Candover and Cinven sell Springer
Candover Investments plc announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Candover
Partners Limited, and Cinven have today agreed the sale of Springer
Science+Business Media, one of world's leading academic publishers, to European
fund EQT V and Singapore fund GIC. The transaction remains subject to customary
conditions, including regulatory approvals and is expected to close by late
January/early February 2010.
The sale will generate cash proceeds of £11.4 million including carried
interest for Candover Investments plc.
Springer was formed from the merger of Kluwer Academic Publishers which was
acquired in January 2003 for €600 million and BertelsmannSpringer which was
acquired in September 2003 for €1,050 million, in transactions jointly led by
Candover Partners and Cinven. The merger created the global #2 player in
scientific, technical and medical (STM) publishing. The management, led by
Derk Haank, have generated significant growth since 2003, capitalising on
merger synergies as well as making innovative use of Springer's on-line
platform to make available its entire backlist of journals and to launch new
products such as e-books. EBITDA has almost doubled from c€150 million to over
€280 million during this period.
Including proceeds from earlier refinancings, Springer has generated a multiple
of 1.7 times and an IRR of 28% for the Candover 2001 Fund. The 2001 Fund has
now fully realised ten out of its 16 investments, achieving a realised multiple
of 2.3 times and an IRR of 36% to date.
Cinven and Candover were advised by Goldman Sachs and UBS.
Ends.
*Candover means Candover Investments plc and / or one or more of its
subsidiaries, including Candover Partners Limited
as General Partner/Manager of the Candover 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2008 Funds.
For further information, please contact:
Tulchan +44 20 7353 4200
Susanna Voyle
Peter Hewer