VCJ Staff

Equity Office Properties Trust (NYSE: EOP) is willing to consider higher buyout offers than the $48.50 per share bid from The Blackstone Group, according to a proxy statement. If it were to accept such an offer, however, it would be required to pay Blackstone a $200 million breakup fee. The proxy statement also said that […]

Investcorp has agreed to acquire Armacell International GmbH from Gilde Buyout Fund and CVC Capital Partners. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which is expected to close next month. Armacell is a Minster, Germany-based provider of flexible technical insulation.

Vantage Energy LLC, a Denver-based oil and gas company formed in October, has raised $470 million in private equity funding from Quantum Energy Partners, Carlyle/Riverstone and Lime Rock Partners. Vantage will focus on the acquisition, development and exploration of unconventional natural gas resources, primarily tight gas sands, gas shales and coalbed methane, onshore in North […]

Embarcadero Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: EMBT), a San Francisco-based provider of strategic data management solutions, has canceled its proposed acquisition by Thoma Cressey Equity Partners. The deal had been valued at approximately $234 million, or $8.38 per share (29% premium to the closing price prior to the announcement). Neither side will pay termination fees. No formal […]

The Carlyle Group has agreed to acquire Dallas-based roofing and building products company ElkCorp (NYSE: ELK) for approximately $1 billion (including the assumption of $173 million in net debt). Bank of America and Merrill Lynch have made leveraged financing commitments. ElkCorp shareholders would receive $38 per share, which is a 51% premium to the trading […]

Hermes Private Equity has acquired Independent Living Group, a UK-based provider of residential care for adults with severe and profound learning disabilities. No financial terms were disclosed. HBOS provided leveraged financing. www.hermesprivateequity.co.uk

Fidelity Ventures has acquired eCredit Inc., a Dedham, Mass.-based provider of online solutions for commercial credit and collections professionals. No financial terms were disclosed, except that Fidelity also provided $11 million in growth capital and installed venture partner Jim Swift as CEO. eCredit shareholders included North Hill Ventures, Apex Venture Partners, Internet Capital Group and […]

RoundTable Healthcare Partners has recapitalized portfolio company ACI Medical Devices Inc., a medical device group with two units: Argon Medical Devices Inc. and Clinical Innovations Inc.  Argon is an Athens, Texas-based maker of single-use vascular access and pressure monitoring devices utilized in the cardiology, radiology and critical care market segments. Clinical is a Murray, Utah-based designer […]

H.I.G. Capital has recapitalized Augusta Lumber Co., a Waynesboro, Va.-based supplier of hardwood logs, lumber and flooring. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which was done in partnership with company management. www.higcapital.com

SPG Partners has acquired and capitalized Continental Environmental Redevelopment Financial LLC, which provides access to debt financing for the development of brownfield properties. The deal will enable CERF to originate in excess of $500 million in loans, with other equity backers including Citigroup Global Markets and Credit Suisse.