European Capital Invests in The One Stop Buyout(TM) Of DEVGLASS, Holds 40% Equity Stake
St. Peter Port, Guernsey (ots/PRNewswire)
European Capital S.A. SICAR, a wholly-owned subsidiary of European
Capital Limited (LSE: ECAS), announced today that it has invested in
the One Stop Buyout(TM) of DEVGLASS, the leading independent French
manufacturer and distributor of dual-pane insulated glass for
windows. The investment was led by the Paris office of European
Capital Financial Services Limited ("European Capital Services"), the
sub-investment manager of European Capital. The investment was made
by European Capital S.A. SICAR and its subsidiary ECAS S.a.r.l, and
takes the form of senior bonds, senior and junior mezzanine bonds,
convertible bonds and common equity. European Capital holds 40% of
the equity in DEVGLASS alongside Olivier Rambeau, DEVGLASS' Chairman
and CEO, who continues to hold a majority equity stake."We are pleased to be investing in DEVGLASS and partnering with an exceptional management team that has an impressive entrepreneurial track record," said Jean Eichenlaub, Managing Director of European Capital Services. "European Capital will support DEVGLASS' further development."
"Aided by the evolution of the regulatory framework and the development of government incentives aiming at reducing energy consumption, as well as the increasing demand from consumers, the market for insulated double-glass windows should keep experiencing sustainable growth," said Stephane Legrand, European Capital Services Director. "Led by a proven and committed management team, DEVGLASS commands a significant market edge, having been at the forefront of guaranteeing short lead times facilitated by its strategic plant locations, highly automated production process and efficient logistics chain."
"DEVGLASS' strict quality standards and responsiveness have earned it a broad and loyal customer base," said Olivia Reveilliez, European Capital Services Manager. "DEVGLASS has a clearly defined plan to further consolidate its leading market position through both the build-up of sales with existing clients and the recruitment of new customers."
DEVGLASS produces insulated glass in a process that includes glass cutting, preparing spacers and assembling glass/pane spacers. DEVGLASS has four main product groups: standard double-glass; superior double-glass with improved heating and/or sound insulation; laminated safety and security double-glass panes; and newly-introduced triple-glass. Headquartered in Vendee, France, DEVGLASS has manufacturing plants in Saint-Laurent-sur-Sevre, Vendee and in Alencon, Orne. DEVGLASS has nearly 300 employees and is expected to achieve more than 60 million euro of sales in 2007, equating to a 20% compound average growth rate over the past five years.
"We are delighted that European Capital is investing in DEVGLASS," said Olivier Rambeau, DEVGLASS Founder, Chairman and CEO. "Its strong one stop financing package, flexibility and capacity in assisting us in developing the group provides invaluable support for our expansion plans."
European Capital has invested over 1.7 billion euro (US$2.4 billion) in the last twelve months, 1.4 billion euro (US$1.9 billion) year to date and 425 million euro (US$601 million) quarter to date. For more information about European Capital's portfolio, go to http://www.ECAS.com/our_portfolio/portfolio.html
ABOUT EUROPEAN CAPITAL
European Capital is a publicly traded investment company for
pan-European equity, mezzanine and senior debt investments with
capital resources of approximately 2.3 billion euro (US$3.2 billion).
It is managed by European Capital Financial Services (Guernsey)
Limited ("ECFSG" or "the Investment Manager"), a wholly-owned
affiliate of American Capital Strategies, Ltd ("American Capital").European Capital invests in and sponsors management and employee buyouts, invests in private equity buyouts and provides capital directly to private and public companies headquartered predominantly in Europe. European Capital generally invests between 5 million euro and 500 million euro per transaction in equity, mezzanine debt and senior debt to fund growth, acquisitions and recapitalizations.
The investment objective of European Capital is to provide investors with dividend income and the potential for share value appreciation by investing in debt and equity investments in private and public companies headquartered primarily in Europe. European Capital seeks to achieve this through pursuing the following types of investments:
European Capital One Stop Buyouts(TM)
Through our One Stop Buyouts(TM), European Capital provides equity, mezzanine debt and senior debt as the lead investor in the buyout of private and public companies.
Mezzanine Direct with Sponsors
European Capital provides debt and equity financing for buyouts sponsored by private equity firms where European Capital is either the sole or lead mezzanine debt investor.
Syndicated Mezzanine and Senior Debt
European Capital provides mezzanine and senior financing for buyouts sponsored by private equity firms where European Capital is neither the sole nor lead mezzanine or senior debt investor.
Direct Investments
European Capital provides debt and equity financing directly to private and public companies, which is used for growth, acquisitions or recapitalisations, and investing in structured finance vehicles.
Companies interested in learning more about European Capital's flexible financing should contact Jean Eichenlaub at +33-(0)1-40-68-06-66 in Paris, Nathalie Faure Beaulieu or Simon Henderson at +44-(0)20-7539-7000 in London, Robert von Finckenstein at +49-(0)69-7171-2970 in Frankfurt, or Luis Felipe Castellanos at +(34)-91-745-99-63 in Madrid, or visit the website at http://www.EuropeanCapital.com.
ABOUT AMERICAN CAPITAL
American Capital Strategies Ltd. (Nasdaq: ACAS), with US$16 billion in assets under management(1), is an affiliate of European Capital and a member of the S&P 500. It is the largest U.S. publicly traded private equity firm and one of the largest publicly traded alternative asset managers. American Capital, both directly and through its global asset management business, is an investor in management and employee buyouts, private equity buyouts, and early stage and mature private and public companies. American Capital provides senior debt, mezzanine debt and equity to fund growth, acquisitions, recapitalizations and securitizations. American Capital and its affiliates invest from US$5 million to US$800 million per company in North America and 5 million euro to 500 million euro per company in Europe.
(1)Assets Under Management is an estimate of internally and externally managed assets as of August 31, 2007 and does not include any fair value adjustments subsequent to June 30, 2007.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. The statements regarding expected results of European Capital and/or American Capital are subject to various factors and uncertainties, including the uncertainties associated with the timing of transaction closings, changes in interest rates, availability of transactions, changes in regional, national or international economic conditions, or changes in the conditions of the industries in which European Capital and/or American Capital has made investments.
Web site: http://www.EuropeanCapital.com http://www.ECAS.com/our_portfolio/portfolio.html
Contact:
Jean Eichenlaub, Managing Director, +33-(0)1-40-68-06-66; or Stephane
Legrand, Director, +33-(0)1-40-68-06-66, or Olivia Reveilliez,
Manager, +33-(0)1-40-68-06-66, or Marie Bal, Communications Manager,
+33-(0)1-40-68-68-66, all of European Capital Limited