DEUTSCHE BETEILIGUNGS (DBAG) takes majority stake in GREAT LENGTHS

BC Partners acquired a majority stake in PetLab Co. from its co-founders, who retained a significant minority investment in the business. The transaction leverages BC Partners’ specialized knowledge in the pet ecosystem—specifically its experience in scaling Chewy Health—to accelerate the target's international expansion and product innovation. The deal highlights the continued institutional interest in the pet "humanization" trend and the high-margin, recurring revenue profiles of subscription-based pet wellness brands. The collaboration is intended to drive the next stage of the company's growth by expanding its R&D capabilities and market presence.

The transaction involves the 100% sale of The Kooples by MF Brands Group to Verdoso, a French industrial group specializing in the turnaround and transformation of distressed assets. This strategic exit allows the seller to offload a non-core, loss-making fashion label and refocus on its global premium brands like Lacoste. The strategic rationale for the buyer is the acquisition of a globally recognized brand at a potential valuation discount, with the aim of restoring its "glam rock" appeal and operational efficiency. This move reflects a wider trend in the "accessible luxury" sector, where players are forced to consolidate or sell as they struggle with high fixed costs and a cooling consumer appetite.

Permira, the global private equity firm, has agreed to acquire a 40% minority stake in K-Way, the iconic French outerwear brand, from its Italian parent company BasicNet. This partnership is designed to unlock the next phase of K-Way's global expansion. BasicNet, which acquired the distressed brand in 2004 and successfully repositioned it from a functional utility item into a premium lifestyle label (generating EUR147.7 million in revenue in 2023), sought a partner with deep consumer expertise to scale operations internationally.

The exit of L&S from the Clessidra Capital Partners 3 portfolio represents a successful structural maturation of an Italian design champion into a global industrial leader. The strategic rationale for this transaction centers on a "market-consolidation" play, leveraging the target's industry-leading technical operational depth in embedded LED systems to fuel a new phase of international buy-and-build activity. This structural alignment provides the organization with the institutional capital and global network of the new sponsor, which is required to address the increasing complexity of smart-home integration and sustainable commercial lighting.

Harvia acquired 100% of ThermaSol in an all-cash, debt-free transaction. The acquisition addresses a recognised strategic gap in Harvia's product portfolio — the company had historically held a strong position in traditional sauna heaters but a significantly weaker position in steam and infrared saunas, segments identified as difficult to enter organically as communicated at Harvia's Capital Markets Day in spring 2024. The US was already Harvia's largest market prior to the transaction, and ThermaSol's established brand and distribution presence in the steam segment provides Harvia with an immediate and meaningful platform to accelerate its growth in this category. Harvia expects to leverage its historical track record of improving acquired companies' profitability and growth trajectory to enhance ThermaSol's margins toward group levels over time.

Ardian is acquiring a majority stake in Groupe Hameur (Magimix and Robot-Coupe) from the De Jenlis Family. The transaction was structured as a primary LBO following a competitive auction process managed by investment banks. The process initially attracted interest from both strategic industrial players and a dozen private equity firms, eventually narrowing down to a final round involving three major global investment houses. The investment strategy is centered on accelerating growth in key international markets, particularly the United States, by leveraging the acquirer's local expertise. Beyond organic growth, the partnership aims to consolidate the fragmented market for professional culinary equipment through targeted bolt-on acquisitions. The founding family remains a minority shareholder to support this new phase of international expansion.

Style Capital acquired a 50.2% controlling stake in Autry International from the "Made in Italy Fund" (managed by Quadrivio & Pambianco) and the founding family. The family retains a significant 42% stake, while Quadrivio reinvests for an 8% minority stake via its new vehicle "Lifestyle Fund II". The deal marks a highly successful exit for the sellers, generating a 4x Cash-on-Cash return and 75% IRR in less than 3 years. The new ownership aims to pivot the brand from a wholesale-led model to a retail-led model, with plans to open over 20 flagship stores globally.

PAI Partners entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 51% controlling stake in Beautynova from Bluegem Capital Partners to accelerate the group's global scaling. This strategic move follows a period of rapid transformation under Bluegem’s ownership since 2020, during which the company tripled its sales and expanded significantly into the US market. Post-transaction, Bluegem retains a 47% minority interest alongside a syndicate of co-investors and the company’s management team, ensuring continuity in leadership and strategy. The partnership is designed to leverage PAI's international infrastructure to further penetrate the resilient high-end beauty sector and set new industry standards in innovative product development.

Suave Brands Company, a portfolio company of Yellow Wood Partners, has acquired the ChapStick brand from Haleon. The deal positions ChapStick within a dedicated, independent North American beauty & personal care platform, combining its leading lip‑care franchise with Suave’s value‑oriented mass‑retail footprint and operational capabilities. The acquisition is intended to create synergies in distribution, back‑office functions, and marketing, while enabling Suave Brands Company to scale its retail sales to approximately USD 800 million annually. The transaction illustrates Yellow Wood’s strategy of building a limited number of branded consumer platforms through bolt‑on acquisitions and deep operational engagement.

Kering Beauté has finalized the acquisition of 100% of House of Creed from funds controlled by BlackRock Long Term Private Capital Europe and Chairman Javier Ferrán. The all-cash transaction represents the buyer's first major strategic initiative to build scale within the high-growth haute parfumerie market segment. The asset transfer instantly provides the acquirer's young beauty division with institutional scale and a mature global distribution footprint. This logistical network is designed to serve as an operating platform to accelerate the development of the buyer's future in-house fragrance portfolios. Post-acquisition management intends to scale the target's presence in mainland China and international travel retail channels while expanding into feminine scents and body care categories. Following unconditional clearance from relevant anti-trust authorities, operational control has been transferred and the business is fully consolidated.