Euro Car Parts, the UK’s largest car and van parts distributor, has agreed to merge with Netherlands based Sator Holding to create one of Europe’s largest car parts distributors.   The merger has been financed by LKQ Corporation, the largest provider of aftermarket and recycled collision replacement parts and refurbished collision replacement products in the US and Canada.   LKQ has acquired Sator Beheer BV, also known as Sator Holding, from H2 Equity Partners, effective from 1 May 2013. The purchase price is approximately USD268.4m (GBP176m).   Sator Holding was established in 2005 by the merger of the previous Van

Small transactions (under GBP10m) dominated the UK equity capital markets and M&A market in Q1 2013, increasing by 6.3 per cent from 319 in Q1 2012 to 357 deals in Q1 2013, according to Experian.   The increase can largely be attributed to a substantial upturn in the volume of smaller scale equity fundraising from UK public companies, which increased transactions from 116 worth GBP225m in Q1 2012 to 225 worth GBP334m in Q1 2013.   The total number of UK M&A and ECM transactions recorded in Q1 2013, however, fell by 14.2 per cent: from 1,239 transactions in Q1

The management team of Euro Cater, a Nordic Foodservice wholesaler, and Intermediate Capital Group (ICG), the specialist asset manager, have formed a partnership to acquire the business from Euro ManaCo (the current investment vehicle of Euro Cater management), Altor and inco Amba.   The transaction marks the conclusion of a partnership between Euro Cater and Altor that commenced in 2006.   Euro Cater was established in 2006 as a partnership between Altor and key employees of the company and has since developed into a wide reaching foodservice supply business, organically and through acquisitions. In 2007 Euro Cater entered Sweden by

The US restaurant industry is beginning to sizzle, according to the 23rd edition of the Chain Restaurant Industry Review, which was released at the Restaurant Leadership Conference by GE Capital, Franchise Finance (GEFF).   Merger and acquisition activity increased to USD3.9bn from USD3.7bn, and the total volume of syndicated leveraged loans in the restaurant space increased almost 21 per cent last year.   In a sign that the American consumer was feeling more confident about disposable income levels, nominal restaurant sales rose 4.2 per cent to USD425.6bn in 2012. Sales are projected to increase 3.8 per cent to USD441.9bn this

A consortium comprising The Carlyle Group, Stone Point Capital and Pictet & Cie – on behalf of certain of its clients – and funds managed by Edmond de Rothschild Group, has completed its acquisition of Duff & Phelps in all-cash transaction valued at approximately USD665.5m.   The transaction was approved by the company’s stockholders at a special meeting of stockholders held 22 April 2013.   Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, the company’s Class A stockholders are entitled to receive USD15.55 per share of Class A common stock in cash without interest. As a result of the merger,

AXA Private Equity’s Kallista platform, an independent French producer of wind energy, is to acquire two wind farms from a company of the London-based Group HgCapital.   This acquisition, which is subject to certain conditions precedent, adds a production capacity of 23MW, bringing Kallista’s total capacity to 321 MW, making it the third biggest producer of wind energy in France.   The Enercon facilities in Bougainville and Saint-André, both located in Picardie (France), close to existing Kallista farms, will enable the company to diversify its technological mix with the introduction of a new turbine supplier. Kallista is active in both

Golden Gate Capital is to acquire Springs Window Fashions, the second largest provider of custom window covering products in the world, from Heartland Industrial Partners and interests of the Close Family.   Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.   Headquartered in Middleton, Wisconsin, Springs manufactures and sells custom and stock window coverings and drapery hardware to retail and commercial customers, as well as independent designers, franchisors and decorators. The company was founded in 1939 and has over 4,800 employees located at nine facilities located throughout North America. Springs’ management will remain with the company and will continue to

Blackstone is to acquire Strategic Partners, Credit Suisse’s dedicated secondary private equity business with USD9bn in assets under management.   The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close by the end of the third quarter 2013. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.   Tony James (pictured), president and chief operating officer of Blackstone, says: “We are thrilled that the people of Strategic Partners are joining Blackstone. Many of us here at Blackstone were once colleagues of the Strategic Partners team, and this gives us high confidence that it will be a seamless