FCM acquired by PATELEC GROUP

Tecnikabel has completed the cross-border acquisition of a majority stake in US-based EIS Wire & Cable (« EIS »). The transaction was executed via a private, bilateral process driven by strong industrial complementarities. The financing was structured through Tecnikabel’s existing banking pool, with a key 45% co-investment from Italian public entity SIMEST (CDP Group) via its subsidized Fund 394, co-managed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To ensure continuity, EIS’s management team, led by President Nicholas Moceri, will retain a significant minority stake. Tecnikabel will fully maintain the EIS brand, all employees, and the Massachusetts production facility. Advisors included Dresner Partners, Ethica, McDermott, Schulte, and PwC. This transaction accelerates Tecnikabel's international growth, expanding its presence in the high-value US defense electronics and factory automation sectors. Supported by Andera Partners, Equiter, and the Garaffi family, the group consolidates its position as a global engineering supplier across North America, Europe, and Asia. EIS brings a revenue base exceeding $40 million, a stable tier-one client network (including the US Navy and global allies), and over 700 UL/CSA certifications. Plugging EIS into Tecnikabel’s R&D and commercial platform will unlock significant cross-selling opportunities for advanced connectors while successfully hedging European macroeconomic exposure.

Kone agreed to acquire TK Elevator from a consortium led by private equity sponsors Advent and Cinven. The deal represents one of the largest exits of a private equity‑owned industrial asset in Europe and is structured as a platform‑level combination between two of the world’s four largest elevator and escalator manufacturers. The combined group, under the Kone corporate framework, is projected to achieve around EUR 20.5 billion in annual sales, with roughly 65% of revenue generated by the service and modernization segments and more than EUR 2.7 billion in adjusted EBIT before synergies, alongside a combined installed base of approximately 3.2 million units under maintenance. Kone estimates annual run‑rate synergies of around EUR 700 million, primarily driven by denser service networks, joint R&D initiatives, platform consolidation, procurement efficiencies, and reductions in general and administrative costs. The transaction is expected to be accretive to Kone’s earnings per share in the first full year following completion, excluding one‑off integration and transaction expenses, with an accelerating margin improvement profile in subsequent years.

Origin Seal has completed its first international acquisitions by taking over the Dutch companies Polson and MBC Group. This strategic move adds approximately €12 million in combined revenue to the group and significantly strengthens its presence in the maritime sector. The transaction was supported by a comprehensive bank refinancing structured with LCL, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, CIC, and Amundi. The former owners of Polson and MBC have reinvested into the parent holding company and joined the executive committee. The strategic rationale is to accelerate internationalization and capitalize on a highly active pipeline of European targets with individual revenues up to €30 million.

LSI Industries agreed to acquire 100% of Royston Group from Industrial Opportunity Partners. The transaction is financed through a fully committed bridge facility, with permanent financing expected to include a mix of equity and debt, subject to Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust clearance. The acquisition is highly strategic for LSI, combining Royston's complementary capabilities and long-standing customer relationships with LSI's existing retail branding solutions platform, creating the leading integrated retail branding and display solutions provider in North America. IOP had acquired Royston from Stephens Capital Partners in March 2018 and grew the business through four bolt-on acquisitions during its ownership period.

Syngroh Capital has acquired a majority stake in Kraft & Bauer from DBAG Fund VII (advised by Deutsche Beteiligungs AG) and the founding Bauer family. The strategic rationale for the deal is to transition the company from a private equity-led ownership to a long-term, family-office-backed structure that ensures operational continuity and values-based growth. Since DBAG's initial investment in 2018, Kraft & Bauer has evolved from a regional specialist into an international systems provider. Under Syngroh's ownership, the company will focus on further international expansion and the aggressive development of its installation and high-margin service business. The founding Bauer family and Managing Director Frank Foddi have significantly reinvested in the transaction to remain partners in the company's next growth phase.

Smiths Group plc has agreed to acquire 100% of DRC Heat Transfer to expend Smiths' cooling and thermal management capabilities within the fast-growing data center market. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of fiscal year 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Upon completion, DRC will be integrated into the industrial heat business of Smiths’ Flex-Tek division. While Flex-Tek already maintains a strong position in industrial heating, DRC’s expertise in cooling applications for back-up power generators provides a highly additive technological bridge. This move allows Smiths to capitalize on the structural growth of data centers, driven by AI and cloud computing demands, which require increasingly sophisticated power security solutions. The acquisition also strengthens Flex-Tek’s geographic and operational footprint in the United States, utilizing DRC’s Chicago-based manufacturing hub and specialized workforce to serve a wider global customer group.

ITT Inc. has successfully finalized the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of SPX FLOW from an affiliate of Lone Star Funds. This transformative strategic transaction follows a highly successful take-private phase, during which the organization underwent significant operational professionalization and commercial optimization. The strategic rationale for the move centers on the high degree of technical complementarity between the two portfolios, specifically uniting the target’s specialized mixing and thermal technologies with the acquirer’s established global industrial presence. By incorporating this technical leader, the organization significantly reinforces its position in high-growth, resilient end markets such as health and nutrition. The partnership is designed to leverage the acquirer’s industrialized scale and procurement resources to accelerate the target’s international development. This integration facilitates the creation of a differentiated global champion in fluid handling, providing the strategic depth and technical operational depth required to address complex global industrial challenges. This move solidifies the group’s standing as a primary enabler of technological advancement in the process technology sector.

Michelin has announced a definitive agreement to acquire the entire stake of The Flexitallic Group from the private equity firm Bridgepoint. This transaction marks a strategic exit for Bridgepoint, which first partnered with the business in 2013 and guided it through a significant transformation. For Michelin, the acquisition represents another major step in its diversification strategy, adding a complementary "High-Tech Materials" platform with a strong industrial client base. Flexitallic's expertise in sealing technologies and joint integrity aligns perfectly with Michelin's competencies in high-performance materials. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals. The acquisition will allow Flexitallic to leverage Michelin's global R&D and industrial capabilities to accelerate its growth in new markets.

Luxempart has acquired a 26% minority stake in Kestrel Vision for €110M. The transaction follows a competitive process involving funds such as Capza, Towerbrook, and IK Partners. The capital injection serves three purposes: a capital increase to strengthen the balance sheet, a partial cash-out for management, and the refinancing of a bridge loan provided by Caravelle for the acquisition of US-based Filtec in late 2022. Despite a valuation exceeding €500M, the majority shareholder Caravelle opted for a minority opening instead of a full exit due to current debt market constraints. The group remains backed by a €150M unitranche facility from Barings to support its external growth strategy.

Prysmian (80%) and Fincantieri (20%) have agreed to acquire Xtera from private equity firm H.I.G. Capital. This acquisition allows the Italian partners to offer a complete "one-stop-shop" solution for subsea telecommunications: Prysmian provides the cables, Xtera provides the electronic repeaters and system design, and Fincantieri provides the vessels and installation capabilities. The closing is expected in Q1 2026.