The Carlyle Group Raises €530 Million to Invest in European Technology

London - Global private equity firm The Carlyle Group today announces that it has successfully closed its second European technology fund, Carlyle Europe Technology Partners II (CETP II) at €530 million, exceeding its initial target of €500 million. The new fund has also announced the completion of its first acquisition, Gardner Group, the UK-headquartered supplier of metallic aerostructure details, equipment and engine components to the global aviation industry*. The Carlyle Group now manages €15.4 billion in 17 dedicated European funds across corporate private equity, real estate and alternative investments.

CETP II builds on the technology team’s five year track record, with €458 million invested in 18 acquisitions since 2003. Notable transactions include Inmedia, Personal & Infomatik, Cameca, NP Aerospace, bigmouthmedia, Transics and Mill Digital Media.

CETP II will invest between €20 and €60 million in small- and mid-cap buyouts and expansion capital, focusing on technology companies operating in Carlyle’s core sectors of aerospace & defence, automotive & transportation, business services, consumer & retail, energy & power, financial services, healthcare, industrial, infrastructure and telecommunications & media. The identification and development of assets will be undertaken by Carlyle’s experienced technology team of 11 investment professionals including seven European nationalities.

David FitzGerald, Managing Director and Head of CETP, comments, “The close of CETP II demonstrates that investors remain confident in the outlook for established small- and medium-sized technology companies across Europe. CETP will target unique businesses which have the potential to become global leaders. Carlyle offers those businesses a compelling combination of deep, local expertise and insight, partnered with extensive geographic coverage and experience.

“CETP’s returns are based on value creation; we are able to be flexible in the development of capital structures, which is essential when working with growing businesses. We believe this gives us a distinct advantage in today’s challenging financing conditions. During these difficult times, we have the capacity to support the ambitions of entrepreneurial businesses that will benefit from the resources of a globally diversified investor.

“The successful closing of CETP II is a great endorsement of the strategy we have refined over the last five years. Investors have enjoyed excellent returns from a variety of exits over a relatively short period. We are very excited about the prospects for the new fund and our particularly delighted to have been able to announce the completion of CETP II’s first acquisition, Gardner Group.”

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