News 2005
BC Partners raises over €5.5 billion for European investments
BC Partners, one of the largest independent European buy-out sponsors, announced today that it has raised over €5.5 billion for its eighth fund, the largest European buy-out fund to date. The fund was raised in less than 5 months and was heavily oversubscribed. Investors in previous funds increased their commitments significantly and represent 90% of the capital raised for BC European Capital VIII.
The eighth fund will enable BC Partners to maintain its leading position in Europe in securing larger size investment opportunities in the future. The fund expects to acquire 10 to 20 companies in association with management over the next 5 years, with a cumulative enterprise value of close to €20 billion, and can arrange acquisitions with a value over €6 billion without recourse to other equity investors.
Since 1986, BC Partners has invested in 58 companies with a total transaction value in excess of €34 billion. The growing opportunity to acquire large European businesses is highlighted by the average size of the group's buy-outs since 1997, which is €1.2 billion.
BC Partners commented as follows: "We are extremely pleased that our existing investors have shown strong support and have substantially increased the level of their commitments. We believe that the quality and experience of our executives, combined with the way in which we work together as a team across Europe, have been key elements in our successful development so far. We will continue to focus on the larger European opportunities bringing together resources from our integrated network of offices."
BC Partners has distinguished itself from other buy-out advisers by operating on an integrated European basis since it was formed in 1986, with one executive team and one set of funds investing Europe-wide. With offices in Geneva, Hamburg, London, Milan and Paris, it is well placed to seek investment opportunities throughout Europe.