I've been a business reporter for a while. I've covered Wall Street, venture capital and now private equity. I'm always looking for a scoop or something to talk about. I'm the eternal optimist and am still waiting for the Chicago Cubs to win the World Series. Yes, I believe.
Real estate funds managed by Ares Management L.P. have agreed to buy the Kustermann Park office complex in Munich, Germany. Financial terms weren’t announced.
2 min read · 05 October 2015
H.I.G. Middle Market, the dedicated middle market affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, has acquired Universal Fiber Systems LLC. Financial terms weren’t announced. Bristol, Virginia-based Universal Fiber produces custom solution-dyed synthetic fibers for the flooring, transportation, performance apparel and industrial fibers industries.
3 min read · 05 October 2015
NEOgás named R. Paul Grady as its new CEO effective Oct. 1. Grady retired earlier this year from AmeriGas where he was COO. NEOgás, of Rio de Janeiro, provides natural gas logistics services to energy consumers without access to a natural gas pipeline. NEOgás is a portfolio company of the Global Environment Fund.
3 min read · 04 October 2015
Proximity Malt LLC said Friday it closed a $60 million funding commitment from NGP Global Agribusiness Partners, an affiliate of NGP Energy Capital Management. Milwaukee-based Proximity Malt provides locally sourced and produced base and specialty malts for the craft brewing industry.
3 min read · 04 October 2015
AP Exhaust Technologies LLC, a portfolio company of Audax Group, said it completed the acquisition of Eastern Catalytic. Financial terms weren’t announced. Langhorne, Pennsylvania-based Eastern Catalytic supplies direct fit, universal, and manifold catalytic converters for the automotive light duty aftermarket. Madison Capital provided financing. Angle Advisors advised Eastern.
2 min read · 04 October 2015
Confie, a portfolio company of ABRY Partners, said Friday that it has acquired four insurance brokers with locations in Alabama, Western New York, and Florida. They include: TS Insurance Group, Schmitt & Kraft, Dunlap & Bajak and All Florida Insurance Group. Financial terms weren't announced.
2 min read · 02 October 2015
Euroscreen said Friday it raised 16 million euros (US$17.8 million) in a series B funding round. SFPI-FPIM and Fund+ co-led the round. Existing shareholders including Vesalius Biocapital II Partners, SRIW SA, BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity, as well as new comer as Capricorn Health-Tech Fund NV also participated. Euroscreen, a drug development company, is backed by Vesalius Biocapital, SFPI-FPIM, SRIW, Fund+ and BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity.
4 min read · 02 October 2015
Berry Plastics Group Inc. said Thursday it closed its buy of Avintiv Inc. from the Blackstone Group for about $2.45 billion. Charlotte, North Carolina-based Avintiv develops, produces and markets specialty materials used in infection prevention, personal care, and high-performance solutions. Credit Suisse and Barclays advised Berry Plastics. Citi and BofA Merrill Lynch provided financial advice to Blackstone.
2 min read · 02 October 2015
Alcentra Capital Corp. said Thursday it provided capital to support CM Equity Partners’ buy of Graco Supply and Integrated Services. Financial terms weren’t announced. Fort Worth, Texas-based Graco Suppy is a distributor of chemical products, packaging services, and related supply chain and vendor managed inventory services for the manufacture and maintenance, repair, and overhaul of commercial and military aircraft.
3 min read · 02 October 2015
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners said Thursday it closed its buy of Caring Brands International Inc. Financial terms weren’t announced. Sunrise, Florida-based Caring Brands is a franchisor of home healthcare services. Piper Jaffray & Co. and North Point Advisors advised Caring Brands.
3 min read · 02 October 2015
