XD CONNECTS acquired by PLATINUM EQUITY

Coty has sold its remaining 25.8% stake in hair care brand Wella to KKR for $750 million, while retaining its rights to a portion of the proceeds from any future sale or initial public offering. This transaction marks the end of a program launched in 2020 to simplify Coty's portfolio and operations, and allows the company to reduce its debt and refocus on its fragrance segment. KKR's strategy is based on identifying companies with long-term growth potential, and creating value for shareholders through proactive management and expertise in value creation. The transaction was carried out with the help of Citi as financial advisor and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as legal advisor for Coty, while Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP acted as legal counsel for KKR.

The acquisition of a majority stake in Sabre Paris by FrenchFood Capital marks a significant milestone in the company's history, as it seeks to consolidate its growth trajectory and affirm its position in strategic international markets. This transaction is part of the dynamic driven by FrenchFood Positive Impact, which aims to support French SMEs in their development and international expansion. The investment by FrenchFood Capital will enable Sabre Paris to leverage the firm's expertise and network to further accelerate its growth, while maintaining its entrepreneurial spirit and creative identity. The deal also demonstrates the attractiveness of the French food industry, which is characterized by a rich heritage of excellence and a strong potential for international growth. With this acquisition, FrenchFood Capital confirms its ambition to promote French excellence and create sustainable value, while supporting the development of emblematic brands like Sabre Paris. The company's strategy is focused on accompanying Sabre Paris in its next stage of development, with the objective of consolidating its position in the accessible luxury segment and promoting its iconic brand internationally.

KKR has finalized the 100% acquisition of Karo Healthcare from the EQT VIII fund in a transaction initially announced in April 2025. The strategic rationale for KKR is to capitalize on a pan-European platform already structured for significant scale. Following a period where revenues quadrupled under EQT, Karo is entering an international acceleration phase. KKR plans to leverage its global footprint to deepen Karo’s reach across new distribution channels and geographies, while continuing to consolidate the fragmented sector through targeted bolt-on acquisitions. The transaction was advised by Citigroup and J.P. Morgan for KKR, and Morgan Stanley and Jefferies for EQT.

Platinum Equity acquired 100% of Solo Group from the founder and management. Shortly after, Platinum acquired Dutch competitor XD Connects and merged it with Solo under a new holding entity (Sun II Ltd.). The combined group manages the entire value chain from product development and global procurement to on-demand printing and fulfillment for over 20,000 B2B customers.

Partners Group has agreed to acquire a majority stake in MPM Products, the owner of premium cat food brands Applaws, Reveal, and Encore, from 3i Group. This acquisition marks the next phase of global expansion for the Manchester-based company. Under the previous four-year partnership with 3i, MPM successfully transformed from a UK-centric business into a true international player, with 80% of its sales now coming from overseas markets like the USA and APAC. The company also shifted its channel mix, securing shelf space in major food and drug retailers while accelerating its online presence. Partners Group intends to leverage this established "clean label" platform to further capitalize on the "pet humanization" mega-trend, likely focusing on deepening penetration in the North American market and continuing the brand's premiumization strategy. The deal also recognizes MPM's commitment to sustainability, highlighted by its recent B Corp recertification.

Kontoor Brands has completed the acquisition of 100% of Helly Hansen, marking a transformative step in the group’s portfolio expansion strategy. This acquisition significantly increases Kontoor’s geographic diversification, particularly in Europe and the technical outdoor segment, while providing a powerful "third pillar" alongside Wrangler and Lee. The strategic rationale for the deal is to capitalize on the high-growth "Technical Workwear" and "Outdoor" categories, where Helly Hansen holds a leading global position. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Kontoor’s revenue, adjusted earnings per share, and cash flow in fiscal 2025. By integrating Helly Hansen into its global platform, Kontoor intends to leverage its large-scale supply chain and US retail relationships to accelerate the brand's growth in the North American market. The deal represents a shift toward a more technical and premium brand mix, insulating the group from the cyclicality of the core denim market.

Levi Strauss & Co. agreed to sell Dockers to Authentic Brands Group. The transaction transfers the Dockers brand out of Levi Strauss’ portfolio and into Authentic’s intellectual-property-led model, with the operational rollout expected to be handled through licensing and partner relationships rather than through a traditional owned-retail structure. The strategic rationale is straightforward. For Levi Strauss, the divestment supports portfolio simplification and allows management to focus on its core Levi’s and Beyond Yoga brands, while also aligning capital allocation with direct-to-consumer priorities and international growth. For Authentic, Dockers is a strong fit because it brings heritage, name recognition, and an established licensing base, all of which are consistent with the group’s buy-and-build approach to consumer brands. The deal also provides flexibility to extend the brand across categories and geographies under a lighter operating model.

The Briconord Group acquires Scell-it, a strategic move that strengthens its position in the professional fastening market. This acquisition is the 6th build-up for Briconord in recent years. By integrating Scell-it, Briconord expands its product portfolio to include high-tech fastening systems and tools, creating strong cross-selling opportunities across its European distribution networks. This transaction was completed simultaneously with the group's capital reorganization led by Oddo BHF.

Ushopal acquired 100% of Payot from LBO France (which held 80% since 2014) and the management team. The transaction concludes a long holding period marked by two previously aborted sales processes (2019 and 2021) due to the pandemic and geopolitical risks in Russia. Ushopal, which initially approached Payot for a distribution partnership in China, eventually opted for a full acquisition to leverage the brand's heritage and professional skincare expertise in the Asian market.

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.