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Kayne Partners Fund has partnered with Airborne Biometrics Group (FaceFirst). Kayne Partners is the growth private equity group of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, a USD15 billion alternative investment firm.
This investment in FaceFirst is Kayne Partners’ third investment in the last two months.
Founded in 2007, FaceFirst has developed an innovative technology providing government grade, real-time facial recognition wrapped into a turnkey package that can be deployed across a wide array of industries and end uses, including airport security, retail theft deterrence, VIP customer recognition, and counterterrorism.
FaceFirst’s technology can process millions of facial comparisons per second at the lowest
HgCapital, the European sector-focused private equity investor, has acquired Qundis Group, a German foremost provider of submetering devices and systems for consumption-dependent billing of heat and water.
HgCapital will acquire the company from financial investor Capcellence and Qundis management team, pending approval by the antitrust authorities. The Qundis management team will reinvest a substantial portion of their stake as part of the transaction.
Qundis was created in 2008 by the merger of QVEDIS (previously part of Siemens) and KUNDO SystemTechnik. Headquartered in Mühlhausen, the company has approximately 220 employees and currently provides submetering systems to a highly fragmented customer
Sagard, Jean Jacques Namani (President of Stokomani) and his management team have signed an agreement to acquire, from Advent International, Stokomani, the leading French discount wholesaler of leading brands. This transaction should be finalised by June 2012. The value of the transaction was undisclosed.
For over 50 years, Stokomani has been the leading French specialist discounter of end‐of‐line products. Through its network of 37 stores, Stokomani offers a large range of constantly renewed brand name goods at attractive prices in the clothing, sportswear, beauty and healthcare, home ware or toy sectors. It is based on this unique concept, developed by
Cummins Inc has signed an agreement to acquire the heavy duty emissions control business of 3i-backed Hilite International. Headquartered in Marktheidenfeld, Germany, Hilite is a global supplier of leading automotive system solutions. The purchase price was undisclosed.
Hilite’s emissions control unit is a world-class technology leader in the design and assembly of exhaust dosing systems for on- and off-road heavy duty vehicles. The business accounts for approximately 25 percent of Hilite’s revenues. It is a market leader offering superior solutions which enable its customers to meet increasingly strict global emissions standards.
Following the sale, Hilite will focus on its core
Helios Investment Partners has appointed Dabney Tonelli as Investor Relations Partner. Tonelli, who will be based in London, will lead Helios’ efforts to develop further its relationships with existing and prospective investors.
Tope Lawani, co-founder of Helios Investment Partners, says: “We are delighted to have Dabney join Helios. Her experience, knowledge and ability to work closely and communicate effectively with investors will make Dabney an invaluable addition to Helios, as we seek to enhance our investor relations strategy.”
Dabney was previously a Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Chayton Capital LLP, an emerging markets private equity investment advisor.
Novartis has signed a definitive agreement to acquire specialty dermatology generics company Fougera Pharmaceuticals. Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will acquire the business, which is based in Melville, New York, for USD1.525 billion in an all-cash transaction.
The sellers are comprised of a consortium of private equity funds led by Nordic Capital, DLJ Merchant Banking (a Credit Suisse affiliate) and Avista Capital Partners.
The acquisition creates another strong global growth platform for Sandoz, the generic pharmaceuticals division of Novartis. Based on 2011 IMS data, the combined businesses will become the No1 global company in generic dermatology medicines,
Ilan S Nissan and Christian C Nugent have joined Goodwin Procter’s Private Equity Practice as partners in its New York office. They will focus on advising private equity funds, hedge funds, alternative asset managers and their portfolio companies on a wide variety of transactions, including leveraged buyouts, recapitalisations, growth equity financings, strategic investments, restructurings and dispositions.
Nissan and Nugent have represented clients across a broad spectrum of sectors, including the manufacturing; entertainment; Internet; technology and software; consulting; and product distribution industries.
"We are delighted to welcome Ilan and Chris to the firm and group," says Regina M Pisa (pictured), Chairman
The British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) is continuing its plan to attract commercial investment to help realise the full potential of Silverstone and its 760-acre Estate.
The BRDC signed an exclusivity agreement with one prospective partner towards the end of 2011. Negotiations with the potential investor remain positive, but with the period of exclusivity coming to a close the BRDC plans to broaden its search and engage with other interested parties.
Stuart Rolt, Chairman of the BRDC, says: “The commercial potential of Silverstone and the Estate is significant and we are seeking external investment, from third parties who share our
Results of the first quarter Phoenix Management “Lending Climate in America” Survey signal that lenders’ expect private equity regulation will occur despite the outcome of the presidential race.
More than half (57%) of lenders responded that regardless of the presidential outcome or economic climate, PE regulation will be reviewed in 2012. While proposed changes to the industry may not be fully implemented in 2012, the future will eventually yield less favourable tax treatment and added oversight. Twenty eight percent of lenders believe that the attention private equity sponsors are receiving is being exacerbated by the presidential race and will likely
China Investment Corporation (CIC), the Belgian Federal Holding and Investment Company (SFPI/FPIM) and A CAPITAL, a private equity firm for China-Europe cross-border investments, have launched a fund to invest in leading European groups to boost their growth in China.
The first closing took place in the presence of the Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang and the Belgian Prime Minister Elio di Rupo during an official signature ceremony held at Palais d’Egmont in Brussels. CIC was represented by its Chairman Mr. Lou Jiwei, SFPI/FPIM by its CEO Koen Van Loo and A CAPITAL by its Chairman André Loesekrug-Pietri.
A CAPITAL,
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