Western Europe

Exponent and Barclays eye Trinity Mirror(2)

UK newspaper company Trinity Mirror has reportedly entered exclusive negotiations for the sale of its Midlands titles to Exponent Private Equity and Barclays Private Equity.

Argos Soditic finally exits stake in DPAM(2)

The French buyout firm has brought to an end its nine-year majority ownership of Paris-listed children’s retailer Du Pareil Au Même, selling its stake through a private placement.

IK engineers billion-Euro return in secondary sale(2)

European buyout firm CVC Capital Partners has bought engineering company DYWIDAG-Systems International from Industri Kapital, delivering a triple digit IRR and a double digit return on its investment after two years.

Buyout firms circle Land Rover and Jaguar(3)

Several private equity firms, including Cerberus Capital Management, Ripplewood Holdings and One Equity Partners, are reportedly looking at bids for car-maker Ford Motor Company’s two luxury UK marques, Land Rover and Jaguar.

Close Ventures invests in software start-up(2)

VCT manager Close Ventures has invested £1.5 million in UK software company Process Systems Enterprise.

IK engineers billion-Euro return in secondary sale

European buyout firm CVC Capital Partners has bought engineering company DYWIDAG-Systems International from Industri Kapital, delivering a triple digit IRR and a double digit return on its investment after two years.

Inflexion buys stake in Jack Wills(3)

UK mid-market firm Inflexion Private Equity has made its first retail investment, buying a minority stake in casual clothing retailer Jack Wills.

Advent buys Takko from Permira(2)

European buyout firm Permira has sold Takko, a German fashion discount chain, to Advent International for €770 million. The deal comes as Permira looks to sell another retail asset – UK high street chain New Look.

Carlyle plots $22bn Virgin Media bid(3)

The Carlyle Group is preparing a $22 billion takeover bid for UK cable TV and mobile phone business Virgin Media, as it looks to replicate the success of its previous European investments in the sector.

Apollo buys GE Unit for $3.8bn

The New York-based firm will buy GE Advanced Materials, General Electric’s second largest unit.