Alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group and DuPont have signed a definitive agreement whereby Carlyle will purchase DuPont Performance Coatings (DPC) for USD4.9bn in cash. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter 2013, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. DPC is a global supplier of vehicle and industrial coating systems with 2012 expected sales of more than USD4bn and more than 11,000 employees. The investment will be funded with equity from Carlyle Partners V and Carlyle Europe Partners III. “DuPont Performance Coatings is a leader in the automotive and industrial coatings sectors with world-class products

CIBC has reached an agreement to acquire Griffis & Small, a Houston-based energy advisory firm specialising in acquisitions and divestitures in the exploration and production sector. Terms have not been disclosed. The transaction, expected to close in the fourth quarter, supports CIBC’s strategy of targeted growth in businesses and geographies where it has strong existing client relationships and capabilities. The acquisition will also create opportunities to serve new and existing wholesale banking clients in the US, and complements its energy-focused teams in Calgary, the UK and Asia. It will provide Griffis & Small’s clients with access to the same team

On-demand digital interviewing platform provider HireVue has secured USD22m in funding including a USD17m series C equity round, led by Investor Growth Capital, and an expansion of the company’s debt facility. Granite Ventures, who led HireVue’s previous round, Peterson Ventures, who led HireVue’s A-round, new investors Rose Park Advisors, and the law firm of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich and Rosati also supported this round. Fuelled by the emergence of social and mobile recruiting, many companies now receive more than 100 applicants for a given position, and 68 per cent of employers report that more than half of those candidates are not

Darden Restaurants has completed the acquisition of Yard House USA for USD585m in an all-cash transaction from private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners, management and investors. This follows the agreement that was announced on 12 July 2012. The total transaction price includes approximately USD30m of cash tax benefits that are expected to be realised by Darden in fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2014. With the acquisition now complete, Yard House joins Darden’s Specialty Restaurant Group, which also includes The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52 and Eddie V’s. Yard House, which launched its first restaurant in 1996, offers contemporary American cuisine

Willis Stein & Partners, Landmark Partners and Vision Capital have completed a transaction benefiting investors in Willis Stein’s third fund, Willis Stein & Partners III. Investors received the option to receive liquidity from the 2000 Fund in cash and/or the opportunity to benefit from the growth potential of the portfolio. The syndicate of new investors includes PineBridge Secondary Partners II.   The transaction is structured to address the objectives of investors in the fund, some of whom had expressed a desire for liquidity. Investors were given the option to take cash proceeds or to roll the value of their interests

2011 was another year of growth and recovery from the 2009 trough, establishing the Central and Eastern European region as an area of reasonable stability with relative fiscal prudence and continued positive prospects. This is according to the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association’s Central and Eastern Europe Statistics 2011 report.   Private equity and venture capital funds focused on CEE attracted EUR941m of new funds in 2011, up 48 per cent compared to 2010 (and more than 135 per cent on the previous year), an increase mainly driven by buyout funds. In line with overall European trends, these

Bacterin International Holdings, a developer of bone graft material and antimicrobial coatings for medical applications, has closed a USD25m non-dilutive financing with an affiliate of OrbiMed Advisors.  The financing will enable Bacterin to execute its growth strategy through anticipated profitability. Under the terms of the agreement, Bacterin initially received USD20m and has the ability to draw down an additional USD5m based upon the achievement of mutually agreed upon revenue objectives prior to 31 December 2013.  The company received net proceeds of approximately USD10m after repayment of existing indebtedness as well as other transaction related fees and expenses.  Net proceeds will

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice is to acquire David’s Bridal, a retailer of bridal gown and wedding-related apparel and accessories in North America. Leonard Green & Partners will continue as a minority partner.  The transaction values the company at approximately USD1.05bn. Additional terms of the transaction were not disclosed. David’s Bridal stores provide an assortment of designer wedding gowns, special occasion dresses and accessories at affordable prices. The company designs, produces and sells a wide selection of styles and sizes through a network of over 300 US and five Canadian stores. David’s Bridal’s exclusive partnership with Vera Wang, under the brand

Novetta Solutions, a portfolio company of Arlington Capital Partners, has acquired White Cliffs Consulting (WCC). WCC specialises in the digital discovery domain and applies multidisciplinary high-end technical analysis, software engineering, and mission engineering to the entire end-to-end Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) and cyber mission spectrum.  Based in Columbia, Maryland, WCC has grown rapidly since its inception in 2006 and today employs approximately 60 professionals. WCC’s expertise and technical capabilities will enhance Novetta’s ability to solve the challenges of a rapidly changing and evolving big data world. Novetta provides high-end, mission critical technology solutions to customers within the Intelligence, Department of Defense,