Corporate news

Partners Group, the global private markets investment manager, successfully closed its largest dedicated direct investment program, Partners Group Direct Investments 2009 at EUR 650 million. The program attracted investors globally and includes sovereign wealth funds, endowments, corporate and public pension plans, insurance companies, family offices and selected entrepreneurs. Despite the strong demand from the client side, the program was closed at the agreed hard cap of EUR 650 million.  

During the past two years, the economic crisis has created a favorable investment environment of depressed company valuations and compelling distressed opportunities, particularly in the small and mid-cap segments.

Since inception, Partners Group Direct Investments 2009 has been able to leverage on Partners Group's access to a significant volume of high-quality deal flow. This has translated into a portfolio of 19 investments at the end of the second quarter of 2010. The successful build-up of the portfolio and a positive net performance as of the end of the second quarter of 2010 is remarkable, since private markets investment programs typically experience a J-curve effect.

Examples for recently closed investments for the program include Grupo Santillana, the leading publisher of educational text books in Latin America and Spain, and Kaffee Partner, a leading supplier of commercial coffee provisions, hot beverage brewing systems and water dispensers to small and mid-sized companies in Germany. In addition, the successful public listing of portfolio company China Forestry, a leading forestry plantation operator in China within a six month holding period, further exhibits Partners Group's superior investment insight and reliable execution to seize on attractive opportunities.

Walter Keller, Partner and Co-Head Private Equity Directs & Primaries of Partners Group comments, "Since the program's inception, many of the investments within the Partners Group Direct Investments 2009 portfolio have already undergone significant value creation, providing a strong demonstration of Partners Group's experience and track record in private equity. Moving forward, the program has ample commitment capacity and will continue to build up a promising portfolio of investments. In addition, we will continue to work closely with existing portfolio companies to create value over time."