Simon Fuller, the creator of American Idol, is among those bidding for Bug Music, a Los Angeles-based music publisher owned by Spectrum Private Equity, Reuters reported. The company, whose 250,000-plus catalog of songs includes the Drifters hit "Under the Boardwalk,” is expected to fetch as much as $300 million. Fuller's XIX Entertainment, BMG Music and Ole Music are also among the bidders.
1 min read · 08 September 2011
Boca Raton, Fla.-based investment firm Brockway Moran & Partners has invested an undisclosed amount in The Country Vintner, a distributor and importer of wines and spirits. The Country Vintner is based in Ashland, Va. Terms of the investment were not released.
2 min read · 07 September 2011
Pacific Equity Partners has hired investment banks to advise on a sale of New Zealand snack food business Griffin's Foods, Reuters reported Wednesday. The deal could fetch as much as $750 million including debt, Reuters wrote. Pacific Equity acquired Griffin's Foods – which makes biscuits and crackers including Milk Arrowroot, Chocolate Chippes and Gingernuts – from Danone SA in 2006 for NZ$385 million.
2 min read · 07 September 2011
Private equity investor KPS Capital Partners, via its newly formed company International Equipment Solutions, has acquired Paladin Brands Holding and Crenlo. The firm is buying the two companies from publicly traded Dover Corp. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Paladin is a provider of engineered attachment tools for operator-driven equipment. Crenlo is a provider of steel cabs and roll-over protective structures and electronics enclosures.
4 min read · 07 September 2011
Emailvision Holdings, a software company specializing in email, mobile and social marketing, has added Andre Boisvert and Michael Everett to its board. The company is owned by private equity firm Francisco Partners. Boisvert is the former president and chief operating officer of SAS Institute Inc., and currently serves on the boards of Palamida Corp., River Logic Inc., Clario Analytics Inc. and Webtrends Corp. Everett was most recently the vice president of finance at Cisco Systems. He serves on the board of advisors at Zuora Inc., and as a director at Calix Inc.
3 min read · 07 September 2011
The management of Iron Bow Technologies LLC has acquired a controlling interest in the company from previous owner New Mountain Capital, the company announced Wednesday. New Mountain and other selling shareholders will collectively retain a minority interest in the company. Terms of the deal were not released. Iron Bow has revenues of approximately $800 million.
3 min read · 07 September 2011
Australian media company Seven West Media, which is backed by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., may refinance up to A$2 billion ($2.1 billion) of debt, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing a Basis Point report. The company is going through bank proposals to refinance the debt. KKR owns 12.6% in Seven West Media.
1 min read · 07 September 2011
H.I.G. Europe, the European arm of mid-market buyout shop H.I.G. Capital, has acquired a majority stake in the Losberger Group. Germany-based Losberger produces, sells and leases temporary spaces such as modular event tents. Terms of the buyout were not released.
3 min read · 07 September 2011
AXA Private Equity is paying around 500 million euros ($700 million), backed by 290 million euros of debt, to buy French optical component maker Photonis from Astorg Partners, Reuters reported Wednesday. AXA has already owned a majority of Photonis – holding the company from 2001-2008 before selling to middle-market firm Astorg. ING, Societe Generale Corporate & Investment Banking and IKB acted as mandated lead arrangers and underwriters on the debt financing, while Indigo Capital and Partners Group arranged the mezzanine facilities, Reuters wrote.
2 min read · 07 September 2011
RegionalCare Hospital Partners, a company backed by Warburg Pincus, is merging with Essent Healthcare Inc., which is owned by Vestar Capital Partners and Cressey & Company. RegionalCare is based in Brentwood, Tennessee. Essent is based in Nashville. Together the two companies will create a seven-hospital system across Texas, Alabama, Connecticut, Ohio, Iowa and Pennsylvania. Financial terms of the deal were not released.
5 min read · 07 September 2011
