Bryan Matthews

Ametek buys Gatan.     Ametek buys Gatan from Roper Technologies for $925 million.     Gatan makes electron microscopy cameras and instruments, electron energy filters, software, and accessories.  All are used to boost and expand the process and performance of electron microscopes.  Gatan created direct detection for electron microscopy.  This supports high-end research in solving the intricate challenges of materials and life sciences.  Their products make possible advanced workflows in specimen preparation, imaging, and analysis.     David Zapico of Ametek said: ‘We are excited to welcome Gatan to Ametek.  Gatan is an outstanding company and nicely complements our existing portfolio of specialized offerings in high-end analytical instrumentation.  Their differentiated technology solutions, premier brand, and leadership positions in attractive growth markets make this a highly attractive acquisition for Ametek.’  ...

Sandy Spring buys Revere.     Sandy Spring Bancorp buys Revere Bank for $460.7 million.     Sandy Spring Bank operates 50 locations in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington DC.  They offer commercial and retail banking, mortgage, private banking, trust services, and a suite of insurance and wealth management services.  Revere Bank, headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, has 11 banking offices.  Revere bought Rockville-based Monument Bank in 2016 for $65.1 million.     Daniel Schrider of Sandy Spring Bank said: ‘Our company has great momentum and the announcement today reinforces our position of strength in this market.  Over the past two years, we have expanded our geographic footprint, delivered record annual earnings, marked our 150th anniversary, and continued to build out a strong team of local professionals and industry experts.  This acquisition further solidifies Sandy Spring Bank as a premier bank in the Greater W...

Blackstone buys five Greek island hotels.     Blackstone Real Estate Partners Europe buys five Greek island hotels from the Louis Group for $197.1 million.     They are Corcyra Beach and Grand Hotel on Corfu, Zante Beach and Plagos Beach on Zakynthos, and Creta Princess on Crete.     Louis Group will continue running the hotels under the direction of HIP, a hospitality company owned by funds managed by Blackstone. HIP is the largest owner of hotels in Southern Europe, and this deal expands its footprint to Greece.     Through HIP, Blackstone will renovate and reposition these properties.     James Seppala of Blackstone said: ‘Greece is a fantastic destination with an incredible history, wonderful weather, and meaningfully improving connectivity with the rest of the world. We are excited to invest here, to help Greece maintain its rightful place as a premier global tourist destination and spur local economic growth. This tr...

Coca-Cola buys Acque Minerali.     Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company buys Acque Minerali for $97 million.     Founded in 1940 in Roccaforte Mondovì, Acque Minerali makes and distributes natural mineral water and adult sparkling beverages under the Lurisia brand.  In the water category, the company offers still and sparkling water in PET and glass packaging, sourced from springs 1,400 meters above sea level in Monte Pigna.  The company was a pioneer in offering water products in bell-shaped glass bottles, designed by Studio Sottsass Associati.    In the adult sparkling category, Lurisia offers beverages inspired by authentic Italian recipes, based on local ingredients.  The variations are Chinotto, Gazzosa, Aranciata, Aranciata Rossa, Aranciata Amara, Limonata, and Tonica.  Lurisia products enjoy high brand awareness associated with quality, authenticity, taste, and the Italian lifestyle.  Since 2008, the company has partnere...

Winnebago buys Newmar.     Winnebago Industries buys Newmar for $344 million.     Newmar, known for their quality, innovation, and service, makes luxury motorhomes.  Its lineup is a mix of Class A motorhomes, the biggest and priciest kind, which can look like a bus or a motorcoach, and Super C class, which adds Class A amenities to a standard RV frame.  This deal will enable obvious commercial, financial, and operational synergies by integrating assets, systems, and staff.     Michael Happe of Winnebago said: ‘Newmar’s dedication to manufacturing premium, high-end motorhomes makes it a natural fit with our portfolio of leading outdoor lifestyle brands and we look forward to welcoming Newmar to the Winnebago Industries family.  The acquisition of Newmar aligns with our strategy to strengthen and reenergize our motorized business by enhancing our position and capabilities in the motorhome market and building on the progress we have made d...

Alamo buys Morbark .     A lamo Group buys Morbark from Stellex Capital for $352 million.     Morbark makes equipment and after-market parts for the forestry, recycling, tree care, sawmill, land-clearing, and biomass markets. Along with its affiliate brands, Rayco , Denis Cimaf , and Boxer Equipment, it fabricates a full line of brush chippers, stump cutters, mini skid-steers, forestry mulchers , aerial trimmers, whole tree and biomass chippers, flails, horizontal and tub grinders, sawmill equipment, material handling systems, and mulcher head attachments for excavators, backhoes, and skid-steer loaders.     Ron Robinson of Alamo said: ‘We are pleased with the prospect of having Morbark join the Alamo Group. Morbark is a well-run, profitable, and growing company in a sector that has been steadily improving. Their products expand and complement our range of vegetation maintenance equipment in an adjacent market. We are excited about the opportu...

HIG Capital buys BioVectra.     HIG Capital buys BioVectra from Mallinckrodt for $250 million.     BioVectra is a contract development and manufacturing firm.  Their client base is the top biopharmaceutical companies in the world.  BioVectra’s core growth engines are complex chemistry, biologics, and drug development.  They will continue to supply active pharmaceutical elements that sustain Mallinckrodt’s specialty brands.     Mike Gallagher of HIG Capital said: ‘We are excited to support BioVectra's exceptional leadership and highly dedicated employees.  BioVectra demonstrates a tremendous ability to generate robust organic growth and utilizes a broad set of technical capabilities to deliver outstanding service and quality.  They are completing major capital expenditure programs to expand capacity and the company is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for their services.’    Oliver Technow of BioVe...

Palo Alto buys Zingbox.     Palo Alto Networks buys Zingbox for $75 million.     Zingbox is a startup hatched at Stanford University that uses machine learning to detect hacking attempts.  Even fish tanks have been used to hack into enterprises and move laterally across networks.     Zingbox’s cloud-based service and machine learning tech for device and threat i-D will speed Palo Alto’s delivery of Internet of Things security through its Firewall and Cortex™ platforms.  Organizations gain added visibility and security in their Internet of Things landscape with automated always-on prevention.     Nikesh Arora of Palo Alto Networks said: ‘The proliferation of IoT devices in enterprises has left customers facing an enormous gap in protection against cybersecurity attacks.  With the proposed acquisition of Zingbox, we will provide a first-of-its-kind subscription for our Next-Generation Firewall and Cortex platforms that gives c...

Prudential buys Assurance IQ.     Prudential Financial buys Assurance IQ for $2.35 billion.     Assurance IQ uses data science and machine learning to match buyers with custom insurance covering life, health, home, Medigap, and auto.  Assurance speeds up the application process and sells policies from 20 providers either entirely online or with the help of live agents.     Charles Lowrey of Prudential said: ‘Assurance accelerates the strategy and growth potential of Prudential’s financial wellness businesses, bringing us closer to more people across the entire socio-economic spectrum to better serve the full picture of their needs.  We look forward to working with Mike Rowell and his entire team to grow the Assurance business in the US, and, over time, to extend its unique approach to customers around the world.’     Michael Rowell of Assurance IQ said: ‘Assurance was founded to protect and improve the personal and financial heal...

Pernod Ricard buys Castle.     Pernod Ricard buys Castle Brands for $223 million.     Castle brings to the deal Jefferson’s Bourbon, Gosling's rum, Knappogue Castle, Clontarf, Brady’s Irish Cream, and The Arran Malt.  Castle also imports other spirits brands.     Alexandre Ricard of Pernod said: ‘Through this acquisition, we welcome this great brand portfolio, in particular, Jefferson's bourbon whiskey, to the Pernod Ricard family.  Bourbon is a key category in the US which is our single most important market.  This deal aligns well with our consumer-centric strategy to offer our consumers the broadest line-up of high-quality premium brands.  As with our American whiskeys Smooth Ambler, Rabbit Hole, and TX, we would give Jefferson's a strong route to market and secure its long-term development, while remaining true to its authentic and innovative character.’     Richard Lampen of Castle Brands said: ‘We are pleased to r...