Primary has backed the management buy-out of Leisure Pass Group Ltd (Leisure Pass) in a GBP35 million transaction from its shareholders. The deal represents Primary’s ninth investment from its current Primary III fund. Leisure Pass, based in London, is the world’s leading provider of smart card-based multi-attraction tourist passes and the associated systems. The passes permit free entry to a large number of selected visitor attractions and are issued with a comprehensive guide book to the destination city. Leisure Pass’ city passes cover three of the largest European tourist cities – London, Paris and Berlin – enabling entry to attractions

Private Equity firm Avista Capital Partners is to acquire Top-Co Inc, a privately-held, designer and manufacturer of specialised casing cementing products used in the drilling and completion of oil, natural gas and geothermal wells. Top-Co serves a diverse global customer base comprised of E&P and national oil companies, multinational service companies and North American and international agents and distributors. Terms of the transaction, which is expected to close in the second quarter of 2012, were not disclosed.  Trevor Turbidy, an Energy Industry Advisor with Avista, says: "We are delighted about our new partnership with Top-Co. With its highly experienced management

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co has formed a partnership with Transparency International, the global anti-corruption non-governmental organisation. Ken Mehlman (pictured), Head of Public Affairs at KKR, says: “KKR is committed to responsible investing and believes that thoughtful consideration of environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) issues is a critical component of value creation. This global partnership with Transparency International will help us to further enhance our investment and company stewardship processes, specifically in the field of business integrity. “KKR’s partnership with Transparency International adds to the firm’s network of external partners, including with Business for Social Responsibility (http://www.bsr.org/), in the field

Riverside Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in middle market healthcare and technology companies, today announced the closing of Riverside Fund V with USD561 million of committed capital. Riverside Fund V follows the firm’s USD406 million Riverside Fund IV, which was raised in 2009. Riverside Partners was able to secure very significant support from its existing investors. Fund V builds on the firm’s 23-year track record of partnering with founder- and management-owned healthcare and technology companies.  "We are very pleased to have completed our fundraising, achieving our hard cap in six months. We are particularly appreciative of the substantial support from our

Private equity firm Superior Capital Partners has acquired the gourmet desserts division of Heinz North America.  The newly formed entity will be called Dianne’s Fine Desserts and will be led by Michael Knowles as CEO and Daniel Scales as President. This investment represents the twelfth acquisition and the fifth platform company from Superior’s 2008 inaugural fund.  Newly named, Dianne’s Fine Desserts is a leading provider of gourmet frozen thaw and serve desserts to the foodservice industry and in-store bakeries. The purchase includes the brands Dianne’s Fine Desserts and Alden Merrell Fine Desserts in addition to other brands including Black Tie and Skooopz. The

Platte River Ventures, a Denver-based private equity firm, has sold its portfolio company, PRV Aerospace, LLC (PRV Aerospace), to an affiliate of Court Square Capital Partners (Court Square), a private equity firm headquartered in New York, NY.   Headquartered in Everett, WA, PRV Aerospace is an aerospace and defence group that supplies components, subassemblies and assemblies to the world’s leading manufacturers of aircraft, aero-equipment and other defense platforms. Comprised of six operating facilities, PRV Aerospace performs complex machining of hard metals and aluminum, sheet metal fabrication, assembly and test, repair and overhaul, and lower tier supply chain management. Platte River

K+S Aktiengesellschaft has signed an agreement with EuroChem to sell K+S Nitrogen a supplier of nitrogenous fertilisers. A team led by lead partners Dr Thomas Meyding and Dr Barbara Wössner advised K+S AG on all aspects of the transaction. The EUR140 million euro transaction is currently awaiting approval from the EU competition authorities and is expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2012.  

Private equity found Triton Fund II has agreed to sell the technical installation and service solutions company Bravida AB (Bravida) to Bain Capital. The transaction value has not been disclosed. Triton acquired Bravida in 2006. During its ownership and in partnership with management, Triton implemented a comprehensive program to turn around the company. This included improved project selection, increased focus on higher margin service and maintenance revenues, reorganisation of the branch network and restructuring the Norwegian business. As a result Bravida has successfully positioned itself as the market leader in Scandinavia.   Mats O Paulsson, president and CEO of Bravida,

KPS Capital Partners’ portfolio company American & Efird Global (A&E) has acquired the outstanding two-thirds share ownership of A&E Sri Lanka and A&E Bangladesh from its two joint-venture partners, Brandix Lanka Limited and Brandot International Ltd.  A&E now owns 100% of both businesses. Financial terms of the transactions have not been disclosed. A&E is the largest US manufacturer and the world’s second-largest manufacturer and distributor of premium quality industrial sewing thread, embroidery thread and technical textiles. A&E thread is used by producers of apparel, automotive components, home furnishings, medical supplies, footwear and certain industrial products.  A&E owns or operates 23