Baird, an employee-owned, international financial services firm, and BR Partners, an independent investment bank in Brazil, have formed a strategic alliance for investment banking services, with an initial focus on cross-border mergers & acquisitions (M&A) between Brazil and Europe, and Brazil and the US.  Through the alliance, the two leading investment banks will enhance their respective M&A offerings by leveraging each bank’s strong knowledge and deep corporate relationships within each’s respective regions.    Baird and BR Partners have had a strong working relationship for the past several years. Most notably, last year the two firms co-advised Affinia Group Inc. on

Aleva Neurotherapeutics, a developer of next-generation implants for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in major neurological indications such as Parkinson’s Disease and Essential Tremor, has raised USD 18 million in a Series C financing round.  The round was led by Greatbatch (NYSE:GB), a strategic lead investor contributing a total of USD5 million to the transaction. In February 2016, Aleva and Greatbatch announced the closing of a strategic development, supply and manufacturing agreement. In addition, Aleva will combine their innovative directional lead technology with the proprietary neurostimulation platform of Nuvectra, a recent spin-off from Greatbatch. Aleva’s existing investors (BioMedPartners, BB Biotech Ventures,

Mid-market private equity firm LDC has backed the GBP22m management buyout of global ID cards business, Magicard, from listed defence and security group Ultra Electronics Holdings plc. Founded in 1992, Magicard is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of secure desktop ID card printers, software and related consumables for the identity and access control markets. Its products, which include direct-to-card and retransfer printers, are capable of printing and encoding all types of card format, including magnetic stripe, proximity cards and ‘chip and pin’ cards used in the banking sector. Magicard printers are renowned for their built-in card security features, including

Taiyo Pacific Partners has accumulated in excess of 5 per cent in Hitachi Maxell to become the second largest shareholder in the provider of micro batteries, camera lens and LED headlamp lenses for cars.  Taiyo Pacific Partners is a pioneer of friendly engagement investing in Japan and has been proactively working with senior management at its portfolio companies to enhance shareholder value for over 13 years. Brian K Heywood, Chief Executive Officer and Founding Partner of Taiyo Pacific Partners, says: “The demise of cassette tapes and CD-ROMs means you probably haven’t heard the name Hitachi Maxell in a while but

NorthEdge-backed Accrol Group Holdings has revealed plans to to float on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. Dealings are expected to commence on AIM on 10 June 2016. Established in 1993 by the Hussain family, Accrol has grown to become a leading supplier of tissue products, supplying both the premium retail and UK discount markets. Accrol has a 35 per cent market share of the discount market and seven per cent. of the overall UK tissue market. The business manufactures a wide range of household and away from home tissue products for a number of blue-chip retailers and

Investec Bank has arranged the long term refinancing of a portfolio of four UK projects totalling 40MW solar portfolio owned by Canadian Solar Inc (CSIQ). The long term debt was provided by Bayern LB after Investec ran competitive process for Canadian Solar.  Investec originally provided a short term bridging facility that funded the portfolio shortly after its connection to the electricity grid. Olivier Fricot, head of Power and Infrastructure Lending, Investec, says: “Having supported Canadian Solar in its first ROC based project financing Investec is delighted to have arranged a long term financing solution on very attractive terms to Canadian

Avista Pharma Solutions, a portfolio company of private equity firm Ampersand Capital Partners, has initiated a significant expansion and enhancement of its contract testing facility in Agawam, Massachusetts.  This facility offers Microbiology and Analytical Chemistry testing services as well as Cleanroom services (supporting environmental monitoring, qualification and certification) and has been dedicated to providing these best-in-class services to the pharmaceutical and medical device industries for over 25 years. Expansion of the 26,000 sq ft facility includes a new microbiology laboratory equipped with isolator technology for sterility testing and expansion of the analytical footprint along with a laboratory support area with

Fircroft has strengthened its position in the mining, minerals and natural resources industries with the acquisition of Australian-based One Key Resources. Established in 2011, One Key Resources is a specialist provider of workforce solutions to the mining industry and has become a market leader in the Asia-Pacific region.   The latest acquisition strengthens Fircroft’s portfolio of operations and provides the Group with greater access to the Asia-Pacific markets. Fircroft was backed by independent investment firm Equistone Partners Europe in 2012 in a deal worth £140m.   One Key joins Fircroft Group at a time of expansion following the the company’s