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AMERICAS
Antin Infrastructure Partners, a private equity firm, agreed to acquire Vigor Marine Group, a marine services provider, from Lone Star Funds, a private equity firm, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Antin Infrastructure Partners is advised by JP Morgan, Latham & Watkins, Milbank and Brunswick Group (led by Tristan Roquet Montegon). Vigor Marine Group is advised by Evercore, Macquarie Group and Kirkland & Ellis, according to press releases.
Gemspring Capital-backed Trax, a global pioneer of image recognition, completed the merger with FORM, a SaaS mobile data collection platform, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
FORM was advised by Moelis & Co and Kirkland & Ellis. Trax was advised by Deutsche Bank and Holland & Knight. Gemspring Capital was advised by Lincoln International and Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison (led by Edward T. Ackerman and Jeffrey D. Marell), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.
SCI Capital Partners-backed Reddy Ice, a manufacturer and distributor of packaged ice products, agreed to acquire Arctic Glacier, a North American provider of ice products and services, from Carlyle, an American multinational private equity, according to press releases. Financial terms are not disclosed.
Arctic Glacier is advised by Debevoise & Plimpton, Rule Garza Howley, and Deutsche Bank. Reddy Ice is advised by Latham & Watkins and BMO Capital Markets, according to press releases.
KKR, a global investment firm, agreed to acquire Arctos Partners, a premier institutional investor in professional sports franchise stakes, for $1.95bn, according to press releases.
Arctos is advised by Bank of America, Kirkland & Ellis (led by Jonathan Benloulou and Michael Considine) and Prosek Partners. KKR is advised by Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher & Bartlet, according to press releases.
Apollo Global Management, an alternative investment manager, completed an investment in GoodLife Group, a Canadian fitness company, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Apollo Global Management was advised by Jefferies & Company, Blake Cassels & Graydon and Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison. GoodLife Group was advised by Guggenheim Partners and McMillan, according to press releases.
SunSource, a fluid power and automation distributor, completed the acquisition of Vytl Controls, an industrial equipment supplier, from MiddleGround, a private equity firm, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
SunSource was advised by Debevoise & Plimpton (led by Christopher Anthony). Vytl Controls and MiddleGround were advised by Robert W Baird, Solomon Partners and Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson, according to press releases.
First Reserve, a private equity firm, agreed to invest in WGI, an engineering, design and infrastructure solutions provider. Financial terms were not disclosed.
WGI is advised by AEC Advisors and Lawson & Weitzen. First Reserve is advised by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (led by Michael Holick) and Joele Frank (led by Jonathan Keehner), according to MergerLinks data and press releases.
Trive Capital, the Dallas-based private equity firm, completed the investment in PavCon, a provider of advanced predictive analytics and decision-support solutions, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
PavCon was advised by Stout Capital and Bean Kinney & Korman. Trive Capital was advised by Willkie Farr & Gallagher (led by Brandon McCoy and Omar Shariff), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.
Bain Capital-backed Rocket Software, a privately held software development company, agreed to acquire Vertica, a part of Open Text's non-core Analytics portfolio, from Open Text, a global software company, for $150m, according to press releases.
Open Text is advised by Goldman Sachs and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom (led by Christopher Barlow), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.
Lightyear Capital, a private equity firm, agreed to acquire PayByPhone, a technology company specializing in digital parking solutions, from Corpay, a global business payments and spend management company, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Corpay is advised by Deutsche Bank and Jones Day (led by Patrick Baldwin), according to press releases.
J.F. Lehman, a middle-market private equity firm, completed the acquisition of Reclamation Technologies USA, a provider of full‑service refrigerant recovery and reclamation solutions, and Tradewater, a company specializing in the collection and control of high-impact refrigerant and methane gases, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Reclamation Technologies USA was advised by Brown Gibbons Lang & Company, according to press releases.
AEA Investors, a private equity company, completed the majority investment in Magna5, a provider of managed IT, cybersecurity, and cloud-based services to small and mid-sized, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
AEA Investors was advised by Joele Frank (led by Kate Thompson), according to press releases.
Flexpoint Ford-backed Clearstead Advisors, a registered investment advisor and financial consulting firm, completed the acquisition of The Clarius Group, a multi-family office registered financial advisor, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The Clarius Group was advised by Houlihan Lockey, according to press releases.
Center Rock Capital, a private investment firm specializing in driving long-term value creation for middle-market industrial businesses, completed the acquisition of Control Devices segment from Stoneridge, a designer and manufacturer of highly engineered electrical and electronic systems, for $59m, according to press releases.
Stoneridge was advised by UBS, according to press releases.
Arsenal Capital Partners-backed Invio Automation, a full-service automation partner specializing in the development and implementation of advanced automation solutions, completed the acquisition of Calvary Robotics, an automation and robotics company, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Calvary Robotics was advised by Houlihan Lokey, according to press releases.
Tiger Global, an investment firm, led a $1bn Series H round in Cerebras Systems, a company specializing in AI acceleration technology, with participation from Benchmark, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Atreides Management, Alpha Wave Global, Altimeter, AMD, Coatue and 1789 Capital, according to press releases.
Cerebras Systems was advised by Zm Communications, according to press releases.
Dragoneer Investment Group, DST Global and Sequoia Capital, private equity and venture capital firms, led a $16bn financing round in Waymo, an autonomous vehicle development company, with participation from Alphabet, Andreessen Horowitz, Mubadala Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, Silver Lake, Tiger Global, T. Rowe Price, BDT & MSD Partners, CapitalG, Fidelity Management & Research Company, GV, Kleiner Perkins, Perry Creek Capital, and Temasek, according to press releases.
Autopilot Ventures, a research-driven venture firm, led a $300m Series C round in Skyryse, a developer of aviation automation and simplified flight controls, with participation from Fidelity Management & Research Company, ArrowMark Partners, Atreides Management, BAM Elevate, Baron Capital, Durable Capital Partners, Positive Sum, Qatar Investment Authority, Rokos Capital Management and Woodline Partners, according to press releases.
Rio Tinto, a global mining group, and Aluminum Corporation of China, a multinational corporation, agreed to acquire a 68.6% stake in Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio, an aluminium producer, from Votorantim, an investment holding company, for $903m, according to press releases.
BlackRock’s GIP teams up with EQT in bid to acquire power firm AES. ( Bloomberg)
BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners has teamed up with EQT in a bid to acquire power company AES Corp.
The two investment firms are in discussions to reach an agreement to acquire AES, which supplies renewable power to technology companies including Microsoft. No final decision has been made, and the talks may continue or ultimately not proceed.
Billionaire activist investor Peltz open to more buyouts. ( Reuters)
Nelson Peltz stated that he is considering buying companies outright again through Trian Fund Management, signaling a potential return to full takeovers alongside activist campaigns.
The billionaire investor, who co-founded Trian in 2005, stated that future deals could complement his long-standing strategy of pushing for management and board changes at major companies.
GDI’s top investors oppose Birch Hill’s takeover bid as too low. ( Bloomberg)
Two major shareholders in Canada’s GDI Integrated Facility Services have said they will reject a take‑private offer from Birch Hill Equity Partners Management and the company’s chief executive.
Gestion de Portefeuille Stratégique Medici, which holds 15.4% of GDI’s subordinate voting shares, said the offer of C$36.60 ($26.79) per share is inadequate and does not reflect the company’s intrinsic value or its medium‑ and long‑term prospects.
CAZ debuts fund for wealthy to buy stakes of private-asset firms. ( Bloomberg)
Alternative investment manager CAZ Investments has launched a fund for high‑net‑worth individuals that will invest in private‑asset firms, a specialised strategy gaining traction amid increased activity in the secondaries market.
The CAZ GP Stakes Fund will be available through major wealth‑management platforms and will offer daily subscriptions and quarterly redemptions, the firm said in a statement on February 3rd.
Brookfield Asset Management names Connor Teskey CEO. ( WSJ)
Brookfield Asset Management has appointed Connor Teskey as chief executive, succeeding long-time CEO Bruce Flatt, who will remain chairman and continue as CEO of parent Brookfield.
The move follows heightened focus on succession after Flatt took on the chair role in 2025, following Mark Carney’s departure to pursue political leadership in Canada.
EMEA
Permira, an investment firm, agreed to acquire a minority stake in Carne Group, an European independent third-party management company, according to press releases. Financial terms are not disclosed.
Carne Group is advised by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Raymond James, Linklaters, Matheson and SEC Newgate (led by Clotilde Gros). Permira is advised by Kroll, Oliver Wyman, Deloitte, Rothschild & Co, A&L Goodbody, Freshfields, Headland Consultancy, Ernst & Young and Alvarez & Marsal, according to MergerLinks data and press releases.
Vivo Capital, a global investment firm, agreed to acquire Dutscher Group, an independent distributor of R&D laboratory consumables and equipment in Europe, from LBO France, a private equity firm that focuses on equity, venture, real estate and debt, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Vivo Capital is advised by Howden, LEK Consulting, Marsh, EY Parthenon, Natixis Partners, Jeantet, Mayer Brown, Sidley Austin, Prosek Partners and EY Societe d'Avocats. LBO France is advised by Deloitte, Messier & Associes, King & Spalding and Taddeo, according to press releases.
Peter Jones completed the acquisition of American Golf, the UK’s largest golf retailer, from Endless, a private equity firm, according to press release. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Peter Jones was advised by Grant Thornton and Reed Smith (led by Daryl Cue). Endless was advised by Alvarez & Marsal, Addleshaw Goddard and KPMG , according to press releases and MergerLinks data.
Regent, a private equity firm, completed the acquisition of the ContiTech OESL business from Continental, an automotive parts manufacturing company, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Jupiter Fund Management, a UK fund management group, completed the acquisition of CCLA Investment Management, an asset manager focused on serving non-profit organisations, for £100m ($136m), according to press releases.
Henkel, a German multinational chemical and consumer goods company, agreed to acquire Stahl, a company specializing in coatings and treatments for flexible substrates, from Wendel, an investment company, for €2.1bn ($2.48bn), according to press releases.
Wendel is advised by Morgan Stanley, according to MergerLinks data.
Intera Partners, a private equity firm with a focus on growth and internationalization of Finnish and Swedish companies, agreed to acquire Suvia Group, a provider of damage inspection and assessment, collision repair and spare parts services, from MB Funds, a private equity firm, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
MB Funds is advised by Dittmar & Indrenius (led by Anders Carlberg), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.
Pinewood in the UK jumps on news of a $792m deal discussion with Apax Partners. ( Reuters)
Pinewood Technologies’ shares jumped up to 28% after the company said it was prepared to accept a £575.5m ($792m) deal with Apax Partners, provided the private‑equity firm submits a formal bid.
Apax, which has approached the company several times before, offered 500 pence per share—almost 30% above Pinewood’s closing price on Thursday.
EQT weighs sale of stake in software firm Thinkproject. ( Bloomberg)
EQT is considering a sale of its stake in software‑as‑a‑service provider Thinkproject.
The Swedish investment firm is working with Arma Partners to assess potential investor interest in Thinkproject.
Brookfield nears sale of London’s CityPoint office tower. ( Bloomberg)
Brookfield is in exclusive talks to sell London’s CityPoint office tower to private equity firm Castleforge for about £455m ($623m), roughly matching the debt secured against the property.
The 36-storey building is backed by a financing package that includes commercial mortgage-backed securities and a junior loan facility.
Canadian pension funds to exit UK’s biggest port operator in £10bn deal. ( FT)
Two Canadian pension funds are preparing to sell their stakes in Associated British Ports in a transaction that could value the UK’s largest ports operator at more than £10bn ($13.7bn). The move comes as investors show renewed appetite for large transport and infrastructure assets.
CPPIB, which owns 34% of ABP, and OMERS, holding 33%, have hired Morgan Stanley to evaluate options and gauge buyer interest. The planned sale would reshape the shareholder base of ABP, which operates 21 ports across the UK and is considered a core long‑term infrastructure holding.
Bain and Blackstone are among the bidders for UK vitamin maker Vitabiotics. ( Bloomberg)
Bain Capital and Blackstone are among the private equity firms advancing to the next bidding round for Vitabiotics, the UK supplements maker run by former Dragons’ Den investor Tej Lalvani.
EQT and TPG have also moved forward in the process. The company, known for several leading UK vitamin brands, could fetch around £900m ($1.2bn) in a potential sale.
APAC
KKR, an investment firm, and Singtel, a Singaporean multinational telecommunications conglomerate, agreed to acquire the remaining 82% stake in ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, a data centre provider, from ST Telemedia, an active investor in the communications, media and technology areas, for $5.1bn, according to press releases.
Singtel is advised by Morgan Stanley, according to MergerLinks data.
Advent International, a private equity firm, agreed to acquire a 14.3% stake in Aditya Birla Housing Finance, an India-based housing finance company, from Aditya Birla Capital, a financial services provider operating as a diversified non-banking financial company, for $304m, according to press releases.
Bain Capital, a private investment firm, agreed to acquire FineToday, a personal care company, from CVC Capital Partners, a private equity and investment advisory firm, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
GIC and Mubadala to join KKR's $10bn STT deal. ( Bloomberg)
GIC and Mubadala Investment are in talks to join KKR and Singapore Telecommunications in a potential acquisition of data center operator STT GDC, in what could be one of the largest digital infrastructure deals in recent months.
The sovereign wealth funds would back the KKR-led transaction as minority co-investors. A potential deal could value STT GDC at more than $10bn, including debt, and discussions are ongoing.
Blackstone is considering selling Interplex’s $1bn ICT unit. ( Bloomberg)
Blackstone is weighing a sale of Interplex’s information and communications technology division as interest builds from other private equity firms and industry buyers.
The firm has brought in a financial adviser to explore a deal. The ICT unit could fetch more than $1bn if a transaction moves forward.
Elliott intensifies standoff over Toyota Industries buyout. ( Bloomberg)
Elliott Investment Management said it continues to oppose the Toyota Group’s proposal to acquire Toyota Industries at a valuation of JPY6.1trn ($39bn), maintaining pressure on the Japanese conglomerate after it declined to raise its tender offer.
The US-based activist investor, which held a 6.7% stake in Toyota Industries as of Jan. 15, said the revised tender offer of JPY18,800 ($121.15) per share still “very significantly undervalues” the company.
Temasek and LIC plan to share sales in NSE's India IPO. ( Bloomberg)
Temasek Holdings and Life Insurance Corporation of India are expected to be among the key sellers in the potential $2.5bn initial public offering of the National Stock Exchange of India.
State Bank of India and BI Capital Markets are also likely to participate as sellers in the long-awaited listing, which is expected to involve the sale of about 4% to 4.5% of the exchange’s equity by existing shareholders.
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