Deals

Absa Capital Private Equity has offered to buy South Africa’s EnviroServ Holdings (J: ENVJ) for approximately $261 million.

Advance Engineered Products Ltd., a Saskatchewan-based manufacturer of specialized truck tanks and trailers, has acquired the Lazer Inox Group, a Quebec-based maker of stainless steel and aluminum on-road tanks. Financal terms weren’t disclosed. AEP is a portfolio company of Tricor Pacific Capital.

The Alberto-Culver Co. (NYSE: ACV) has completed the sale of its Cederroth International business to CapMan. Cederroth is a Stockholm, Sweden-based maker of personal healthcare products in the Nordic region and parts of Europe. No financial terms were disclosed.

Alex Stewart Group, a UK-based provider of verification services for commodity shipments, has acquired Eco Tech Laboratory Ltd., a provider of assay and geochemical services to the Canadian mining and exploration industry. No financial terms were disclosed. Close Brothers Private Equity sponsored a management buyout of Alex Stewart in November 2006.

American Industrial Partners has acquired E-One Inc. from Federal Signal Corp. No financial terms were disclosed. E-One is an Ocala, Fla.–based provider of fire rescue vehicles.

Apax Partners has completed its take-private acquisition of The TriZetto Group Inc., a Newport Beach, Calif.-based provider of IT products for the healthcare supply chain industry. The deal was valued at approximately $1.4 billion, with TriZetto stockholders receiving $22 per share in cash. TriZetto customers BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and The Regence Group will participate alongside Apax as equity investors.

Arcapita has agreed to sponsor a new transportation acquisition platform called MRH Holdings. The effort will be able to make between $1 billion and $1.5 billion in acquisitions, with Arcapita providing approximately $400 million. It will be run by Mark Holden, who previously was CEO of American Commercial Lines.

Asciano Ltd. (AX: AIO), Australia’s largest port and rail operator, has rejected an unsolicited Au$2.9 billion buyout offer from TPG Capital and Global Infrastructure Partners. The company said that the Au$4.40 per share offer undervalued its business.

Avista Capital Partners and Nordic Capital have completed their $4.1 billion acquisition of wound care company ConvaTec from Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Bain Capital Partners and Thomas H. Lee Partners completed their $17.9 billion buyout of Clear Channel Communications Inc.

The Blackstone Group has teamed up with Investment Corp. Dubai to bid on UK media group Informa PLC (LSE: INF), according to The Financial Times. Earlier reports had an alternate consortium of Carlyle Group, Providence Equity Partners and Hellman & Friedman, but the FT story said that Hellman & Friedman has walked away.

Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. completed the sale of a majority stake in its U.S. government business to The Carlyle Group for $2.54 billion. The move enabled Booz Hamilton to separate its U.S. government business and global commercial business, with each becoming stand-alone entities. Its U.S. government business has more than 18,000 employees in 80 global offices, and generates north of $2.7 billion in annual revenue.

Carlyle/Riverstone has agreed to acquire Canadian midstream energy company Gibson Energy Holdings Inc. from Hunting PLC (LSE: HTG) for C$1.1 billion.

The Carlyle Group has agreed to acquire a 48 percent stake in Italian clothing company Moncler, at an enterprise value in excess of €400 million. The company’s current shareholders are Mittel Private Equity (35 percent), Progressio Sgr (22 percent), ISA SpA (4 percent), CEO Remo Ruffini (38 percent) and other company management (1 percent). Post-transaction, the combined holdings of Mittel, Progressio and ISA will be 13.5 percent.

Chicago Growth Partners recently announced it had led a recap of Royall & Co. Holdings, a Richmond, Va.-based provider of recruitment services to traditional colleges and universities. It did not disclose any pricing information, but a regulatory filing reveals that the deal’s equity tranche was $92 million. In addition, the filing indicates that Goldman Sachs Private Equity Opportunities also participated.

Chrysler Financial, the finance arm of Cerberus-owned Chrysler LLC, has renewed its credit facilities, but cut the amount to $24 billion from $30 billion.

Code Hennessey & Simmons has acquired an undisclosed stake in Heartland Dental Care Inc., an Effingham, Ill.-based chain of affiliated dental practices. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

CriterionBrock, a Portland, Ore.-based provider of floor covering services for multi-family housing in the Western United States, has acquired Golden Creek Carpets Inc. of Houston, Texas. Financial terms weren’t disclosed for the deal, which was financed by Webbush Capital Partners, the Oregon Investment Fund and CriterionBrock management.

Denham Capital has acquired a majority equity interest in Multi-Shot LLC, a Conroe, Texas-based provider of directional drilling services in the North American oilfield services industry. The deal is valued at $165 million.

Doughty Hanson reportedly has offered to acquire 52 percent of Spanish ambulance provider Seur at an enterprise value of roughly €1 billion.

F9 Investments has acquired Proton Energy Systems, a developer of renewable hydrogen technology, from Distributed Energy Systems Corp. (OTC BB: DESCQ). The deal was valued at $10.2 million. F9 represents the private equity interests of Lumber Liquidators founder and chairman Tom Sullivan.

FleetPride, an independent aftermarket distributor of heavy-duty truck and trailer parts, has acquired Truck & Trailer Supply Inc., which has locations in Artesia and Roswell, New Mexico. Financial terms weren’t disclosed. FleetPride is owned by Investcorp, Banc of America Capital Investors and company management.

Friedman Fleischer & Lowe has abandoned its efforts to acquire fund services firm Loring Ward International (TSX: LO), after losing a bidding war with Loring Ward shareholder Werba Reinhard Inc. FFL originally agreed to buy Loring Ward for $16.50 per share, and later raised its offer to $17.35 per share. Werba kept countering, including its most recent — and ultimately winning — bid of $18 per share (roughly $140 million). FFL will receive a breakup fee and other transaction-related expense reimbursement.

Fulcrum Group, an outsourced administrator for hedge funds and the alternative asset management industry, has agreed to merge with Butterfield Fund Services, a provider of administration services for investment and pension funds. Existing Fulcrum shareholder 3i Group will retain a majority interest in the combined entity.

Genstar Capital has acquired Voice Construction, an Edmonton, Alberta-based provider of civil construction services to operators in the Alberta oil sands and surrounding areas. Pricing terms weren’t disclosed. CIBC and HSBC Bank Canada provided leveraged financing, while CIBC World Markets advised the selling Voice family.

Global Care Solutions LLC, a provider of furniture care and protection, has been formed via the merger of Stainsafe and Multimaster North America. No financial terms were disclosed. Stainsafe is majority owned by Palm Beach Capital, while Multimaster is a unit of Italy-based Uniters.

Gordon Brothers Group has acquired certain assets from Princeton, N.J.-based Clique Communications, including all of its webcam-related inventory and online domain assets. No financial terms were disclosed.

Hammond, Kennedy, Whitney & Co. reportedly has sponsored a recapitalization of Contract Land Staff LP, a Stafford, Texas-based provider of land management and right-of-way consulting. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

Hertie, a German department store chain owned by UK private equity firm Dawnay Day, has filed for insolvency. The company has more than 4,000 employees.

Huritga International Holdings of Singapore has acquired Ahead Magnetics, a San Jose, Calif.-based provider of specialty magnetic heads for video production, computer and data storage. Financial terms weren’t disclosed. Ahead Magnetics was advised on the deal by GW Equity.

IRG Capital Group and Blackbird Capital Partners have agreed to acquire the assets of Norwalk Furniture Group, a Norwalk, Ohio-based maker and retailer of upholstered furniture. No financial terms were disclosed for the deal, which enables NFG to resume operations it had suspended in June.

Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking Partners has acquired an undisclosed stake in SRAM, a Chicago-based maker of bicycle components for OEMs and independent bike dealers.

Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking Partners has completed its $210 million take-private buyout of Angelica Corp., a St. Louis-based provider of linen and textile products for the healthcare industry. Angelica stockholders received $22 per share.

Lightyear Capital has sponsored a leveraged recapitalization of Higher One Holdings Inc., a New Haven, Conn.–based provider of financial services for the higher education market. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

Luxury Ventures LLC, a Florida retailer of fine jewelry operating as Hendricks Jewelers, has received an undisclosed amount of private equity funding from Kairos Capital Partners. The infusion is part of a reorganization for Luxury Ventures, which filed for bankruptcy protection last November.

Marlin Equity Partners of Los Angeles has completed a take-private acquisition of Chelford Group PLC, a UK-based provider of enterprise and supply chain software solutions. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

MML Capital Partners has led a $75 million mezzanine investment in Yonkers Racing Corp., which manages New York State’s largest gaming facility. New York Life Capital Partners, a limited partner in MML, participated as a co-investor.

Monessen Hearth Systems, a Paris, Ky.-based maker of hearth products and accessories, has acquired the assets of rival CFM Corp., which had been in bankruptcy protection. Financial terms weren’t disclosed. Monessen is owned by The Riverside Co.

Najafi Cos. and its portfolio company Energy Capital Investments have acquired a majority stake in Solverdi, a producer of renewable fuel for military and large industrial users. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

NPC International Inc., a Lenexa, Kan.-based franchisee and operator of Pizza Hut franchises, has agreed to acquire 99 Pizza Hut units from Colonial Foods LLC for $35 million. NPC was acquired lin 2006 by Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity, and now operates 887 Pizza Hut restaurants and delivery/carryout units in 24 states.

Patriarch Partners has acquired a “significant equity interest” in BMU, the maker of AriZona Iced Tea. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

Perseus LLC has led a $160 million private equity investment in Vehicle Production Group LLC, a Troy, Mich.-based maker of vehicles for the taxi fleet market, paratransit markets and for consumers with mobility disabilities. Three Seasons Capital is also a VPG shareholder.

PlayCore Inc., a Chattanooga, Tenn.-based playground equipment maker owned by BSMB, has acquired Everlast Climbing Industries Inc., a Mendota, Minn.-based maker of climbing walls. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

Polaris Venture Partners has led a $50 million recapitalization of PartsSource, a maker of replacement medical repair parts for hospital equipment. Primus Capital also participated. Jason Trevisan from Polaris and Bill Mulligan from Primus will join the PartsSource board of directors.

Promax Nutrition, a maker of protein/energy bars and related foods, has acquired nutrition bar maker Pure of Holland LLC. Financial terms weren’t disclosed. Promax is a portfolio company of Marwit Capital.

RJD Partners has sponsored a £30 million buyout of Raphael Healthcare, a UK-based provider of specialist mental health services for women.

RJD Partners has sponsored a management buyout of IPES Holdings, a UK-based provider of outsourced fund administration services to private equity sponsors. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

The Riverside Company has acquired Wiz Korea, operator of a preschool education franchise in Korea. Financial terms weren’t disclosed for the deal, which is Riverside’s first in Korea.

The Riverside Company has acquired Results Weight Loss, a Naples, Fla.–based operator of weight-loss centers. Financial terms weren’t disclosed for the deal, which Riverside transacted out of its Micro-Cap fund.

Rockfish Seafood Grill, a Richardson, Texas-based operator of 14 casual dining restaurants, has been acquired by Charter Private Equity, White Oak Capital Partners, Capital Point Partners and incoming CEO Henry Leonard. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

Selig Sealing Products Inc., a manufacturer of closure lining materials, has acquired Unipac, a maker of foil and plastic inner-seals for packaging applications, from Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW). Financial terms weren’t disclosed. Selig Sealing is a portfolio company of Behrman Capital. In related news, Selig has secured a $125 million credit facility led by GE Commercial Finance, with funds also being provided by Madison Capital and BMO Capital Markets.

Sofinnova Partners has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Sagem Mobiles, the loss-making mobile handset business of France-based Safran (which will retain a 10 percent position). Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

Spectrum Equity Investors and Great Hill Partners have acquired a majority stake in Passport Health Communications Inc., a Franklin, Tenn.-based provider of payer and patient information technology services for healthcare providers. The two firms invested $232 million, while existing Passport backer Primus Capital Funds rolled over most of its existing stake and provided additional equity.

Sprint Nextel is in talks to sell its iDen wireless network to either NII Holdings or private equity firms, according to CNBC.

Tenaska Capital Management has formed Voyager Midstream LLC, a Houston-based midstream natural gas company staffed by Gulf Energy Development owner Tom Shaw. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

TransAlta Corp., a Canadian wholesale power generator and marketer, has rejected a C$7.75 billion buyout offer from LS Power Equity Partners and Global Infrastructure Partners.

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) reportedly is considering an offer to buy Dutch rival TNT NV, and may be partnering up with a private equity firm.

VitAG Corp., a Beach Island, S.C.–based recycler of municipal biosolids, has secured up to $60 million in private equity commitments from Denham Capital.

The Wicks Group of Cos. has agreed to acquire Harris Connect Inc., a Chesapeake, Va.-based provider of strategic affinity solutions. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.