Bertram Capital has sold Author Solutions to Pearson, a learning company and parent of Penguin Books. The USD116m all-cash deal marks Bertram Capital’s third portfolio company exit in the last nine months. Since Bertram Capital’s investment in 2007, ASI has grown to be a leading provider of professional self-publishing services. "ASI’s extraordinary growth and its impact on the self-publishing industry clearly demonstrate the capability our buy and build approach has to create market leaders that are attractive acquisitions for strategic buyers," says Jeff Drazan (pictured), managing partner at Bertram Capital. "We successfully executed three add-on acquisitions for the ASI platform

The Carlyle Group, together with management and employees of Service King Collision Repair Centers, is to acquire majority ownership in the largest independent US chain of auto body repair shops. Founder Eddie Lennox will retain a significant ownership stake in Service King. Chief executive officer Cathy Bonner will become chairman representing Lennox on the board of directors. New equity for the investment will come from Carlyle Equity Opportunities Fund and Carlyle Strategic Partners Fund III. Terms of the transaction, which is expected to close in August, were not disclosed. Shary Moalemzadeh, Carlyle managing director and a member of the Carlyle

KPS Capital Partners’ portfolio company International Equipment Solutions has acquired, through an indirect wholly owned subsidiary, CWS Industries.    This is the fourth acquisition by IES since its formation. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. KPS formed IES in September 2011 as a platform for investments serving the construction, agriculture, landscaping, infrastructure, recycling, demolition, mining, and energy industries. At that time, KPS announced IES’s first two acquisitions, Paladin Brands Holding and Crenlo from Dover Corporation.  In November 2011, Stephen Andrews was retained as chief executive officer of IES to lead the integration of the first two acquisitions and

Monroe Capital has provided a USD16.5m unitranche facility to support the acquisition of FTJ FundChoice by Seaport Capital Partners. Based in Kentucky, FTJ FundChoice provides technology enabled mutual fund trading platforms to investment advisers nationwide. The company’s Turnkey Asset Management Program and recordkeeping services provide investment advisers with back office solutions. Theodore L. Koenig (pictured), president and chief executive officer of Monroe Capital, says: “We were pleased that Seaport Capital Partners had the confidence in Monroe to provide a financing solution to support the acquisition of this unique service business. We look forward to working with the team as they

Private equity manager Abraaj Capital has completed the acquisition of Aureos Capital, a private equity fund management group investing in small and mid-cap companies in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Abraaj Capital now has approximately USD7.5bn in assets under management, a presence in over 30 countries and over 150 investments.   Arif Naqvi (pictured), founder and group chief executive, Abraaj Capital, says: “The acquisition of Aureos is a pivotal moment for Abraaj as it consolidates our position as the pre-eminent private equity fund manager in global growth markets. As a result, Abraaj is able to provide investors with a unique

Pilot Flying J is to acquire a controlling interest in Maxum Petroleum for cash and Pilot Flying J’s contribution of Western Petroleum into Maxum. Current investors, including Maxum management, Metalmark and Waud, will re-invest in the new venture.   Maxum is one of the largest independent energy logistics companies in North America, selling and distributing over 1.3 billion gallons of refined petroleum products and serving over 15,000 customers.   Jimmy Haslam, Pilot Flying J president and chief executive, says: "The acquisition of Maxum offers us an excellent growth opportunity and we are very excited to increase our participation in this