European Capital Invests in The One Stop Buyout(TM) Of DEVGLASS, Holds 40% Equity Stake
02/10/2007 19:36
PR Newswire
ST. PETER PORT, Guernsey, October 2 /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? 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
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