in energy infrastructure. In addition to this, we are pleased to have contributed, since 2018 alongside APG, to positioning 2i Rete Gas as a key player in the path towards Italy’s energy transition. We thank F2i and the management team for their mutual support during these years and wish Italgas every success for the future.” Rosario Mazza, Senior Managing Director and Head of Infrastructure Italy, Ardian

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton acted as legal advisor to F2i and Finavias and Studio Di Tanno as fiscal advisor. Studio Chiomenti assisted Finavias as legal advisor.

ABOUT F2I SGR

F2i SGR is Italy’s largest independent infrastructure fund manager, with assets under management, between equity and debt, of approximately EUR 8.2 billion. The companies in F2i’s network make up Italy’s main infrastructure platform, spanning six key sectors of the national economy such as transport and logistics, energy for transition, circular economy, distribution networks, telecommunications networks and services, and social-healthcare infrastructure. Led by its CEO Renato Ravanelli, F2i, through its subsidiaries, has about 24,000 employees whose work allows millions of people to use services and infrastructure that are essential for daily life. F2i SGR’s key shareholders include financial institutions, including banking foundations, domestic and foreign social security and pension funds, domestic and international asset managers and sovereign wealth funds. The funds managed by F2i SGR are subscribed by leading Italian and foreign institutions. F2i participates in the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its approach based on responsible business principles.

ABOUT ARDIAN

Ardian is a world-leading private investment house, managing or advising $169bn of assets on behalf of more than 1,680 clients globally. Our broad expertise, spanning Private Equity, Real Assets and Credit, enables us to offer a wide range of investment opportunities and respond flexibly to our clients’ differing needs. Through Ardian Customized Solutions we create bespoke portfolios that allow institutional clients to specify the precise mix of assets they require and to gain access to funds managed by leading third-party sponsors. Private Wealth Solutions offers dedicated services and access solutions for private banks, family offices and private institutional investors worldwide. Ardian is majority-owned by its employees and places great emphasis on developing its people and fostering a collaborative culture based on collective intelligence. Our1,050+ employees, spread across 16 offices in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Middle East are strongly committed to the principles of Responsible Investment and are determined to make finance a force for good in society. Our goal is to deliver excellent investment performance combined with high ethical standards and social responsibility.
At Ardian we invest all of ourselves in building companies that last.

ABOUT APG

APG Group is the world’s largest independent pension fund manager with pension assets of c.€569 billion (as of December 2023) representing 4.6 million participants in the Netherlands, with main offices in Amsterdam, New York, and Hong Kong.
On behalf of its clients (all of which are pension funds), APG has been an active infrastructure investor since 2004, investing a total of c.€27 billion to date. APG’s investments include assets within transport infrastructure, energy, utilities, telecommunications and social.

Media contacts

Ardian

F2I SGR

Laura Sisti

Laura.sisti@axel-comm.it+39 347 4282170