Public Exits

GlobalStar Inc., a Milpitas, Calif.-based provider of voice and data communications services via satellite, has set its proposed IPO terms to 6.5 million common shares being offered at between $16 and $18 per share. It plans to trade on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol GSAT, with Wachovia Securities and JPMorgan serving as co-lead underwriters. Shareholders include Thermo Funding Co., Columbia Ventures Corp., Banc of America Securities and Qualcomm.

Acquicor Technology Inc. (AMEX: AQ) has agreed to acquire Jazz Semiconductor Inc., via a $260 million reverse merger. Acquicor is a blank check acquisition company formed earlier this year by former Apple Computer executives Gilbert Amelio, Ellen Hancock and Steve Wozniac. Jazz is a Newport Beach, Calif.-based wafer foundry that was formed in 2002 by The Carlyle Group, Conexant Systems Inc. and RF Micro Devices Inc. Jazz had been in registration for a $105 million. The reverse merger is expected to close in Q1 2007.

Altra Holdings Inc., a Quincy, Mass.-based provider of mechanical power transmission and motion control products, has filed to raise $172.5 million via an IPO of common stock. It plans to trade on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol AIMC, with Merrill Lynch and Wachovia Securities serving as co-lead underwriters. Genstar Capital is Altra’s majority shareholder, with Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec also holding a significant stake.

Animal Health International Inc. (a.k.a. Walco), a Westlake, Texas-based distributor of animal health products in the U.S., has filed to raise $155.25 million via an IPO of common stock. It plans to trade on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol AHII, with JPMorgan serving as lead underwriter. Charlesbank Capital Partners holds a 76.4% pre-IPO position.

Bare Escentuals Inc., a San Francisco-based cosmetics company, priced 16 million common shares at $22 per share ($15-$17 range), for an IPO take of approximately $352 million. It will trade on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol BARE, while Goldman Sachs and CIBC World Markets served as co-lead underwriters. Shareholders Berkshire Partners and JH Partners hold post-IPO positions of 38.2% and 25.8%, respectively.

Eagle Test Systems Inc., a Mundelein, Ill.-based provider of automated test equipment for the semiconductor manufacturing industry, priced 5.5 million common shares being at $16.50 per share in a secondary offering. TA Associates sold 2.5 million shares in the offering, and retains a 29.2% ownership position.

EV Energy Partners LP of Houston, Texas has priced 3.9 million LP interests at $20 per share, for an IPO of approximately $78 million. It will trade on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol EVEP, while Raymond James and A.G. Edwards served as co-lead underwriters. The company was formed earlier this year by EnerVest to acquire, produce and develop oil and gas properties. EnCap Investments also is a shareholder.

Carrols Holding Corp., a Syracuse, N.Y.-based operator of Burger King, Pollo Tropical and Toca Cabana franchise restaurants, has filed to raise $210 million via an IPO of common stock. It plans to trade on the Nasdaq, with Wachovia Securities and Banc of America Securities serving as co-lead underwriters. Shareholders include Madison Dearborn Partners.

CVR Energy Inc., a Sugar Land, Texas-based producer of ammonia and urea-ammonia nitrate, has filed to raise $300 million via an IPO of common stock. Shareholders include Goldman Sachs and Kelso & Co.

ICF International Inc., a Fairfax, Va.-based consulting and technology services firm, priced 4.67 million common shares at $12 per share, for an IPO take of approximately $56.04 million. It will trade on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol ICFI, while UBS served as lead underwriter. CM Equity Partners was the company’s majority shareholder pre-IPO, and still retains a significant ownership position.

Mindray International Medical Ltd., a China-based medical device maker, priced 20 million American depository shares at $13.50 per share, for an IPO take of approximately $270 million. It is trading on the NYSE under ticker symbol MR, with Goldman Sachs (Asia) and UBS having served as lead underwriters. GS Capital Partners held a 9.64% pre-IPO position.

NewStar Financial Inc., a Boston-based provider of debt financing for middle-market businesses, has filed to raise $100 million via an IPO of common stock. It plans to trade on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol NEWS, with underwriters including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup and Wachovia Securities. Shareholders include Capital Z Partners, Corsair Capital, JPMorgan Capital and Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.

Paradigm Ltd., a Cayman Islands-based provider of enterprise software for the global oil and gas exploration and production market, has filed to raise $200 million via an IPO of common stock. It plans to trade on the Nasdaq, with Lehman Brothers, UBS and Banc of America Securities serving as co-lead underwriters. Fox Paine holds a 92.3% pre-IPO position.

Telemar Participacoes, a provider of communications services in Brazil, has withdrawn registration for a proposed $1.45 billion IPO. The company cited “unfavorable market conditions.” Telemar shareholders include GP Investimentos.

Warner Chilcott, a Rockaway, N.J.-based drug company focused on women’s healthcare and dermatology, priced 70.6 million common shares at $15 per share (below $17-$19 range), for an IPO take of approximately $1.06 billion. It plans to trade on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol WCRX, while Goldman Sachs served as lead underwriter. The company was taken private in early 2005 for $3.1 billion by a private equity consortium that included Bain Capital, DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, JPMorgan Partners and Thomas H. Lee Partners.