Synteract Inc., a contract research organization backed by San Francisco-based private equity firm Gryphon Investors, has named Wendel Barr chief executive officer Barr succeeds Ellen Morgan, who remains as chairman of the board. Barr most recently served as chief operating officer and executive vice president at Covance.
2 min read · 18 July 2011
The CapMan Russia Fund and Belgian-based firm Gimv have backed Russian photo services company Expert Photo with an undisclosed amount of growth capital. Expert Photo is a 16-year-old provider of online and offline photo printing services. The infusion of cash will help Expert Photo strengthen its position in Russia. Following the deal, the CapMan Russia fund and Gimv will each own 19% of the company. CapMan Plc and Gimv are both major investors in the CapMan Russia Fund.
3 min read · 18 July 2011
Starwood Capital is paying 250 million reais ($159 million) for a 33.3% stake in MRV Log, the logistics arm of Brazilian builder MRV Engenharia, Reuters reported Monday. After the deal closes, MRV Engenharia will own 42% of the company. The money will help MRV Log expand its portfolio of assets.
1 min read · 18 July 2011
Newburyport, Mass.-based private equity shop Twelve Court Inc. has acquired Aegom Interactive. Terms of the deal were not released. Aegom publishes education content for use with the SMART Notebook software. The company is based in Centerville, Mass.
2 min read · 18 July 2011
Hertz Global Holdings will pay $250 million to acquire Donlen Corp., a provider of fleet leasing and management services. Hertz will also assume approximately $680 million of Donlen's outstanding fleet debt. The deal is expected to close during the third quarter. Based in Northbrook, Illinois, Donlen manages more than 144,000 vehicles across North America.
5 min read · 18 July 2011
Index Ventures is planning to expand its investments in Israel, Reuters reported Monday. The firm is actively looking for new technology investments in Israel, and has two funds to invest out of: a 350 million euro ($494 million) fund for early-stage companies and a 400 million euro fund for later-stage investments, Reuters wrote. Index currently invests the build of its money in the U.S. and Europe.
3 min read · 18 July 2011
Ventizz Capital is exiting its 60% stake in QSIL, the firm announced Monday. The buyer is a consortium led by QSIL’s chief executive Stephan Behr. Terms of the sale were not released. Ventizz Capital is based in Dusseldorf. Germany’s QSIL is a specialty quartz glass manufacturer focusing on the creation of round shapes and special products.
4 min read · 18 July 2011
Advisory, restructuring and investment firm Gordon Brothers Group has named Gary Talarico president and chief executive officer. Most recently, Talarico was a managing partner of Cora Street Partners, an advisory boutique. Earlier, he worked as a managing director for Sun Capital Partners, where he managed the New York and Tokyo offices.
3 min read · 18 July 2011
Plastics maker Styron Corp., which is backed by Bain Capital, has added Scotia Capital and Wells Fargo to the list of underwriters for its $400 million initial public offering, Reuters reported. The company now has 13 banks underwriting the IPO. Bain Capital bought Styron for $1.63 billion from Dow Chemical Co in 2010. The company is based in Berwyn, Pennsylvania.
1 min read · 18 July 2011
Adobe has bulked up its document exchange services platform by buying venture-backed EchoSign, a provider of electronic signatures and signature automation technology. Terms of the deal were not released. EchoSign had raised more than $8 million from investors including Storm Ventures and Emergence Capital Partners.
3 min read · 18 July 2011
