BN003644 28 de fevereiro de 2006 15:32 HORALOCAL
PARIS, Feb. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- European Capital, S.A.
SICAR announced today it has invested euro 22.5 million in the
mezzanine facility of Alma Consulting Group ("Alma"), the leading
French provider of tax recovery and cost reduction services for
companies. European Capital's investment represents 50% of the
mezzanine facility arranged by Royal Bank of Scotland, supporting
Apax Partners' acquisition of Alma. European Capital will be Agent of
the mezzanine facility and will have a Board observer seat. Alma
management and employees retain significant equity investments.
"European Capital is investing in the undisputed leader in a dynamic
market," said Ira Wagner, President of European Capital Financial
Services Limited ("European Capital Services"), the sub-investment
manager of European Capital. "In addition, we are very pleased to be
working with Apax Partners, one of the world's leading private equity
firms, and Royal Bank of Scotland, one of the leading leveraged loan
arrangers in Europe and the world."
European Capital has invested approximately euro 300 million ($356
million) in 14 companies since its formation in August of 2005.
For more information about European Capital, go to
http://www.EuropeanCapital.com .
"Alma has developed a low cost, standardized approach to achieving
cost savings for its clients," said European Capital Managing
Director Jean Eichenlaub. "It has a widely diversified, loyal client
base and operates in one of the fastest growing segments of overall
consulting services. Its strong sales growth, high margins and
extraordinarily high rate of contract renewals make it a very
attractive investment."
"We are supporting a strong, experienced and well incentivized
management team that has driven Alma's growth and remarkable
success," said European Capital Vice President Stephane Legrand.
Alma generates clearly identified, measurable and secured savings for
its customers with respect to social charges, tax-related costs and
G&A costs, as well as obtaining Research and Development tax credits
or subsidies. The Company is paid on the basis of an agreed
percentage of the savings achieved or subsidies obtained. Operating
from its two main offices in Paris and Lyon, Alma has a customer base
of 9,000 companies, including 60% of the top 200 largest French
companies. The Company has 585 employees, operates in France,
Belgium, Spain, Poland and Israel, and has seen annualized sales
growth above 20% over the past 10 years.
"We are pleased to work with European Capital and value our
relationship with them," said Apax Partners Director Simon Marc.
"They bring a rare combination of depth and speed to a transaction."
"European Capital immediately understood the investment thesis and
acted quickly to complete the transaction," said Royal Bank of
Scotland Managing Director Howard Sharp. "We are impressed with
their flexibility and
hard work."
ABOUT EUROPEAN CAPITAL
European Capital is a buyout and mezzanine fund with capital
resources of euro 750 million. European Capital invests in and
sponsors management and employee buyouts, invests in private equity
buyouts and provides capital directly to private and mid-sized public
companies. European Capital invests from euro 5 million to euro 125
million per transaction in equity, mezzanine debt and senior debt to
fund growth, acquisitions and recapitalizations.
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, or Nathalie Faure Beaulieu or Simon Henderson at
+ 44 (0)207 539 7000 in London, or visit our website at
http://www.EuropeanCapital.com .
ABOUT AMERICAN CAPITAL
American Capital Strategies Ltd. (Nasdaq: ACAS) is a publicly traded
buyout and mezzanine fund with capital resources of approximately $7
billion. American Capital invests in and sponsors management and
employee buyouts, invests in private equity buyouts, provides capital
directly to early stage and mature private and small public companies
and through its asset management business is a manager of debt and
equity investments in private companies and commercial loan
obligations. American Capital provides senior debt, mezzanine debt
and equity to fund growth, acquisitions, recapitalizations and
securitizations. American Capital invests up to $300 million per
transaction.
About Apax Partners
Apax Partners is one of the world's leading private equity investment
groups, operating across Europe, Israel and the United States. Apax
Partners has raised or advised approximately $20 billion around the
world. With over 30 years of direct investing experience, Apax
Partners' Funds provide long-term equity financing to entrepreneurs.
Apax invests in late venture, growth capital and buyouts. Apax
Partners' Funds invest in companies across its global sectors of Tech
& Telecoms, Retail & Consumer, Media, Healthcare and Financial and
Business Services. Other Apax investments include Travelex, the
world's largest foreign exchange specialist; SULO Group, one of
Germany's largest waste management companies; and UK consumer finance
group Picture Financial.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. The
statements regarding expected results of American Capital Strategies
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 American Capital has made
investments.
SOURCE European Capital
02/28/2006
CONTACT: Jean Eichenlaub, Managing Director, +33-0-1-40-68-06-66,
Stephane Legrand, Vice President, +33-0-1-40-68-06-66, or Brian
Maney, Director, Corporate Communications, +1-301-951-6122, all of
European Capital
Web site: http://www.EuropeanCapital.com
http://www.americancapital.com
(ACAS)
BNED: NG
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BRASIL-NÉLIA GARCIA
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