International law firm Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP represented O3b Networks in their USD137 million financing for a series of four additional satellites to support super-fast broadband connections to Africa and other emerging markets. The project has been described by the BBC as “one of the most ambitious commercial space projects of the decade.”   In 2010, Milbank represented O3b Networks in its USD1.2 billion financing of the purchase from Thales Alenia Space of its first eight medium earth orbit satellites. This year’s financing of four additional satellites will serve to significantly boost both the throughput and redundancy of

Unifrax Holdings I Corporation (Unifrax), a portfolio company of private equity firm AEA Investors (AEA), has been acquired by American Securities. The transaction closed on 28 November, 2011. Harris Williams & Co acted as the lead advisor to Unifrax. The transaction was led by Chris Williams, John Neuner, John Arendale, Brent Spiller and Matt McLain from the firm’s Richmond office.   “Unifrax is a true market leader with an exceptional track record of growth and a remarkable management team. We look forward to following the continued success of the business,” says Williams Williams, managing director at Harris Williams & Co.

LogiXML, a pioneer of web-based business intelligence (BI) software, has closed a growth equity investment led by Summit Partners. Also participating in the round is Grotech Ventures, an existing LogiXML investor. LogiXML investors now include Summit Partners, Grotech Ventures and Updata Partners. The funds will be used to accelerate LogiXML’s growth and expand the company’s share of the BI and analytics software market. “As the broader BI and analytics market continues to expand, LogiXML has successfully capitalised on the demand for lightweight, agile BI solutions and has succeeded in market segments where traditional BI platforms fall short,” says Brett Jackson,

AssuredPartners, Inc, a portfolio company of leading Chicago-based private equity firm GTCR, has closed its second investment with the acquisition of SKCG Group, a White Plains, New York-based insurance agency. With revenues of approximately USD18 million, SKCG is one of the largest privately-held risk management and insurance advisory firms in the US. Since 1996, SKCG has been cited each year as a Top Performer nationwide by the Independent Insurance Agents of America Best Practices Study, evidencing the firm’s strong reputation in the industry. The acquisition provides AssuredPartners with a strategic asset and penetration into the greater New York metropolitan area.

Global digital security software company, Clearswift, has been acquired by mid-market growth investor Lyceum Capital, in a deal that will see increased focus on Clearswift’s content-aware security products. Clearswift provides market-leading security software products to companies that view the security of their IP and communications as a strategic priority. Clearswift’s integrated products manage inbound threats, data loss prevention, web access policies and compliance across both web and email communications. Headquartered in Theale, near Reading, with satellite operations in Germany, Spain, Japan, the US, Australia and Holland, the business employs around 170 people with almost two thirds based in the UK.

Electra Private Equity has agreed to sell its interest in Capital Safety Group (CSG) to KKR. The total value of the deal is approximately USD1.1 billion. CSG is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fall protection, confined space and rescue equipment.

 Completion, which is expected in January 2012, is conditional and subject to regulatory clearances, amongst other things.

 Subject to completion, Electra is expected to receive proceeds in the region of GBP54 million based on today’s exchange rates. This would represent an uplift of GBP28 million or 104% on the valuation of CSG, inclusive of accrued income, at 31

Boston-based private equity firm Riverside Partners has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority equity interest in ITC Global (ITC), an international provider of satellite communications services to mining, energy and maritime businesses operating in remote or harsh environments. As part of the transaction, Riverside Partners will also provide the Company with significant capital to support ITC’s future growth initiatives. ITC is headquartered in St Petersburg, Florida. The investment is expected to close following customary regulatory approvals. ITC Global provides enterprise grade satellite communications services on a global basis. ITC’s customers enjoy custom-designed, innovative solutions, including regional and/or global

IMG Partners LTD (IMG) has selected IntraLinks’ cloud-based solutions to securely communicate with its global investor community. IMG, an independent private equity real estate fund manager focused on the Russian market, is using IntraLinks to raise its second fund, Russia Development Fund II. "In the current fundraising environment, investors have significant demands for timely access to large quantities of due diligence information," says Stephen Terzolo, Investor Relations Manager at IMG. "Previously, IMG used traditional fundraising methods, such as postal mail, e-mail, courier services and on-site visits, to communicate with investors. As the global regulatory environment has evolved, there is now a need

With the support of majority shareholder Perceva Capital, SHARK, the leading French supplier of motorcycle helmets, has acquired Holding Trophy, owner of motorcycle clothing and accessories brands Bagster, Bering and Ségura.   Present in over 30 countries, Holding Trophy is the French leader with over 25% market share and a turnover of roughly EUR30 million in 2010, of which 20% comes from exports. The newly created group is exclusively dedicated to motorcyclist gear (clothing, gloves and helmets) and vehicle equipments (custom saddles, soft luggage, petrol tank, leg and hand grip covers).   This build-up acquisition for SHARK was orchestrated by

European private equity firm Cinven has completed its acquisition of Guardian Financial Services, the UK closed book of life and pensions business. Cinven reached agreement to acquire Guardian from AEGON in August 2011 for an enterprise value of GBP275 million. The transaction was originated by Cinven’s Financial Services team as part of its analysis of the European life assurance market.   The investment provides a consolidation platform for Cinven in the European closed life assurance market driven by factors including the fragmented nature of the market; commercial pressures on smaller operators; banking institutions looking to exit insurance assets and overseas