EQT heads bid consortium for Securitas Direct

A private equity consortium has made a US$1.5bn offer for Swedish security business Securitas Direct.

ESML Intressenter, comprising Nordic buyout group EQT, Saki, Melker Schorling and Investment AB Latour, has offered Skr26 per B share for Securitas Direct.

The group said that the offer was at a premium of 41% to the average closing price of Securitas Direct in the previous three months and a 25% premium over Monday’s closing price. The group added that they plan to de-list the company.

Securitas Direct, which focuses on homes and small businesses, was established as a unit of Securitas in 1988 before being spun off and listed last year.