Bryan Matthews

Kirkbi buys Enerparc . Kirkbi buys a majority stake in solar developer Enerparc Inc. Enerparc ’s management team keeps minority ownership. Enerparc develops, engineers, builds and operates distributed utility-scale photovoltaic projects. They support the transition of commercial energy supply to renewable forms of power by connecting large-scale solar photo voltaic systems to the grid. This deal is an evolution in Kirkbi’s renewable venture strategy. Kirkbi is already a recognized investor in offshore wind farms. The Lego Group is already 100 percent renewable-powered and has solar power on its own property. Lego likes to tell the story, a good one: The original wooden Lego bricks were fine until the firm bought this newfangled plastic injection molding machine in the 1940s. Thomas Lau Schleicher of Kirkbi said: ‘The significant majority stake in Enerparc gives Kirkbi a unique opportunity to take ownership in a company that has established

Uber buys Careem.     Uber buys Careem for $1.4 billion cash and $1.7 billion convertible notes in a $3.1 billion deal.  The notes are convertible to Uber shares at $55 each.     Careem converts to a division of Uber, keeping its brand and app intact.  Careem and Uber will run their respective local services and individual brands distinctly.  This lets them build new products and try new ideas across two brands with two operators at the same time.  Co-founders Mudassir Sheikha, Magnus Olsson, and Abdulla Elyas stay on with the firm.      Careem said it best: ‘Today, we start Chapter 2 of our story.  Careem is joining forces with Uber to better serve the region.  We will operate independently so the app, services, and brand you love will continue to be available as usual.’     The $3.1 billion deal buys out all external Careem investors.  This includes Daimler, Didi Chuxing, Rakuten, Kingdom Holding, Al Tayyar, Saudi Telecom, Wamda, and Saudi Technology Ventures.    

BlackRock buys eFront. BlackRock buys eFront from Bridgepoint and eFront workers for $1.3 billion cash.  The plan is to combine eFront with the BlackRock investment platform Aladdin, growing private equity and real estate analytics for clients.     A’laddin is used by 225 firms worldwide and is best described as a risk managing technology.  Pension funds, insurance companies, and competing asset managers all license the software based on the resources they use.      eFront has 700 clients in 48 countries.  Their technology helps manage the speculation life span from due diligence and portfolio planning to performance and risk analysis.  eFront software helps private equity firms, real estate investors, and other commercial clients scrutinize their performance and fundraising, track their portfolios, meet accounting and regulatory duties, and communicate with stakeholders.     Laurence D. Fink of BlackRock said: ‘Technology and illiquid alternatives are two pillars of Bla

Murphy Oil exits Malaysia.     Murphy Oil exits Malaysia with a $2.13 billion asset sale to Thailand’s PTTEP.       Murphy will use some proceeds in a $500 million share buyback, and in a $750 million debt reduction.  $750 million of the residual earnings are set aside for purchases and funding of both deep-water and onshore projects in the US.       Murphy also has operations in Canada, Brazil, Vietnam, Brunei, Australia, and Mexico.  It plans to focus on the Eagle Ford Shale and the Gulf of Mexico for near term discovery and production deals.      Roger Jenkins of Murphy Oil said: ‘After 20 years of successful operations in Malaysia, I am happy to announce this all-cash transaction benefiting our shareholders by fully monetizing our proved and probable reserves.  The tactical repositioning of Murphy allows us to simplify our business and focus on our core assets in the Western Hemisphere.  The transaction will give us greater financial flexibility and let us continue r

FIS buys Worldpay.     Fidelity National Information Services buys Worldpay.  The blend of stock and cash values the deal at $43 billion, including $7.7 billion debt.  FIS shareholders will own 53 percent of the joint company.  Worldpay shareholders will own the balance of 47 percent.     Worldpay is a major card payments fintech firm, especially in the United Kingdom.  FIS provides software and outsourcing services to banks, asset managers, and insurers, as well as financial services outsourcing.     FIS and Worldpay offer the technological infrastructure that lets you securely pay an e-commerce vendor anywhere in the world.  Or tap your card to buy a cup of cappuccino or chai or kombucha.  The merger echoes earlier deals, combining once-specialized companies to become a one-stop shop, providing all their customers’ payment needs.  Keep it simple.  Worldpay processes 40 billion transactions each year and supports 300 payment types in 120 currencies.      For FIS, who provides

Austria’s Signa and Aby Rosen’s RFR buy Chrysler Building. The landmark 77-story skyscraper near Grand Central Terminal sold for $151 million.   There's already speculation about the highest and best use for this Art Deco archetype.    With Samantha Boardman and Aby Rosen involved, it will certainly be tasteful and significant.

Blackstone buys Ayumi . Ayumi Pharmaceutical is a Japanese specialty pharmaceutical company focused on anti-rheumatism and orthopedics. Ayumi ’s prize anodyne product is Calonal . An acetaminophen drug with strong brand recognition among doctors, pharmacists, and patients. Calonal is the prescription of choice for its real and safe treatment of chronic pain. Ayumi is the anti-rheumatism market leader, with a complete range of remedies. Synthetic and biosimilar products are prescribed to patients across all stages. Ayumi also leads the Japanese biosimilar market. This notable emergent healing mode is both effective and efficient for patients and the national health service system. Atsuhiko Sakamoto of Blackstone said: ‘We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Ayumi . Under the leadership of its seasoned management team, Ayumi has established a robust foundation as a leading specialty pharmaceutical company in the field of rheumatism a