Deals

3i Group reportedly has entered exclusive talks to acquire a stake in noted U.K. architectural firm Foster & Partners, in a deal that could value the business at between £400 million and £500 million. Catalyst Corporate Finance is advising Foster & Partners. Foster projects include the Beijing Airport, the new Wembley Stadium and the Millennium Bridge across the Thames.

Accutest Corp., a Dayton, N.J.–based operator of environmental testing laboratories, has received an undisclosed amount of private equity funding from Boulder Capital.

Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA has agreed to sell its Continental Auto unit to National Express Group PLC for £449.7 million. Losing bidders include 3i Group, Arriva PLC and a joint bid from Doughty Hanson and Mercapital.

Advent International is nearing a £550 million deal to acquire U.K. shareholder services company Lloyds TSB Registrars. Lehman Brothers is advising Lloyds TSB on the sale.

Aearo Corp., a portfolio company of Permira, has signed a commitment letter with a syndicate of lenders led by Bank of America, Bear, Stearns & Co. and Deutsche Bank to recapitalize the company. The new financing is comprised of a senior secured first-lien facility and a senior secured second-lien facility which total $735 million. Proceeds will be used to refinance amounts outstanding under the company’s existing credit facilities and fund a preferred stock redemption and closing. Aearo is an Indianapolis-based manufacturer of personal protective equipment and energy-absorbing products.

AIG Global Investment Group has acquired a 65 percent stake in Bulgarian Telecommunications Co., Bulgaria’s only fixed-line telephone operator, for €1.08 billion. AIG also is expected to soon acquire an additional 25 percent position.

Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA) said that it may put its packaging and consumer businesses up for sale. The move sent Alcoa stock up more than 5 percent, in part because the divestitures could make Alcoa a more attractive buyout candidate.

Allied Capital has agreed to acquire a majority interest in Old Orchard Brands LLC, a Sparta, Mich.-based maker of ready-to-drink and frozen juice products. Allied’s $64.6 million investment included senior notes, senior subordinated notes and a majority of the common equity of the company. Senior company management also provided equity alongside Allied. William Blair advised Old Orchard on the deal.

American Education Group, a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based prep school acquisition platform, has launched with $35 million in private equity funding from Winona Capital Management and Chicago Growth Partners.

Ampac Packaging LLC, a Cincinnati-based packaging company backed by Falcon Investment Advisors and Prudential Capital Group, has acquired Mohawk Northern Plastics, an Auburn, Wash.-based manufacturer of flexible packaging for the food, beverage, home and garden and industrial markets. No financial terms were disclosed.

Andrew Corp. (Nasdaq: ANDW) has retained CIBC to advise it on a sale of its satellite communications division, which generated approximately $122 million in 2006 sales.

Apollo Management has sweetened its bid for logistics company EGL Inc. (Nasdaq: EAGL) from $41 per share to $43 per share. The bid values EGL at approximately $1.75 billion. EGL earlier this year accepted a $38 per share sale to a group that includes EGL CEO Jim Crane, Centerbridge Partners and The Woodbridge Co. Apollo has sued to block that agreement, arguing that EGL had ignored a higher offer from Apollo.

Appleseed’s Topco Inc., a portfolio company of Golden Gate Capital, has completed its acquisition of Blair Corp. (AMEX: BL) for $42.50 per share in cash. The total transaction is valued at approximately $173.6 million. Blair Corp. is a Warren, Pa.-based catalog and multi-channel direct marketer of women’s and men’s apparel and home products.

Baird Capital Partners has led an acquisition of The Mayline Group, a Sheboygan, Wis.-based maker and distributor of office furniture, from and affiliate of the Barancik Group. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which also included participation from BMO Mezzanine Fund, Hexigon Investments and company management.

Bally Total Fitness (NYSE: BFT) has agreed to sell six of its Toronto-based health clubs to Extreme Fitness Inc., a portfolio company of Falconhead Capital. The deal is valued at approximately Cdn$19.6 million.

Battery Ventures has increased its takeover price for Quovadx Inc. (Nasdaq: QVDX) from $3.15 per share to $3.20 per share, for a revised transaction value of approximately $139.1 million. The deal includes: Quovadx’s ISD division, which provides enterprise solutions for hospitals, government entities and health plans; and its Rogue Software group, which provides reusable software components and services to professional developers application development. It will not include Quovadx’s CareScience division, which was sold in a separate transaction to Premier Inc. for $34.9 million.

Bertram Capital has acquired Power Distribution Inc., a Richmond, Va.-based designer, manufacturer and servicer of power distribution, power monitoring and static switching equipment. The deal was valued at around $60 million, while PDI was advised by Edgeview Partners.

Blue Wolf Capital Management and Atlas Holdings have agreed to acquire Glenn Falls, N.Y.-based papermaker Finch, Pruyn & Co. No financial terms were disclosed.

Bridgepoint has acquired Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBIA) for £145.5 million. It is Bridgepoint’s second airport deal, having become the largest single investor in Birmingham International Airport 10 years ago, and later selling its stake in 2001. Leveraged financing for the LBIA transaction was provided by Royal Bank of Scotland, while the sale process was managed by Ernst & Young.

Carex Health Brands, a portfolio company of KCA Partners, has acquired Thera-Med Inc., a Waco, Texas-based maker of hot and cold packs for pain relief therapy. No financial terms were disclosed.

The Carlyle Group and engineering company Babcock are expected to submit final offers to acquire the Devonport submarine shipyard in Britain, according to The Guardian. First round bids for the shipyard — officially called Devonport Management Ltd. — were in the range of Gbp350 million.

Circle Peak Capital has sponsored a recapitalization of Fieschbein LLC, a Statesville, N.C.–based manufacturer of highly-engineered packaging and material handling equipment. No financial terms were disclosed.

Citigroup Venture Capital International has agreed to acquire 30 percent of Turkish department store Boyner Magazacilik and 50 percent of Turkish fashion retailer Beymen for a an aggregate purchase price of $188.7 million.

Clear Channel Communications Inc. (NYSE: CCU) has delayed its shareholder meeting by two weeks, in order to further evaluate a sweetened buyout offer from Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners. Clear Channel initially dismissed the buyout firms’ offer to raise their bid from $39 per share to $39.20 per share, but later reconsidered at the request of certain shareholders.

Climate Change Capital has acquired Quality Tonnes, a Washington, D.C.–based carbon consultancy, methodology developer and project originator. No financial terms were disclosed.

CMIA Capital Partners has merged portfolio companies FerroChina Ltd. and Everbright, into a single company with a pro forma market capitalization of around $860 million. FerroChina manufactures heavy-gauge, galvanized steel coils used mainly in the building and construction industry. Everbright is involved in the manufacture and sale of thin-gauge galvanized steel coils used mainly in the consumer electronics, home appliances, computer, automobile and building material industries.

Coates Hire, a listed Australian machinery rental company, said that it has been approached by private equity suitors. The company’s shares rose to their highest level in five years on the news, with Coates Hire saying that it has retained Macquarie Bank as its advisor. The private equity firms’ identities were not disclosed, although the Australian Financial Review suggests that both Ironbridge Capital and CCMP Capital Asia might have interest.

CVC Capital Partners and PAI Partners have offered to acquire Spanish cigarette maker Altadis for €12.8 billion. The €50 per share offer tops a previously-rejected €48 per share offer from Imperial Tobacco Group.

DLJ Merchant Banking Partners has agreed to make a “significant investment” in Specialized Technology Resources Inc., an Enfield, Conn.–based provider of testing and quality assurance services for the consumer products industry.

Dockwise and Sealift have agreed to merge, in order to form a single maritime company focused on the heavy transportation market. No financial terms were disclosed. The merger has been approved by 3i Group, the largest Dockwise shareholder, and Bermuda-based Frontline, the largest shareholder in Oslo-listed Sealift.

DST Systems Inc. (NYSE: DST) has agreed to sell a “significant” stake in wireless services company Asurion Corp. to undisclosed private equity firms. DST said it will receive $600 million in after-tax proceeds from the deal, and that it will retain a 6 percent ownership position in Asurion.

Eagle Hospitality Properties Trust Inc. (NYSE: EHP) has agreed to be acquired for $13.35 per share by a consortium that includes affiliates of Apollo Management, Aimbridge Hospitality LP and JF Capital Advisors. Eagle was advised by Morgan Stanley on the deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter.

ECI Partners has acquired CliniSys, a Surrey, U.K.-based supplier of laboratory information management systems to the European healthcare market. The deal is valued at £61 million, plus an earn-out of up to £2 million from its founding shareholders, some of whom are re-investing in the business. Current CliniSys CEO Fiona Pearson will remain in place, while ECI is bringing former Ken Briddon, former CEO of JBA PLC, as chairman.

EdgeStone Capital Partners has agreed to acquire the assets of Custom Direct Income Fund (TSX: CDI.UN) for Cdn$199 million. CDIF owns Custom Direct LLC, which sells checks, check-related accessories and related products in the United States.

Electra Partners has acquired Nuaire Group Ltd., a Caerphilly, U.K.-based maker of ventilation systems for the commercial, residential and OEM markets, from ECI Partners. The total transaction value was not disclosed, but Electra did say that it had invested £34 million. Bank of Ireland was the sole mandated lead arranger, while Bank of Scotland also participated.

EMI Group PLC has received takeover interest from One Equity Partners, Cerberus and Fortress, according to The Financial Times. The U.K.-based music publisher is expected to be valued at approximately $6 billion.

Entrix Inc., a Houston, Texas-based environmental consulting company, has acquired Biological Research Associates LLC, a Tampa, Fla.-based consulting firm focused on natural resource projects, including wetlands, endangered species and water-related work. No financial terms were disclosed. Entrix was acquired by The Riverside Company in 2003.

Fillmore Capital Partners has raised its bid for Genesis HealthCare Corp. (Nasdaq: GHCI) from $64.75 per share to $65.25 per share. Genesis previously had agreed to a $64.25 per share bid from Formation Capital and JER Partners and would be required to pay a $15 million breakup fee were it to accept the Fillmore offer. Genesis is a Kennett Square, Pa.-based long-term care provider with more than 200 skilled nursing centers and assisted living residences in 13 eastern states.

Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (NYSE: GAP) confirmed that it is seeking to sell 66 Farmer Jack grocery stores in and around Detroit. A&P acquired the Farmer Jack chain in 1999.

GS Capital Partners has agreed to acquire Myers Industries Inc. (NYSE: MYE), an Akron, Ohio-based manufacturer of polymer products for industrial, agricultural, automotive, commercial and consumer markets. The deal is valued at approximately $1.07 billion, including assumption or repayment of approximately $276 million in debt. Myers stockholders would receive $22.50 per share.

GS Capital Partners has completed its $17 per share buyout of insurance broker USI Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq: USIH). The total transaction was valued at approximately $1.4 billion.

Hancock Park Associates has agreed to acquire the “open air” roof-systems and automotive design-services units of ASC Inc. No financial terms were disclosed.

HgCapital has paid €69 million to acquire a French wind farm portfolio from German power producer Enertrag. Bank of Scotland provided leveraged financing. The deal involves four wind farms located in the Picardy region of France. One is already in operation, with the other three to be built over the next year. As part of the deal, Enertrag will operate and maintain the wind farms for 20 years.

HitecVision Private Equity has agreed to acquire 40 percent of Poseidon Group AS, a Norwegian supplier of engineering, system solutions, technology and consulting services within construction, operation and maintenance of sub-sea oil and gas fields. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which includes commitments for follow-on financing.

J.F. Lehman & Co. has agreed to acquire the Inertial Products business of BAE Systems (Nasdaq: BEAS), for $140 million. Inertial Products supplies military and commercial customers with inertial sensors and measurement units for the control, navigation and guidance of aircraft, precision weapon systems, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, aerial targets and drones, tanks and fighting vehicles. The sale also includes BAE Systems’ share of Silicon Sensing Systems, a joint venture between BAE and Sumitomo Precision Products.

Karp Reilly has acquired a majority position in restaurant chain Z’Tejas Inc. The deal is reported to be valued at between $25 million and $35 million. Kapr Reilly was formed earlier this year by former Apax Partners pros Allan Karp and Chris Reilly.

Kinderhook Industries has acquired Otravel.com Inc. from Overstock.com Inc., for a purchase price of $17 million. Otravel.com is a Park City, Utah-based operator of a travel website for skiers. The deal represents the first acquisition for Castles Media Co., a new Kinderhook-sponsored acquisition platform run by former Primedia executive Julian Castelli.

KKR and GS Capital Partners have agreed to acquire Harman International Industries Inc. (NYSE: HAR) for approximately $8 billion. Harman stockholders would have the option to either receive $120 per share in cash, or to exchange some of their shares for shares in the newly-formed private company. The total number of Harman shares that can elect to participate in the stock swap is approximately 8.3 million, or $1 billion (27% equity position, following the transaction). Leverage is being provided by Bank of America Securities LLC, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers. Bear Stearns is advising Harman on the sale. Harman is a manufacturer of audio products and electronic systems for the automotive, consumer and professional markets.

Kronos Inc. (Nasdaq: KRON) said that it will hold a special shareholder meeting on June 8, in order to vote on a proposed $55 per share buyout offer led by Hellman & Friedman. The total deal values Kronos at approximately $1.8 billion.

Levco Group has acquired Coverall Industries LLC, a provider of residential homebuilding services. No financial terms were disclosed. Coverall was advised on the sale by Citigroup Capital Strategies.

Littlejohn & Co. has agreed to acquire gourmet coffee company Van Houtte Inc. (TSX: VH) for Cdn$25 per share. The total enterprise value is approximately Cdn$600 million, including the assumption of indebtedness. CIBC World Markets advised Van Houtte on the transaction.

Littlejohn & Co. has agreed to acquire plastic tape maker Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (NYSE: ITP) for $4.76 per share. The total transaction is valued at approximately $500 million.

Local Insight Media LLC, a provider of print directories and Internet-based local search services in Alaska and the Caribbean, has agreed to acquire Hawaiian Telcom Yellow Pages. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which includes a 50-year publishing agreement in which Insight will serve as the exclusive, official publisher of print and online directories for Hawaiian Telcom. Local Insight Media was originally formed by Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe with a focus on the Alaskan and Caribbean markets, and later merged with CBD Media LLC, publisher of the Cincinnati Bell-branded yellow pages. WCAS holds a majority stake, with former CBD shareholder Spectrum Equity Investors holding a minority position.

LS Power Equity Partners has completed its acquisition of six U.S. natural gas fired plants from Mirant Corp. (NYSE: MIR) for approximately $1.41 billion.

Macquarie Bank and TPG have formally abandoned their bid for Australian airline carrier Qantas, after Australian regulators refused to allow the buying group to count supporting shares that it acquired after last Friday’s deadline. The firms originally said that they would appeal the ruling, but have since changed their minds.

Merck KGaA has narrowed the field for its generic drugs business to four, according to Dow Jones. The only private equity finalist is a joint bid from Apax Partners and Bain Capital. Strategic offers are coming from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Mylan Laboratories Inc. and Actavis Group.

Montagu Private Equity has acquired Survival-One from CHC Helicopter Corp. (NYSE: FLI), for £16.8 million. Survival-One is an Aberdeen, U.K.-based company focused on the manufacture, repair and distribution of cold-water survival suits and other safety equipment.

Nataxis and White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd. have formed Pentelia Capital Management, a Bermuda-based asset management company focused on the insurance risk securitization market. PCM’s initial fund is capitalized with $600 million, and will invest in a diversified portfolio of life and non-life insurance-linked assets, including adverse mortality bonds, weather derivatives, terrorism insurance, life settlements, cat bonds and property catastrophe reinsurance.

National Truck Protection Co., a Carlstadt, N.J.-based provider of heavy-duty truck inspection and warranties, has raised an undisclosed amount of funding from Palladian Capital Partners (equity) and Praesidian Capital Investors (secured senior notes). Company management also participated on the equity tranche.

Natural Gas Partners has agreed to acquire the domestic power production and power development business units of MDU Resources Group Inc. (NYSE: MDU), in a transaction valued at $636 million. The businesses being acquired include Centennial Power Inc. and Colorado Energy Management LLC. NGP has teamed on the deal with energy industry executive Paul Prager, who will serve as the carved-out company’s CEO. Barclays and Goldman Sachs are providing leveraged financing.

Nautic Partners has agreed to acquire a 67 percent stake in the Canada Cartage Diversified Income Fund (TSX: TRK.UN), a provider of dedicated trucking services. The total deal is valued Cdn$140 million, with Nautic to pay Cdn$11.30 per share.

The New York Times Co. has completed the sale of its Broadcast Media Group to Oak Hill Capital Partners for $575 million. The group consists of nine network-affiliated television stations.

Onex Healthcare Holdings, a subsidiary of Onex Corp. (TSX: OCX), has completed its acquisition of the Health Group of Eastman Kodak Co. (NYSE: EK). The deal included $2.35 billion in cash at closing, plus up to $200 million in possible milestone payments. Kodak’s Health Group provides molecular imaging systems, medical and dental imaging, including digital x-ray capture, medical printers and x-ray film.

Patheon Inc. (TSX: PTI), a Toronto-based contract drug manufacturer, has raised $150 million in PIPE funding from JLL Partners. The deal gives JLL a 25 percent ownership stake in Patheon, which could expand to more than 30 percent.

Repechage Investments Ltd., a fundless equity sponsor, has acquired Vancouver-based pub chain operator Elephant & Castle Group Inc. (OTC: PUBSF). No overall terms were disclosed, except that Fifth Street Capital is providing $7.5 million in second-lien notes and GE Canada is providing senior notes.

The Riverside Company has acquired International Junior Golf Tour Inc., a Hilton Head, S.C.-based golfing academy for young people. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which was done out of riverside’s micro-cap fund.

Select Medical Corp., a Mechanicsburgh, Pa.-based portfolio company of Welsh Carson Anderson & Stowe and Bravo Equity Partners, has completed its acquisition of HealthSouth Corp.’s Outpatient Rehabilitation division for approximately $245 million in cash. The division includes approximately 600 facilities in 35 states that provide rehab for general orthopedic and sports injuries.

Sorenson Capital Partners and Peterson Partners have agreed to acquire institutional furniture maker MITY Enterprises Inc. (Nasdaq: MITY) for $21.50 per share.

Southern Theaters LLC, a New Orleans-based movie theater chain backed by Veronis Suhler Stevenson, has acquired Birmingham, Ala.-based AmStar Entertainment LLC for $40.5 million. Bank of Montreal is providing leveraged financing for the acquisition.

Sun Capital Partners has acquired the assets of K.K. Tarami, a Japan-based maker of fruit and fruit-flavored gelatin cups. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which is Sun’s first in Japan.

TMB Industries, a Chicago-based private equity firm, has acquired Richland Center, Wis.-based iron casting maker Richland Center Foundry from Schneider Fuel & Supply Co. No financial terms were disclosed.

TPG is getting some help in its efforts to acquire Spanish airline Iberia. Vista Capital, a private equity joint venture between Banco Santander and RBS, said that it has joined the TPG consortium, while British Airways also is reportedly being wooed. TPG made an informal €3.41 billion approach for Iberia, which also may receive an offer led by Apax Partners.

Trans-Fast Remittance LLC, a New York-based money transfer company focused on the U.S.-to-Latin America market, has received an undisclosed amount of private equity funding from Greenhill Capital Partners.

United Central Industrial Supply Co., a portfolio company of American Securities Capital Partners, has acquired the Mine Supply division of Persinger Supply Co. No financial terms were disclosed.

Universal American Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: UHCO) has agreed to acquire pharmacy benefits manager MemberHealth Inc. for approximately $630 million (55 percent cash, 45 percent UAF stock). The deal is being backed by a $350 million PIPE investment in UAF by Lee Equity Partners, Perry Capital, Union Square Partners Management (f.k.a. Capital Z) and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. The PIPE is valued at $20 per share, with $100 million funded within the next two weeks and the remainder to be funded when the MemberHealth transaction closes in Q3.

The Weatherly Group has agreed to acquire Fitz, Vogt & Associates, a Walpole, N.H.–based foodservice management company. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which comes as company founder Carl Fitz retires.

Wendy’s International Inc. (NYSE: WEN) has formed a special committee of independent directors to explore strategic options, including a possible sale of the company. The fast food company has a market cap of approximately $3 billion, and has been under increasing pressure from shareholders like hedge fund manager Nelson Peltz.

Woodside Capital has acquired and merged Rehrig International and United Steel & Wire, both manufacturers of shopping carts and other material handling equipment for retailers. No financial terms were disclosed. The combined company will be based in Richmond, Va., and be named Rehrig United International.

ZS Fund has acquired VSPI Inc., a Troy, Mich.–based provider of commuter vanpooling services. No financial terms were disclosed, except that the deal was backed by $44 million in credit facilities from NewStar Financial.