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The Wire

Private equity deal news and insights from the London newsroom

Oct 15, 2024

 

WestBridge’s Alpine Fire makes first add-on; Centerbridge in precision components deal

Good morning,

 

It’s Nina Lindholm with the Europe edition of the Wire from the London newsroom.

 

The data center market is booming and that’s offering up opportunities for private equity to invest in service providers to the industry. WestBridge-backed Alpine Fire has acquired a fire detection and suppression services provider to the data center market.

 

A rise in defense spending due to events such as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has increased private equity’s interest in aerospace and defense assets. This morning, we cover Centerbridge Partners’ acquisition of a precision components supplier in the aerospace, defense, space and semiconductor end markets.

 

We’ll finish with some people news, as Inflexion has promoted Flor Kassai to managing partner.

 

Cooling down

With the increase in cloud services and generative AI, the demand for data centers grows. Those data centers need fire protection, and PE has noted an opportunity. WestBridge portfolio company Alpine Fire Engineers has acquired Das Fire, a supplier of fire detection and suppression products.

 

For more on the deal, take a look at the premium Wire here.

 

In defense

Triton Partners’ Johannes Meier told PE Hub in March that the firm had identified that Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 “led to an increase of investments in security.” That has only accelerated since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with some countries joining the push to up defense spending.

 

Centerbridge Partners is the latest firm to make a move in the segment as it has agreed to acquire a supplier of precision components for applications in aerospace, defense, space, semiconductor and other high-requirement end markets.

 

To learn more about the deal, check out the full Wire coverage here.

 

For more on defense, take a look at my interview with Tikehau Capital’s Augustin Blanchard on the firm’s exit from Preligens.

 

Promotion

Let’s finish with some people news. Inflexion has appointed Flor Kassai as a managing partner alongside the co-founders John Hartz and Simon Turner.

 

For more on Kassai and the additional appointments, take a look at the premium Wire coverage here.

 

That’s all from me this morning. Obey Martin Manayiti will write to you with the US edition later today, and Craig McGlashan will be with you with the Europe edition tomorrow.


Cheers,

Nina

 

 

Read the full Wire commentary on PE Hub ...

Today's must reads

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> CohnReznick said to review PE investment interest by early 2025 More...
> Tower Peak’s Anthony Catachanas: A local approach to international investing More...

Also of note (may require subscriptions)

 

HSBC’s private banking arm targets global GPs with co-investment financing product. The credit advisory unit is seeking to fill a void by offering financing for PE employees who need assistance in meeting co-investment obligations, head of origination Mathieu Rabiller tells Private Equity International.

 

Will the US ever truly embrace private infra financing? I Squared founder Sadek Wahba joins The Infrastructure Investor Podcast to discuss his new book – Build: Investing in America’s Infrastructure – and shares his thoughts on the US election. (Infrastructure Investor)

 

GCM Grosvenor expands European resi partnership with Matter. The Chicago-based alternative asset manager is teaming up with the London-based firm to invest in two platforms focused on the sector. (PERE)

 

Butterfly Equity eyes co-investors for growth after Duckhorn take-private. Co-founder Adam Waglay says the Los Angeles-headquartered firm’s entry into wine comes after a decade of study that identified NYSE-listed Duckhorn and its market segment as key targets. (Agri Investor)

 

Moody’s: Default rates for private equity-backed companies on the rise. Dividend recapitalizations also trend up, but only among higher-rated borrowers. (Private Debt Investor)

Deals

> WestBridge-backed Alpine Fire makes first add-on deal with Das Fire More...
> Oaktree partners with B Riley Financial to form Great American Holdings More...
> SFEP-backed DGS Retail buys SMS Display More...
> Accel-KKR invests in LeagueApps More...
> Cathay-led investor group, Bosideng invest in Moose Knuckles More...
> Thirty-5 Capital makes first sports footwear investment with Sqairz More...
People
> Inflexion promotes Flor Kassai to managing partner More...
> Emerald Lake expands investment team with three new hires More...
> GTCR makes senior promotions and appointments More...

They said it

“Through Precinmac's constant focus on operational excellence and service to its customers, the company has positioned itself to benefit from an array of powerful secular tailwinds across its end markets.”

— Conor Tochilin, senior managing director, Centerbridge Partners

 

Today's letter was prepared by Nina Lindholm

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