Western Europe

ECI does two deals in two days(2)

UK mid-market firm ECI Partners has sold Nuaire, a UK manufacturer of ventilation systems, to Electra Partners, generating an internal rate of return of 80 percent. It has also bought CliniSys, a provider of healthcare software, for £61 million.

KKR to rejoin A$20bn Coles bidding war(2)

Shares in Australian retailer Coles Group continued to climb as a A$20 billion bidding war between local rival Wesfarmers, a Kohlberg Kravis Roberts-led buyout consortium, and other international trade players looked increasingly likely.

Rival suitor emerges for Boots(2)

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts may yet face some serious competition for UK health and beauty chain Alliance Boots, after reports that Terra Firma and the Wellcome Trust are planning a rival bid.

Apollo, Centerbridge battle continues(2)

CEVA Logistics, an Apollo portfolio company, has offered $1.8 billion in cash for transport and logistics firm EGL. The offer, Apollo’s fourth, is a 13.2 percent premium over an agreed Centerbridge-backed bid that Apollo is trying to block with litigation.

Index backs social networking site(2)

Index Ventures has led the first financing round for Netlog, a social networking site with pan-European aspirations.

Aureos backs Panama aluminium business(2)

Aureos has invested $5m in a Panama aluminium company, as the expansion of the Panama Canal continues to drive growth in the country’s construction sector.

Astorg buys Ethypharm(2)

French buyout firm Astorg and mezzanine provider Intermediate Capital have bought pharmaceutical company Groupe Ethypharm for an undisclosed sum.

Gresham backs bottle-maker(2)

Esterform Packaging, a UK bottle manufacturer, has received £30 million from Gresham Private Equity.

Bain and Odewald sell German printer(2)

Bain Capital and German investor Odewald have sold 2D Group, a German printing group, to Quadriga Capital.

Hg strengthens renewable energy portfolio(2)

European buyout firm HgCapital has bought a French wind farm portfolio for €69 million. The deal is the latest wind farm investment for Hg’s renewable energy team.