Signature Group Investments (SGI), in partnership with a private equity group, has purchased a pool of non-performing and performing loans from a New York City based community bank at the end of December 2013. This transaction is the first portfolio loan sale that this bank has conducted.   Nick Jekogian, chief executive of SGI, says: "Signature prefers doing deals with community banks. There are about 6,800 of them across the US, and many are still holding the liabilities of non-performing loans on their books. SGI's programme allows banks to eliminate these liabilities and the costly burden of managing non-performing assets."

Private equity firm Encore Consumer Capital has completed the sale of its portfolio company Zuke’s, a marketer of premium dog and cat treats, to Nestlé Purina PetCare Company. Scott Sellers, managing director of Encore Consumer Capital, says: “Encore is thrilled to have been a part of developing Zuke’s into a leading brand of premium pet treats in the pet specialty channel. While we will miss working with the incredible management team at Zuke’s, we are excited that Zuke’s will continue to offer the highest-quality pet treats under the stewardship of a trusted organization like Nestlé Purina PetCare.”   Zuke’s founder

Bertram Capital has acquired Maxcess International, a provider of guiding, winding, slitting and tension control systems for web fed converting applications. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Maxcess marks Bertram's fifth transaction in the plastic processing industry and second investment in the web handling equipment industry following the 2012 acquisition of Webex.    "Maxcess has established a world class brand and distinguished itself as a technology leader in the converting industry for a wide range of applications including paper, film, flexible packaging, non-wovens and metals," says Kevin Yamashita, a partner at Bertram Capital. "The union between Maxcess and Webex creates a company

Paul Hastings has advised OpenGate Capital in connection with the acquisition of Kem One SAS, the second largest European manufacturer of PVCs, together with the industrial investor Alain de Krassny. The reorganisation plan of Kem One SAS was approved on 20 December by an order of the Tribunal de Commerce (Commercial Court) of Lyon, after months of negotiations with Groupe Kem One’s principal business partners and support from the French Government to preserve the continued viability of the French petrochemical industry.   Kem One SAS is part of the upstream business activity of Kem One Group. The order also provides for the

Law firm Paul Hastings has advised the British fund Fortelus Capital Management on the sale of the luxury shoes and accessories brand Bruno Magli to Da Vinci Invest, a Swiss independent capital management fund. The new shareholder has also appointed Marcus Ensemberger as new CEO while the existing management will continue to manage the brand, whose headquarter will remain in Italy.   The Paul Hastings team, led by partner Bruno Cova, also includes partner Antonio Azzarà and associates Flavio Acerbi, Shida Galletti and Ante Picello.