Overview

AES’s mechanical seals are used in a variety of pumps and rotating equipment worldwide to prevent liquids and gases escaping into the environment. A wide range of mechanical seal types are manufactured to suit different industries and the significant investment made in modular design means that AES provides the best on-time delivery performance in the industry. 

The AESSEAL® range of seals, seal support systems and bearing protectors are designed to improve reliability and reduce maintenance costs of rotating equipment. The business is focused on giving customers such exceptional service that they need never consider alternative sources of supply.

Highlights

• Established a strong international position in many end-user markets including the most arduous Oil & Gas applications
• Exceptional customer service on engineered specials provided through planned under-utilisation of 9 and 11 axis machines and world class integrated CAD / CAM and PLM
• Received 13 Queen’s Awards
• Global service is provided through 38 fully or majority owned international subsidiaries

Overview

Aspen Pumps designs, manufactures and distributes specialised mini pumps that remove condensate water from air conditioning and refrigeration systems. It is the global leader for mini pumps and is renowned for having the most reliable, installer friendly and innovative products. Additionally, it sells a range of products for air conditioning installers and engineers, including its range of accessories, Aspen Xtra, and rooftop mounting systems, Big Foot.

Following our acquisition of Aspen in 2015, the business is building on its market leading position and further penetrating international markets in Europe, the Americas and Asia through a number of organic and acquisitive initiatives to enhance its offering of value-added components, tools and accessories.

Highlights

• Strong international presence with products available in over 100 countries
• Completed four acquisitions in France, Germany, Australia and the UK since our investment
• Global sales force effectiveness initiative rolled out in 2016 to further accelerate organic growth globally
• Focus on innovation and new product development, with a number of successful new product launches in 2016 and 2017
• 80% increase in revenues in the first two and a half years of our investment

Overview

Cirtec Medical ("Cirtec")is a leading global provider of outsourced medical device and components design, engineering and manufacturing. It is headquartered in Minnesota, operating three facilities across the United States with additional operations in Germany through a subsidiary, Vascotube GmbH (“Vascotube”). Cirtec specialises in outsourced solutions for active implantable devices in the areas of neuromodulation, structural heart, drug delivery, cardiac rhythm management, ventricular assist and minimally invasive devices. Customers rely on Cirtec’s expertise to provide value-add solutions throughout the entire development cycle to help bring life-enhancing therapies to market.

 The medical device outsourcing (MDO) market is expected to grow at a high single digit rate over the next five years and Cirtec is strategically positioned to serve attractive therapeutic end-markets that are set to grow at a rate beyond the broader MDO industry.

Highlights

• Helping Cirtec expand capabilities and footprint through the acquisitions of Vascotube and Top Tool
• Supporting the business through continued targeted acquisitions within the highly fragmented MDO market
• Utilising our sector experience and international network to promote Cirtec’s organic growth plans

Overview

Dynatect is a leading manufacturer of engineered, mission critical protective equipment. Its products are made from a variety of materials ranging from nylons to metals and are designed to protect and elongate the life of valuable equipment and protect workers near machinery. Products are low-cost yet critical, such as cable carriers or telescopic protective covers, and are sold into a large number of end-markets including automation, machine tools, construction, agriculture, transportation, medical and O&G. 

The company is headquartered in Wisconsin, USA, and operates a number of manufacturing plants and distribution locations across North America, Europe and Asia.

Highlights

• Continued growth in North America and Europe both organically and through acquisition
• Taking advantage of the fragmented international market by acquiring two acquisitions in Germany: Halltech and MFB Technik
• Strengthening its position in North America through new product development and growth into new end markets

Overview

Etanco is the leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of building fasteners and fixing systems in France. Headquartered near Paris with 600 employees, the company also has distribution entities in Belgium, Italy and Eastern Europe and exports to more than 20 countries around the world through its Italian subsidiary Friulsider.

Etanco provides a full range of 80,000 products to cope with all the fastening needs of the “building envelope” including waterproofing, roofing, cladding, facades and safety lines. This extensive product range enables Etanco to offer products that meet specific market requirements and growing environmental and European regulatory standards. The company runs an integrated business model with 30%-40% of its products manufactured in-house, and offers world class logistics with all customised products being produced in small series and delivered in less than 48 hours directly to the construction worksite.

As a leading innovator of technical products, Etanco is well positioned to capitalise on the longer term trend of increasing thermal regulation (energy saving) across Europe.

Highlights

• Successfully delivered sales force effectiveness optimisation programme
• Professionalisation and refocus of the business’ approach to export sales, resulting in a 20% annual growth of exports sales
• Executing a buy-and-build strategy to both build a direct salesforce within a new market, and buy complementary product ranges

Overview

Belgium-headquartered EURO-DIESEL was established in 1989. The Company designs, manufactures and maintains Diesel Rotary Uninterruptable Power Supply systems (“DRUPS systems) for top-tier customers in EMEA, the Americas and Asia Pacific through its worldwide network of 12 subsidiaries and over 40 distributors.

EURO-DIESEL has seen significant international expansion through the success of its unique NO-BREAK KS® DRUPS systems which ensure that its customers are immediately protected from power supply failures. This is a mission-critical product for its customers, which include data centres, hospitals, airports, banks, road and railway tunnels.

Highlights

• Technological leader position sustained through the expansion of its international sales organisation, and continued investment in product innovation
• Our extensive international experience and contacts in the sector supports EURO-DIESEL’s ambitious international growth agenda
• Introduced Peter Grosch as Chairman and Mike Tobin OBE as Non-Executive Director via our Business Leaders Network

Overview

Formel D was founded in 1993 and has over 9,000 employees at 80 facilities in 19 countries worldwide. Formel D is a global service provider to the automotive and component supply industry, developing concepts and scalable solutions for quality assurance and process optimisation along the entire automotive value chain - from development to production through to aftersales.

Highlights

• Attractive international growth opportunities both organic and through acquisition
• Partnering with management to expand the business’ client base in Asia and increasing higher “value-add” services
• Introduced CITIC Capital China Partners III, L.P as an investment partner with a broad network in China
• Ralph Heck introduced as Chairman via our Business Leaders Network

Overview

Q Holding is a leading global manufacturer of highly-engineered, precision-molded elastomeric components and fully assembled devices used in a broad range of Life Sciences (medical and pharmaceutical) and Electrical Management (automotive, industrial and aerospace) applications. Headquartered in Ohio, it sells products in over 50 countries and has 13 manufacturing locations in North America, Europe and Asia.

Q Holding has built a strong reputation as the supplier of choice to provide high-quality components that are mission critical. It has developed longstanding relationships with a broad range of blue chip customers who value their ability to develop such critical products and solutions.

Highlights

• Transformational acquisition of Degania Silicone Ltd., a leading global manufacturer of medical catheters in 2016
• Continues to pursue select M&A opportunities to assist in delivering its geographic, end-market, product, and capability expansion plans
• Focused on achieving significant organic growth, driven by its differentiated product offering, high service levels and a strong end-market
• New manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe and Mexico

Overview

Scandlines is a market leading European ferry operator established in 1998 by a merger of the largest national ferry companies in Denmark and Germany. It operates high frequency, short sea distance ferry operations between Germany and Denmark for both passenger and freight customers. 

Scandlines specialises in rapid, reliable and comfortable transportation. Its activities also include catering services, together with retail sales of goods in on-board and on-shore shops and restaurants.  

Highlights

• Introduced Steve Ridgway as Chairman via our Business Leaders Network, who brings expertise in product innovation, customer service and sustainability
• Using our Retail sector expertise to transform border shops creating better value for customers by focusing on efficiencies in staffing, procurement and yield management
• Ground-breaking green initiatives introduced
• Led and supported several successful landmark financings for Scandlines, most recently the €1bn infrastructure refinancing based on an investment grade rating by Fitch (BBB)
• Building two new ferries for the Rostock-Gedser route providing increased capacity and frequency of crossings

Overview

Schlemmer is a global leader in cable management solutions for the automotive industry. It develops and produces cable protection, as well as air and fluid handling systems, for automotive and commercial applications. Schlemmer offers a well-diversified product portfolio and operates a global manufacturing network

We are working with the Schlemmer team to build on the company’s strength in Europe and Asia, and further grow its global footprint by strengthening its presence in the US market through organic expansion and select add-on acquisitions.

Highlights

• Via our Business Leaders Network we introduced Bernd Gottschalk as Chairman and Günter Hauptmann as Non-Executive Director
• Cable management sector is well-positioned to take advantage of megatrends such as connectivity, e-mobility, and autonomous driving and safety
• Building on the Company’s strength in Europe and Asia and further growing its global footprint by strengthening its presence in the US market through organic expansion and select add-on acquisitions

Overview

Weener Plastics (“WP”) is a leading manufacturer of innovative plastic packaging systems for fast moving consumer goods companies. WP supplies the world’s leading A-brands and private label players. WP focuses on the design, development and manufacturing of value added caps, valve closures and roll-on balls for the personal care, food and beverage, and home care market.

We invested in WP in June 2015 and are supporting management to secure further sustainable growth using the existing innovation-led platform, investing in its successful international expansion strategy and continuing its operational improvement initiatives.

Highlights

• Using our international network, experience and capital to support WP’s growth through their buy-and-build strategy to expand into adjacent product categories and new geographies
• Customer portfolio includes Beiersdorf, Colgate-Palmolive, L’Oréal, Nestlé, P&G, Unilever and Homann
• Excellent track record of growth
• Introduced Laurent Philippe, former president CEEMEA of P&G, and Knut Michelberger to the Supervisory Board as Non-Executive Directors via our Business Leaders Network