AXA Private Equity formed a partnership with us
AXA Private Equity, the leading European private equity firm, announced a strategic partnership with us. The goal of the partnership is investing in opportunities across Central and Eastern Europe. AXA Private Equity will commit EUR51 million to the funds managed by us.
The agreement will grant AXA Private Equity privileged access to investment opportunities both in Poland and in the Baltic countries, where we have experience and expertise. This is the first time that AXA Private Equity has initiated such cooperation, and a EUR50 million commitment marks the growing strategic importance of the CEE region.
Building on the resources of AXA Private Equity’s Vienna office (opened in 2008), the partnership will significantly extend the firm’s presence in the region, and will give the capacity to undertake larger transactions. Moreover, AXA PE will be able to expand its sourcing and execution capabilities and will gain an immediate second local base in Warsaw, with improved local connections.
“This partnership is a blueprint for future projects in Central and Eastern Europe. In this year of economic recovery in the region, we are seeing an increasing number of interesting investment opportunities, therefore we made the decision to form this strategic partnership with an established local player in Poland,” said Dominique Gaillard, Head of Direct Funds at AXA Private Equity.
The partnership will seek to generate long-term capital growth principally through privately negotiated equity and equity-related investments in mid-sized companies. Leveraging our existing main areas of expertise, AXA PE's investment strategy will primarily focus on the food and agricultural sector in Poland, the most important private equity market in the region.
“This is an important moment for us. By forming the partnership with AXA Private Equity, we will be able to benefit from global reach, extensive transaction experience and a substantial international network of industry contacts. Thus, we will be able to offer our portfolio companies a unique edge and generate premium returns for our investors. We also plan to cooperate with AXA Private Equity in larger transactions by combining our teams’ execution capabilities and market know-how,” said Ryszard Wojtkowski, Managing Partner with Resource Partners.
Buglo Play Sp z o.o. acquires Finnish company LeikkiSet Oy
Buglo Play Sp. z o.o., one of our portfolio companies, has acquired LeikkiSet Oy, a leading Finnish company specializing in playground equipment, outdoor fitness, and urban furniture. This marks another milestone for Buglo in its mission to become one of Europe’s top three playground equipment manufacturers.
RP invests in construction blocks manufacturer COBI
Resource Partners has acquired a 40% minority stake in COBI, a company renowned for its production of toy construction blocks. Founded over 35 years ago by Robert Podleś, COBI has gained international recognition for its extensive portfolio of historical construction blocks sets, attracting a large community of collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. The company has also partnered with iconic brands such as Boeing, NASA, Lockheed Martin, Top Gun, Maserati, Fiat, Opel, Citroen and Northrop Grumman.
