Spring 2018
Akash Pulluru
THE IMPACT OF TAX REFORM ON THE PE INDUSTRY

On December 19th, a Republican-controlled Congress narrowly passed a tax reform bill. This bill represents the most significant tax overhaul since 1986 and has profound implications for the private equity industry. Although this administration is often chastised for being overly friendly to private equity barons, the reality of this bill is far more complicated.

Issue 16

TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN: INVESTCORP ACQUIRES KEE SAFETY

On October 18th of this year, Bahrain-based investment firm Investcorp announced that it would acquire Kee Safety Ltd (“Kee Safety”) from Dunedin LLP and LDC for an enterprise value of $370 million. Investcorp is a leading global manager of alternative investments, which the company offers to its high net-worth clients regularly.  Moreover, Investcorp is mid-market private equity firm, investing primarily in both North America and Europe. 

WINNING THE BATTLE AGAINST AMAZON IN INDIA

While most people are aware of Amazon’s global market leadership position in the e-commerce sector, few are attuned to the growing potential of local e-commerce startups in developing economies. With Softbank’s recent $2.5 billion investment in Flipkart, a leading e-retailer in India, investor confidence in these local startups is bound to increase. 

A SWEET DEAL: PRIVATE EQUITY TAKES OVER THE BOTTLING INDUSTRY

Just a month after becoming the world’s largest independent bottler for retailers with their $1.25 billion acquisition of Cott Corp, Netherlands-based soda bottler Refresco Group has been taken over. Concluding a six-month pursuit, which involved a declined offer three months ago, Refresco was sold. The buyers are PAI Partners, a French private equity group, and British Columbia Investment Management (bcIMC).