How Resource Partners made tracks in Eastern Europe
"We very much believed in our midcap, co-financing model in Eastern Europe, and we decided to give it a try at the worst possible moment"
As the global financial crisis engulfed Europe in early 2009, Polish private equity veterans Ryszard Wojtkowski, Aleksander Kacprzyk and Piotr Nocen were gasping from some seemingly bad choices of their own. In 2007, they had left top positions in established Central European private equity firms to join the Carlyle Group. The private equity giant had dangled a new Eastern European fund, with a €500 million ($617 million) target and the promise of an uncharacteristic -- for Carlyle, at least -- midmarket focus. Now, Carlyle was retrenching to more familiar territory. The three could either advise Carlyle's Western European, large-cap operation or fundraise for themselves in one of the most difficult environments imaginable.
They opted to go out on their own. "We very much believed in our midcap, co-financing model in Eastern Europe, and we decided to give it a try at the worst possible moment," recalls Wojtkowski in a telephone conversation from his office in Warsaw.
Full text:
The Deal Magazinel
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.
