Berggruen, Cycladic Buys 80% In GEAR - Private equity fund Berggruen Holdings and UK-based hedge fund Cycladic Capital have bought an 80% stake in constrcution equipment company Gemini Equipment and Rentals (GEAR). The stake has been bought for a total of $15 million (Rs 74 crore). GEAR plans to have 500 equipment assets by the end of this year. There is a lot of interest in real estate ancillary business, with DLF planning to come up with a $200 million fund to invest in firms engaged in construction support manufacturing and support.
PE-Controlled Co Buys Talisma's Arm - UK's Leeds Equity Partners controlled Campus Management has acquired the customer relationship management (CRM) arm of Bangalore-based Talisma. US-based nGenera had acquired Talisma in May this year. The deal size is reported to be around Rs 140 crore. Campus Management is a enterprise software firm, mainly engaged in eduacation sector, and the acquisition will help it expand across sectors as banking and financial services, manufacturing,etc. Talisma's CRM business has 150 employees.
Italy's Sogefi Acquires Auto Parts Firm - The Italian auto manufacturing firm has acquired 60% stake in MN Rama Rao Filters, a Bangalore based company. MNR is an air filter manufacturer for two and three wheelers. The acquisition will help the firms expand their product portfolios, reports Economic Times. MN Rama Rao posted revenues of Rs 29 crore last year and has manufacturing facilities in Bangalore.
Merrill Lynch Picks Up Stake In Warehousing Co - Merrill Lynch, which has been acquired by Bank of America, has acquired a minority stake in warehousing development project of Hyderabad's logistics co Shree Rajlaxmi. Logistics sector has seen several private equity deals, with also logistics focused funds like Tuscan Ventures and Future Capital's logistic fund.
