Nordic Capital Fund VII acquires Britax Childcare
Chertsey, UK, November 22, 2010. Nordic Capital Fund VII has acquired Britax Childcare Holdings Ltd (“Britax Childcare”) from Carlyle Europe Partners II.
Britax Childcare designs, tests, assembles and markets a range of premium child car safety seats and wheeled goods. The company has leading consumer brands in each of its principal markets including Europe (Britax® and Römer®), Australia (Safe‘n’Sound®, Steelcraft®, Babylove® and others) and the US (Britax®). Britax Childcare’s products are distributed through independent specialist retailers, multiple retail chains and vehicle OEMs. Britax Childcare generated revenues of GBP 203m in 2009.
In recent years, Britax Childcare has realigned its organisation to improve efficiencies, increase sales and continue its investment in new products and safety technologies. Britax Childcare’s reputation for developing innovative, safety-leading quality products is evidenced by the development and promotion of ISOFIX and other technologies designed to address safety and ease of installation of children’s car seats.
”Nordic Capital funds have a great track record and long experience in consumer investments and, with Thule in particular, experience in mobility solutions for active families, which I believe we will benefit from”, said Karl Kahofer, CEO of Britax Childcare.
“Car safety for children is an area where both individual parents, regulators and the global auto industry are concerned to provide a safe environment for children. Britax Childcare, with its strong position in the retail market, is well positioned to play an important role in this development”, said Mr Kahofer.
”We are impressed by the way the management team has realigned its organisation to improve efficiencies, increase sales through the retail channels where consumers want to buy these types of products, and continue its investment in new products and technologies over the last couple of years. We see great potential in supporting the company in the execution of its expansion strategy, said Hans Eckerström, Partner, Nordic Capital, and head of its consumer goods investments.
”It is a company with several strong consumer brands, a solid local presence on all its key markets – in particular in Germany, the UK, the US and Australia – and a well-consolidated management approach in the branded consumer goods market that is totally in line with Nordic Capital’s investment philosophy”, said Mr Eckerström.
For more information, please contact:
Mikael Widell, Communications Manager, NC Advisory
Mobile: +46 703 11 99 60
Mikael.widell@nordiccapital.com
About Britax Childcare
Britax Childcare Holdings Limited is a global manufacturer of premium branded child car safety seats and is a recognized technological, safety and quality leader. Britax Childcare is headquartered in the UK with manufacturing operations in Germany, North America, Australia and the UK, and sales distribution in another 40 countries.
About Nordic Capital Equity Funds
Since the start in 1989, Nordic Capital Private Equity Funds have invested in large and medium sized companies, primarily in Northern Europe. Through committed ownership and by targeting strategic development and operational improvements, Nordic Capital creates value in its investments. Nordic Capital Fund VII has EUR 4.3 billion in committed capital, principally provided by international institutional investors. Nordic Capital Fund VII invests in companies in Northern Europe and in selected investment opportunities internationally. Nordic Capital Fund VII is based in Jersey, Channel Islands, and is advised by the NC Advisory offices in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany and the UK. For more information, please go to the website www.nordiccapital.com
Tags: