VCJ Staff
Four Seasons Hotels Inc. (NYSE: FS) said that its board has approved an $82 per share buyout offer from Cascade Investment (backed by Bill Gates), Kingdom Hotels International (backed by Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud) and Four Seasons chairman and CEO Isadore Sharp. The total deal would values the company at approximately […]
Star Capital Partners has made two purchases in the flight simulator space: A majority stake of General Electric Commercial Aviation Training (GECAT) from General Electric's Commercial Aviation Services business (GECAS) and SAS Flight Academy from SAS AB. The deals value the combined businesses at more than $275 million, and are expected to close within the […]
Timberland Co. (NYSE: TBL) has called off its auction, according to The Deal. The Stratham, N.H.-based boot and clothing company had hired Goldman Sachs last year to run the process, and had received interest from both strategic and private equity suitors. No word on why the company has opted to remain independent and public. www.timberland.com
Soros Private Equity Partners is among several private equity firms circling fashion designer Nanette Lepore, according to the NY Post. The company had 2006 sales of approximately $85 million.
Fenway Partners has agreed to acquire a majority interest in Gemini Traffic Sales Inc., an Edison, N.J.-based regional truckload carrier specializing in the transportation of time- and temperature-sensitive products. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which is being done in partnership with Gemini management. www.fenwaypartners.com www.geminitrafficsales.com
Superior Vision Services Inc., a Rancho Cordova, Calif.-based provider of managed vision care plans, has completed a $54.25 million recapitalization. The deal included $19.25 million of equity led by ABS Capital Partners and sourced by DCA Capital Partners, while the $35 million debt tranche was provided by ORIX Venture Finance. www.superiorvision.com
Advent International has acquired an 80% interest in Pronto, a consumer credit company in Uruguay, from a group of local individuals. No financial terms were disclosed. Advent was joined on the deal by Argentinean firm Grupo de Servicios y Transacciones SA. www.adventinernational.com
Weston Presidio has completed its acquisition of Evenflo Inc. from Harvest Partners. Evenflo is a Vandalia, Ohio-based maker of baby products like car-seats, strollers and highchairs. LBO Wire previously reported that Credit Suisse was syndicating a $205 million financing package for the deal. www.evenflo.com
American Securities Capital has acquired steel bridge fabricator PDM Bridge LLC from Kirtland Capital Partners, according to LBOWire. No financial terms were disclosed. Kirtland had acquired the Eau Claire, Wis.-based company in March 2002 from Pitt-Des Moines Inc. www.pdmbridge.com
RedZone Capital, a private equity firm run by Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, has agreed to acquire the Johnny Rockets restaurant chain for an undisclosed amount. Snyder said that he hopes to help expand the 2000-restaurant chain to around 1,000 locations within the next five years (including smaller Johnny Rockets Express shops).