European Capital Refinances Euro 40 Million in Senior Bonds of DEVGLASS
18/10/2007 20:52
PR Newswire
ST. PETER PORT, Guernsey, October 18 /PRNewswire/ --
European Capital Limited ("European Capital") (LSE: ECAS) announced today
that on 9 October a wholly-owned subsidiary of European Capital completed the
refinancing of euro 40 million in senior bonds of portfolio company DEVGLASS.
Banque Populaire Atlantique and Natixis each provided euro 20 million of
senior term loan facilities. Following the refinancing, European Capital
continues to hold senior and junior mezzanine bonds, convertible bonds and
common equity in DEVGLASS. European Capital completed its original One Stop
Buyout(TM) of DEVGLASS on July 13, 2007 alongside Olivier Rambeau, DEVGLASS'
CEO and Chairman, who continues to hold a majority stake. Since June 2007,
European Capital has refinanced euro 292 million of senior commitments in
three One Stop Buyouts(TM).
"We are very pleased to have worked with Banque Populaire Atlantique and
Natixis on this transaction. They have proven to be very reliable partners,"
said Stephane Legrand, European Capital Financial Services Director.
"Throughout their long term relationship with DEVGLASS, Banque Populaire
Atlantique and Natixis developed a thorough knowledge and understanding of
the Company. This enabled them to quickly respond to this financing
opportunity and move rapidly towards completing the refinancing", said Olivia
Reveilliez, European Capital Financial Services Manager.
Founded in 1998, DEVGLASS is a leading manufacturer of insulated glass
for windows. 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 350 employees and is expected to achieve more than euro 60 million of
sales in 2007, equating to a 20% compound average growth rate over the past
five years.
For more information about European Capital's investment in DEVGLASS, go
to http://www.ECAS.com/news/newsreleases/2007/pr20071002.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 euro 2.3 billion (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 euro 5 million and euro 500 million 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
recapitalizations, 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,
Simon Henderson or Nathalie Faure Beaulieu at +44-(0)-20-7539-7000 in London,
Robert von Finckenstein at +49-(0)-69-71-71-297-0 in Frankfurt, or Luis
Felipe Castellanos at +(34)-91-745-99-63 in Madrid, or visit the website at
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
euro 5 million to euro 500 million per company in Europe.
(1) Assets Under Management is an estimate of internally and externally
managed assets as of September 30, 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.americancapital.com
Stephane Legrand, European Capital Financial Services Director, Olivia Reveilliez, European Capital Financial Services Manager, Marie Bal, European Capital Financial Services Communications Manager, all of European Capital Limited, +33-(0)-1-40-68-68-66