Reuters: "Eurazeo prüft Verkauf der Asmodee Group"

[SpieLama]

Das Privat-Equity-Unternehmen Eurazeo prüft laut der Nachrichtenagentur Reuters einen Verkauf der Asmodee Group.

Eurazeo habe Investmentbanker eingestellt, die den Verkauf begleiten und durchführen sollen. Mögliche Käufer der Asmodee Group werden in der Meldung nicht erwähnt. Eurazeo hält bekanntlich einen Großteil der Anteile an Asmodee. Eine Reuters-Anfrage zu den Verkaufsgerüchten habe Eurazeo nicht kommentieren wollen. Asmodee habe auf eine Anfrage bisher noch nicht reagiert. Die Reuters-Meldung findet ihr unter https://www.reuters.com/article/us-asmo ... SKBN1IA38V.

Bereits im März gab es ähnliche Verkaufsmeldungen, die sich auf Bloomberg als Quelle bezogen, siehe zum Beispiel https://www.boursier.com/actions/actual ... 59686.html. Mehr Informationen über Eurazeo und Asmodee findet ihr unter https://www.eurazeo.com/en/societe/asmodee/.

[SpieLama]

Entsprechende Pressemeldungen gabe es schon länger, nun ist es offiziell: Eurazeo will Asmodee verkaufen und befindet sich in exklusiven Verhandlungen mit PAI Partners. PAI Partners ist eine französische Private-Equity-Gesellschaft mit Sitz in Paris. Das Unternehmen entstand 2002 durch Management-Buy-out nach der Fusion von Paribas und der Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP). Mehr Informationen zu den Verhandlungen und dem geplanten Asmodee-Verkauf findet ihr in der folgenden Pressemitteilung von Eurazeo.

Exclusive discussions initiated with PAI Partners to sell Asmodee

Paris, July 20, 2018 - Eurazeo is pleased to announce the launch of exclusive discussions with PAI Partners for the sale of its stake in Asmodee, a leading international games publisher and distributor, based on an enterprise value of €1.2 billion.

As the publisher of some of the best known franchises internationally, such as Catan, Ticket to Ride, Splendor and Dobble/Spot it !, and a distributor of Pokémon and Magic trading cards, Asmodee has emerged in recent years as one of the highest performing and most innovative players in its market, globally.

Driven by Stéphane Carville and his teams and supported by Eurazeo, the company has transformed substantially, from a Franco-European distributor in 2013 to a global publisher today, capitalizing on the value of its intellectual property. In four years, revenue grew from €125 million, generated 48% in France, to €442 million, generated 75% internationally, representing an average annual growth rate of 37%. At the same time, publishing revenues increased to nearly two-thirds of games sales. The Group completed 20 acquisitions during this period, representing over €140 million in revenue.

Eurazeo’s sales proceeds from this transaction could total around €580 million for Eurazeo and its investment partners, and €435 million for Eurazeo’s stake representing a return on its initial investment of 4.0x and an IRR of 35%.

Under French law, the signature of a purchase agreement is subject to a preliminary information and consultation process involving employee representatives. The disposal is could be finalized by Q4 2018, following the completion of this process and supervisory authority approval.

About Eurazeo
With a diversified portfolio of over €16 billion in assets under management, including over €10 billion from investment partners, Eurazeo is a leading global investment company with offices in Paris and Luxembourg, New York, Shanghai and Sao Paulo. Its purpose and mission is to identify, accelerate and enhance the transformation potential of the companies in which it invests. The firm covers most private equity segments through its five investment divisions – Eurazeo Capital, Eurazeo Croissance, Eurazeo PME, Eurazeo Patrimoine and Eurazeo Brands – and through three Idinvest business divisions: Venture Capital, Private Debt and Dedicated Portfolio & Funds. Its solid institutional and family shareholder base, robust financial structure free of structural debt, and flexible investment horizon enable Eurazeo to support its companies over the long term. As a global long-term shareholder, the firm offers deep sector expertise, a gateway to global markets, and a stable foothold for transformational growth to the companies it supports.

Eurazeo is listed on Euronext Paris.

ISIN: FR0000121121 - Bloomberg: RF FP - Reuters: EURA.PA

Die Originalmeldung findet ihr unter https://www.eurazeo.com/wp-content/uplo ... AL-EN2.pdf.

[Lorion42]

War zu erwarten und ich hoffe, dass die Firma bei guten Leuten landet.

[hgzwopjp]

Gute Leute... Finanzinvestor... ich sach lieber nix.

[whorf]

Ich sag denn doch mal was... diese Wachstumszahlen haben doch mit Zukäufen zu tun und nichts mit einem exorbitanten Marktwachstum oder gewonnenen Verdrängungswettkampf. Das wird so'n VC doch wohl merken, bevor er kauft, oder...?

[SpieLama]

Sollte PAI Partners Asmodee kaufen, will PAI laut Pressemitteilung das Asmodee-Management dabei unterstützen, das Geschäft durch internationale Expansionen weiter auszubauen, sowohl organisch als auch durch Übernahmen. Mehr dazu in der folgenden Pressemitteilung von PAI Partners.

PAI Partners enters exclusive discussions to acquire Asmodee Group

20 July 2018. Asmodee Group is a leading international games publisher and distributor with operations located in Europe, North America, and China. Asmodee’s best known titles, either published or distributed on behalf of key publishing partners, include Catan, Ticket to Ride, Splendor, Dobble/Spot it!, Star Wars: X-Wing, 7 Wonders and Jungle Speed. In some European countries, Asmodee also distributes trading card games such as Pokemon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh! Asmodee realised a turnover of 442 million in 2017, 75% of which was made outside France, its home market.

PAI intends to support the current management team in its plans to grow the business further through international expansion both organically and by acquisition.

The acquisition of Asmodee would be the first investment made by PAI Europe VII, which reached a successful final close at €5.1 billion in March 2018 after less than six months of active marketing.

Stéphane Carville, CEO of Asmodee Group, commented: “We would like to thank Eurazeo for their support over the last few years, during which we have grown to become one of the leading players in the games publishing and distribution space. We have been very impressed by the PAI team, their operational approach as well as their knowledge of the consumer goods industry globally, and we very much look forward to continuing our ascent in partnership with them.”

Gaëlle d'Engremont, Partner at PAI Partners, commented: “Asmodee represents a unique opportunity to invest in a fast-growing platform within the gaming industry, as part of PAI’s strategy to invest in attractive consumer goods industries. Stéphane and his team have an unparalleled track record in driving profitable growth both organically and through acquisitions, and we are delighted that they have chosen to partner with us. We are excited by the company’s growth prospects, which include further developing Asmodee’s position in the core hobby gaming market and successfully diversifying the group’s main brands onto other platforms. We look forward to working together to deliver on our ambitious objectives.”

The relevant employee works councils of Asmodee will be consulted in respect of the transaction and completion of the transaction will be subject to regulatory approval and other customary conditions precedent.

About PAI Partners
PAI Partners is a leading European private equity firm with offices in Paris, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Munich, New York and Stockholm. PAI manages €12.3 billion of dedicated buyout funds. Since 1994, the company has completed 68 transactions in 11 countries, representing €50 billion in transaction value. PAI is characterised by its industrial approach to ownership combined with its sector-based organisation. PAI Partners provide the companies they own with the financial and strategic support required to pursue their development and enhance strategic value creation.
http://www.paipartners.com

About Asmodee Group
Asmodee Group is a leading international games publisher and distributor with operations located in Europe, North America and China. Asmodee’s best known titles, either published or distributed on behalf of key publishing partners, include Catan, Ticket to Ride, Pandemic, Dead of Winter, Splendor, Dobble/Spot it!, Star Wars: X-Wing, 7 Wonders, Dixit, Takenoko, Abyss, Timeline, Jungle Speed and The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow. In some European countries, Asmodee also distributes trading card games such as Pokémon and Magic. Asmodee has headquarters in Guyancourt, France.
Learn more at corporate.asmodee.com.

[SpieLama]

Eurazeo hat Asmodee für einen Verkaufserlös von 565 Millionen Euro an PAI Partners verkauft. Mehr Informationen dazu in der folgenden Pressemitteilung.

Eurazeo announces the sale of Asmodee after a successful transformation

Paris, October 23, 2018 – Eurazeo announced today the effective sale to PAI Partners of its investment
in Asmodee, a leading international games publisher and distributor.

This deal perfectly reflects the in-depth transformation successfully completed in recent years by Stéphane Carville and his teams with Eurazeo’s support. In four years, Asmodee's revenue has grown from €125 million to €442 million, representing an average annual growth rate of 37%, and is now generated 75% internationally. At the same time, publishing revenues increased to nearly two-thirds of games sales. The Group also completed 20 acquisitions, representing over €140 million in revenue.

The deal generating sales proceeds of €565 million for Eurazeo and its investor partners, including €426 million for Eurazeo, i.e., a return on the initial investment of nearly 4x and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of almost 35%.

About Eurazeo

• With a diversified portfolio of more than €17 billion in assets under management, including over €11 billion from third parties, Eurazeo is a leading global investment company with offices in Paris, Luxembourg, New York, Shanghai and Sao Paulo. Its purpose and mission is to identify, accelerate and enhance the transformation potential of the companies in which it invests. The firm covers most private equity segments through its five investment divisions – Eurazeo Capital, Eurazeo Croissance, Eurazeo PME, Eurazeo Patrimoine and Eurazeo Brands – and through three Idinvest business divisions: Venture Capital, Private Debt and Dedicated Portfolio & Funds. Its solid institutional and family shareholder base, robust financial structure free of structural debt, and flexible investment horizon enable Eurazeo to support its companies over the long term. As a global long-term shareholder, the firm offers deep sector expertise, a gateway to global markets, and a stable foothold for transformational growth to the companies it supports.
• Eurazeo is listed on Euronext Paris.
• ISIN: FR0000121121 - Bloomberg: RF FP - Reuters: EURA.PA

https://youtu.be/6LFCgLzMBoA

[SpieLama]

Spiel doch mal hat ein Interview mit Carol Rapp, Geschäftsführerin von Asmodee Deutschland, veröffentlicht. Darin spricht sie über die Entwicklung von Asmodee Deutschland und der Asmodee Group.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=bij4s4ezaCE

[SpieLama]

Weiter geht's. Asmodee hat Bezzerwizzer Nordic übernommen. Bezzerwizzer wurde 2006 von Birgitte und Jesper Bülow gegründet und ist einer der führenden Spieleverlage in Skandinavien. Mehr Informationen zur Übernahme findet ihr ind er folgenden Pressemitteilung vom 7. Januar 2019.

Bezzerwizzer Nordic joins Asmodee
Asmodee Group has announced today the acquisition of the game studio Bezzerwizzer Nordic. Established in 2006 by Birgitte and Jesper Bülow, Bezzerwizzer is one of the leading game publishers in the Nordics with its main titles Bezzerwizzer and Hint. Asmodee already distributes both games in Nordic countries.

“We are excited and proud to become part of Asmodee. Having built a strong Nordic position in trivia and party games, we are ready to bring our games to players in other parts of the world as a member of the Asmodee family, who shares our dedication to high quality board games.” said Jesper Bülow, Bezzerwizzer Nordics CEO.

Bezzerwizzer becomes Asmodee’s 14th studio and brings its expertise in developing successful trivia games with creative developing & marketing teams to the Group.

Asmodee has offices in 18 countries: USA, Canada, France, UK, Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Poland, Chile, Belgium, Brazil, Taiwan and China. The company also relies on 14 publishing studios spread around the world and distributes products in over 50 countries.

“We are delighted to welcome Birgitte, Jesper and the Bezzerwizzer team into the Asmodee family. Thanks to our global distribution network we will bring the studio’s products to new players around the world.” said Stéphane Carville CEO of Asmodee Group.

About Asmodee
Asmodee Group is a leading international games publisher and distributor with operations located in Europe, North America, Asia and South America. Asmodee’s best known titles, either published or distributed on behalf of key publishing partners, include Catan, Ticket to Ride, Splendor, Dobble/Spot it! Star Wars: X-Wing, 7 Wonders, Dixit, Takenoko, Abyss, Timeline, Jungle Speed, The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow. In some European countries, Asmodee also distributes trading card games such as Pokémon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh! Asmodee has headquarters in Guyancourt, France.

About Bezzerwizzer
Bezzerwizzer Nordic is a leading Nordic board game developer and publishes board games mainly in Scandinavia. Key brands are the trivia game Bezzerwizzer and the party game Hint, both games characterized by a passion for easy-to-learn mechanics and great editorial content. Bezzerwizzer Nordic is based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

[peer]

Bezzerwizzer ist hierzulande bei Mattel im Programm. Bin gespannt ob sich da etwas ändert.

[widow_s_cruse]

Hallo,
wird auf die Frage hinauslaufen, wer für das Produkt der erfolgreichere Vertrieb ist.
Ihr Studio Lookout Spiele vertreibt auch über Altenburger.

[Thygra]

Das kann aber auch daran liegen, dass ein bestehender Vertrag noch eine längere Laufzeit und noch nicht gekündigt werden konnte. Da können wir alle nur spekulieren.

[widow_s_cruse]

Wenn ich "unkündbare", langfristige Vertriebsvereinbarungen abschließen konnte, dann könnte man das auch als ein Erfolg verbuchen. ;-)

[Thygra]

Ich schrieb "noch nicht gekündigt", nicht "unkündbar". Aber ich räume ein, das war schlecht formuliert. Denn normalerweise kann man einen solchen Vertrag jederzeit kündigen, aber nur zu einem vertraglich vereinbarten Stichtag endet dann die Vertragslaufzeit.

Wenn 2 Firmen einen neuen Vertriebsvertrag schließen, hat dieser üblicherweise erst mal eine Mindestlaufzeit. Diese liegt nach meiner Erfahrung oft bei 2 oder 3 Jahren. (Andere Werte sind natürlich ebenfalls denkbar.)

[SpieLama]

Unter https://vimeo.com/337518583 findet ihr ein Video von PAI Partners, in dem Asmodee vorgestellt wird. Im Video erfahrt ihr mehr über das Wachstumspotenzial und die Strategie von Asmodee sowie die Zusammenarbeit mit PAI Partners.

https://vimeo.com/337518583

(Dank an Matthias Nagy für den Hinweis auf das Video.)

[SpieLama]

Asmodee USA Distribution vertreibt ab September Spiele von Helvetiq in den USA. Mehr Informationen dazu in der folgenden Pressemitteilung von Asmodee.

ASMODEE USA TO DISTRIBUTE HELVETIQ GAMES
Roseville, MN – August 16, 2019. Asmodee USA Distribution announced they are working with Swiss based publishing house Helvetiq as their exclusive distributor for games in the United States. Beginning in September 2019, Helvetiq’s catalog of games will be available to retailers looking to provide their customers with fun and creative gameplay experiences.

“We are always looking for strong local partners that bring our brand to gamers and shops worldwide,” said Hadi Barkat, CEO & Founder of Helvetiq. “With Asmodee USA, we now have a U.S. distribution partner who shares our ambition and passion for the world of games. Their portfolio includes amazing titles, and we are honored to join with a line up that particularly suites casual gamers, families, and design aficionados. We are excited that, together, we will make our games accessible to an even wider audience.”

Andre Kieren, Head of Distribution for Asmodee USA, said, “Adding Helvetiq’s library of games, both established and upcoming, to Asmodee USA Distribution’s library is fantastic news for everyone. We look forward to providing their unique offering of titles to our customers.”

At Gen Con 2019 in Indianapolis, IN, over 70,000 visitors had a chance to play Helvetiq’s upcoming Kawaii and Misty pocket games due out later this year.

About Helvetiq
Helvetiq is an international publishing house based in Switzerland and founded in 2008. The creative team of ten has published over 60 titles in 20 languages for 30 countries. The company is best-known for its pocket games like Bandido, its matchbox collection including ColorFox, wooden games like Team Up and for surprising gamers with new ideas all the time.

About Asmodee USA Distribution
Asmodee USA Distribution is a sales, marketing, and distribution arm of the global Asmodee Group, a leading international company dedicated to bringing great games and amazing stories to all corners of the world. Asmodee USA Distribution represents the strongest portfolio of board games in the industry, including such favorite titles as Catan, Ticket to Ride, Spot It!, Pandemic, Just One, Dixit, X-Wing™, Dead of Winter, and many more.