Deals
Russia and CIS-focused private equity business Elbrus Capital closed two important transactions at the end of May 2017, with both expected to be value accretive, improve investment returns and exit prospects for the firm’s investors.
The firm advised on the successfully completed merger of SPSR Express and DPD Russia, the two leading courier companies in Russia. The combined company will become the largest express logistics operator in Russia with a nationwide infrastructure, unparalleled competencies in all areas of logistics, a unique team of experts and enhanced customer offering. GeoPost, a subsidiary of La Poste, a postal service company in France,
Eurazeo, in partnership with West Street Capital Partners VII, a fund managed by the Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division (GS MBD), has completed the acquisition of Dominion Web Solutions (DWS), an integrated platform of branded marketplaces and digital marketing solutions for the powersport, RV, commercial truck and equipment industries.
Eurazeo and GS MBD reached an agreement in May 2017 to purchase the company. Eurazeo’s total investment is USD226 million for a 50 per cent equity stake.
This completes Eurazeo’s first investment in the US since opening its North America headquarters in September 2016.
Scopely, a free-to-play interactive entertainment network, has raised USD60 million in a Series C financing led by Revolution Growth, which is helmed by former AOL executives, Steve Case, Donn Davis, and Ted Leonsis.
Revolution Growth Managing Partner Donn Davis will join Scopely’s Board; additional investors in the round include Greenspring Associates, Sands Capital Ventures, Cross Creek Advisors, and Pritzker Group Venture Capital. Scopely, which has grown its revenues by nine-fold over the past nine quarters, will use the funds for strategic investments, commercial partnerships and acquisitions.
“Closing less than 12 months after our Series B financing, Scopely’s new USD60M
Smart bike-sharing company Mobike has raised over USD600 million in a new round of financing led by existing investor Tencent, plus Sequoia, TPG, and Hillhouse Capital, among others.
New investors in this round included leading banks BOCOM International, ICBC International, and global institutional asset management firm Farallon Capital. China Renaissance acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Mobike.
Davis Wang, CEO and Co-founder of Mobike, says: “Mobike is the global leader in smart bike-sharing and through our relentless commitment to innovation we offer the world’s most advanced and user-friendly bike-sharing platform. We are pleased to secure the continued support
Private Equity investment firm Golden Gate Capital (GGC) has acquired Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers (Express Oil) from Carousel Capital.
Express Oil will remain headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama and will continue to be led by its current management team, including Chief Executive Officer Ricky Brooks. Express Oil’s management and Carousel Capital will remain shareholders of the Company. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 1979, Express Oil is one of the largest independent automotive service platforms in the United States, with approximately 300 company-owned and franchise locations across 15 states. Express Oil pioneered a unique
Antares Capital is serving as administrative agent and sole lead arranger on a senior secured credit facility to support the acquisition of SmartBear Software (SmartBear) by Francisco Partners.
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Somerville, MA, SmartBear is a global leader in software quality tools for teams. With over 22,000 customers, SmartBear is integral in helping software developers and testers create the highest quality software applications.
“Antares’ software knowledge and flexibility were key during this transaction,” says Brian Decker, principal at Francisco Partners. “We appreciate working with a team that understands our investment philosophy, and has a history of
European mid-market private equity investor Equistone Partners Europe has invested in Willerby, the UK’s leading manufacturer of static holiday homes.
Equistone has acquired a majority stake in the Company from Caird Capital. Financial terms of the investment are undisclosed, but CVC Credit’s European Private Debt Business provided a term debt facility to Equistone to support its investment in Willerby.
Founded in 1946, Willerby has established itself within the UK holiday home market as a brand associated with premium quality, technical innovation, and breadth of offering. From its two recently expanded production sites in Hull employing circa 900 people, Willerby
HIG Capital (HIG), a leading global private equity and alternative asset firm with over USD21 billion of equity capital under management, is pleased to announce that one of its affiliates led a strategic investment in Trace3, Inc.
Headquartered in Irvine, CA, Trace3 is a leading digital transformation and IT solutions provider to medium- and large-sized enterprise clients. Since its founding in 2002, the Company has established a regional market-leading position in the technology solutions provider space with significant expertise in areas such as Cloud, Security, Data Intelligence, DevOps, Data Center solutions, etc. Trace3 employs over 250 engineers with deep domain
Liberty Hall Capital Partners (Liberty Hall), a private equity firm focused exclusively on investments in businesses serving the global aerospace and defence industry, has acquired Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd, an independent global designer, manufacturer and retreader of aircraft tires, in a transaction valued at USD135 million.
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres represents Liberty Hall’s first portfolio company focused on providing aftermarket products and services to the global aerospace and defence industry.
Dunlop is the brand of tire originally produced by the Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Company beginning at the end of the 19th century, taking its name from founder John Boyd Dunlop.
Orrick has advised Michelin on its acquisition of NexTraq, a US provider of commercial fleet telematics, from Fleetcor Technologies in an all-cash transaction.
NexTraq provides solutions for driver safety, fuel management and enhancing fleet productivity. Since its inception in 2000, NexTraq has become a leading provider of GPS fleet management solutions for fleets of small commercial vehicles (classes three to five) ranging from two to 50 vehicles.
“Telematics and fleet management services are a rapidly growing category worldwide and an important area of Michelin Group’s overall business plans,” says Ralph Dimenna, chief operating officer for Michelin Americas Truck Tires,
Events
12 November, 2026 – 8:00 am
12 November, 2026 – 5:00 pm
