May 2010

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.

RP invests in Flex To Go, backing car rental agency’s expansion

Resource Partners is acquiring a significant stake in Flex To Go via its Luxembourg-registered fund, backing the largest chain of airport car rental outlets in Poland as it expands its operations in Germany and enters new European markets.

Resource Partners exits Tołpa to Bielenda

Resource Partners exits Tołpa to Bielenda Kosmetyki Naturalne („Bielenda”). Bielenda, supported by Innova Cap-ital will acquire 100% of shares in Torf Corporation, the owner of Tołpa and ON brands.