SMART TECHNOLOGIES went public

discoverIE Group plc has acquired 100% of the US-based company Hobart Electronics as part of a dual acquisition strategy that also included the British firm Positek. The strategic rationale for the acquisition is to strengthen discoverIE’s Design & Manufacturing (D&M) division and expand its geographic reach in the North American market. Hobart’s expertise in custom magnetic components perfectly aligns with discoverIE’s focus on high-margin, application-specific electronics for industrial sectors

Following a secondary leveraged buyout (LBO) transaction, Passman has come under the control of LBO France, a leading private equity firm. The investment was made through LBO France's Small Cap Opportunities vehicle, which has acquired a majority stake in the company. The founders will retain a significant stake in the business and continue to be involved in its operational management, ensuring continuity in the company's leadership. Historically focused on the hospitality sector, Passman has successfully expanded its offerings to other environments, including campsites, healthcare facilities, and shopping centers

The Carlyle Group has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in HGH Systèmes Infrarouges through its Carlyle Europe Technology Partners III fund, as part of a structured control transaction. This move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the fund's position in high-value-added electro-optical and infrared technologies. Beyond the transaction's structuring, the partnership aims to accelerate HGH's international growth by leveraging Carlyle's investment capabilities and industrial network

LBO France has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Crouzet from InnoVista Sensors (formerly Custom & Sensors Technologies). This operation marks a further reduction in the perimeter of InnoVista Sensors, which is controlled by PAI Partners and Carlyle. The transaction is structured as a leveraged buyout, with the financing supported by an unitranche facility provided by Apollo and BlueBay. Crouzet, which has been under the management of David Aragon for approximately eighteen months, is being carved out to become a standalone entity

Charterhouse has successfully completed the acquisition of a 70% majority stake in Sagemcom from The Carlyle Group, marking a significant secondary leveraged buyout in the European technology sector. This transaction allows Sagemcom to embark on a new growth cycle focused on the proliferation of connected devices and the global transition to smart utility infrastructure. Following a period of tracking the asset for several years, Charterhouse secured exclusivity to partner with the existing management team, led by Patrick Sevian

Private equity firm HgCapital has successfully completed the divestiture of SimonsVoss Technologies GmbH to Ireland-headquartered, NYSE-listed Allegion plc (NYSE: ALLE), a premier global provider of security products and solutions. Exclusively advised by investment bank Robert W. Baird and legal counsel Linklaters LLP, the financial sponsor officially exits a highly transformative holding period that began in 2010. The buyout has received all necessary regulatory clearances and was executed through Allegion's Luxembourg-based holding and financing subsidiary

Passman has restructured its shareholder base through a secondary management buyout (MBO), with the arrival of ActoMezz as a new shareholder holding a 13% stake, and the partial exit of Siparex and Rhône-Alpes PME Gestion. This transaction enables the three founding managers to strengthen their majority position, increasing it to just over 70%. ActoMezz has invested approximately €10 million in equity and mezzanine financing, while Passman has secured a senior debt facility provided by a pool of five banks, combined with a leasing line

The Carlyle Group and PAI Partners have entered into exclusive negotiations with Schneider Electric to acquire a majority stake in Custom Sensors & Technologies (CST). The transaction is structured on an equal basis between Carlyle Europe Partners IV and PAI Europe VI, with Schneider Electric retaining approximately 30% of the capital and the management team holding around 2%. The operation is a complex carve-out from Schneider Electric, where CST was previously a dedicated business unit. The strategic rationale for the acquisition focuses on CST's high-quality reputation and its leading position in the attractive and growing market for mission-critical sensing products

Pan-European private equity firm HgCapital has reached a definitive agreement to acquire a majority equity stake in German-based SimonsVoss Technologies AG. Executed as a privately negotiated transaction, the buyout includes an approximate £10.5 million capital commitment from the listed investment vehicle HgCapital Trust plc. Subject to customary competition clearance, the deal officially partners the financial sponsor with the target's existing management board to propel the company into its next phase of corporate expansion

Siparex and Rhône-Alpes PME Gestion have invested in Passman, a French company specializing in internet access solutions for hotel customers. The operation allowed Passman to finance its development and strengthen its position in the market. The amount of the investment is 2.1 M Euros, with a senior debt of 3.5 M Euros. Financial and legal advice was provided by Aktelys Diligence, Aforge Finance and MAGS Avocats. This operation allows Siparex and Rhône-Alpes PME Gestion to strengthen their presence in the technology and services sector