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The UK has overtaken Germany as the European country in which most research and development (R&D) takes place, according to second annual CMS Employee Inventor Rewards Survey.
A key question raised by the survey is the extent to which rewards actually encourage inventions and innovation among employees.
A third of respondents indicated that they had engaged in disputes with employees regarding rewards for inventions (in comparison with 40 per cent in last year’s survey) indicating that, counter to their positive implications for innovation, inventor rewards policies can also be divisive.
The online survey of 48 European companies’ inventor
Lesaffre has sold 100 per cent of UK food distributor BFP Wholesale to private equity consortium Zimt Holding.
The transaction details have not been disclosed.
Headquartered in Sevenoaks, BFP is a nationwide, one-stop wholesale supplier of ambient, chilled and frozen food products. The company’s products are distributed from depots via a fleet of multi-temperature vehicles to more than 4,000 customers throughout the UK, including Krispy Kreme and Greggs.
BFP has grown consistently over the years and in 2013 sold 50,000 tonnes of food products, generating a turnover of over GBP75m.
Marc Casier, Lesaffre’s general manager baking Western
Dubai International Capital (DIC), the private equity arm of Dubai Holding, has completed the sale of Mauser Group to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) for circa USD1.7 billion.
The agreement for the sale was announced on 12 May 2014.
David Smoot, chief executive officer of DIC, says: “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the Mauser sale. This transaction demonstrated DIC’s ability to improve and grow the companies it has invested in to ultimately achieve an attractive value at the point of exit. We are now focused on continuing to enhance the value of our remaining portfolio as
The Abraaj Group has exited its investment in Fibrex, a manufacturer of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and other low-pressure plastic pipe products used in the construction industry.
Established in 1966, Fibrex initially manufactured woven bags to transport agricultural materials and fertilisers. The company’s product line quickly evolved over time to products such as PVC and HDPE pipes for the construction industry.
Abraaj, through one of its funds, invested in Fibrex in 2007. The group’s close operational support has led to an upgrade in energy supply infrastructure, improved governance, accounting and reporting standards, and increased environmental efficiency in the company.
Pharmaceutical firm Almirall has agreed with London-based AstraZeneca to transfer its drug platform for respiratory disease treatments.
Once the transaction is completed, AstraZeneca will pay USD 875 million for the rights.
Up to USD1.22 billion is additionally payable if certain milestones are reached with regard to the development, launch and commercialisation of existing and future drugs.
The German subsidiary, Almirall Sofotec, which develops inhalation technology, and a substantial number of employees dedicated to the respiratory disease business, will also transfer to AstraZeneca.
The transaction is subject to approval from the authorities and the consultation of the employee
Consulting firm mergers and acquisitions specialist Equiteq has launched Equity Edge, an online resource hub that provides owners with information to help them develop their consultancy to be both sellable and valuable.
Equity Edge provides analysis of market conditions, advice from those who have sold their firms and intelligence from buyers themselves.
“Generating consistent growth is the biggest day-to-day priority for any consulting firm, whilst selling your business can often be one of the greatest life-changing decisions you ever make,” says Paul Collins, managing director of Equiteq. “Both require careful planning and an in-depth understanding of the challenges and
Dallas-based investment management firm Highland Capital Management is now compliant with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS) and has been independently verified for the period of 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2013.
The GIPS standards are a rigorous set of investment performance measurement principles which have been adopted in 37 countries and recognised around the world for providing credibility, integrity, scope and uniformity of performance reporting by enabling direct comparability of a firm’s track record.
“Transparency and integrity are two of the most important things professionals look for when investing capital,” says Mark Okada, co-founder and chief investment
Nautic Partners has partnered with management to acquire Custom Window System, a designer and manufacturer of impact resistant and non-impact windows, doors and porch enclosures.
Custom was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Ocala, Florida.
“We believe that Custom has developed into one of the largest and most well-respected window and door manufacturers in Florida by developing high quality products and providing a consistently high level of service to its customers. Custom is ideally positioned for further growth given the attractiveness of the Florida market and the company’s leading reputation across multiple product categories,” says Doug Hill, managing
Catterton, a consumer-focused private equity firm, has acquired designed jewellery brand John Hardy.
Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
Founded in 1975, John Hardy is a luxury designer jewellery brand. Its collections are available at more than 600 retail locations across 27 countries and regions.
The company has appointed Robert Hanson as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Hanson brings more than 25 years of brand development and retail experience to John Hardy, including with American Eagle Outfitters and Levi Strauss.
Hanson says: "With Catterton's well-established track record for partnering with leading brands to help them capitalise
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