Apax Partners: A Leading Global Private Equity Firm

Apax Partners has a long history of investing in growth companies across Europe and North America. Founded in 1981, the firm has grown to become one of the largest private equity firms in the world.

Apax Partners has a strong track record of investing in consumer, healthcare, and technology sectors. The firm's investments have yielded significant returns, with a focus on creating value through operational improvements and strategic growth initiatives.

With a team of experienced professionals, Apax Partners brings a unique blend of industry expertise and financial acumen to its investments.

Apax Partners has a rich history that spans over five decades. The firm was founded in 1972 by Ronald Mourad Cohen and Maurice Tchénio in London, Paris, and Chicago, marking the beginning of Apax Partners.

In 1977, they formed a partnership with early venture capitalist Alan Patricof, who founded Patricof & Co in New York in 1969. This partnership would eventually become known as Apax Partners.

Throughout the 1980s, the firm grew steadily, raising capital under a series of separate funds. By the mid-1990s, Apax had become one of the larger private equity firms globally.

Here's a brief timeline of Apax Partners' major milestones:

Apax Partners has a unique investment strategy that sets it apart from other private equity firms. They focus on sub-segments of the market that they consider particularly attractive, allowing them to source the best acquisition opportunities.

The firm's experience in investing in specific niches has given them a keen understanding of what kinds of assets attract the interest of strategic buyers. They know the key success factors and operational recipes that drive growth and profitability in these areas.

Apax's teams repeat transactions in sub-segments where they've had great success, leveraging their expertise to identify and capitalize on new opportunities. This approach enables them to deploy capital efficiently and effectively.

One of the most notable aspects of Apax's investment strategy is its sector-based approach, which takes precedence over geographic allocation. This means that they focus on the best opportunities regardless of their location, rather than adhering to a specific geographic target.

Here are some key sectors where Apax has been actively investing:

By focusing on these sectors, Apax is able to leverage its expertise and network to identify and acquire high-growth businesses that have strong potential for expansion and profitability.

Apax Partners has a long history of making investments in various industries. The firm has been in operation since 1946, giving it a significant advantage in terms of experience and knowledge.

Apax Partners typically invests for a period of 3 to 7 years. This allows the firm to take a long-term view of its investments and make strategic decisions that benefit the companies it invests in.

With its extensive network of contacts and resources, Apax Partners can provide its portfolio companies with the support they need to grow and thrive.

In 2000, British United Shoe Machinery underwent a demerger, transfer of assets, and subsequent collapse, raising questions about Apax's behavior in Parliament.

MPs from both main parties called for an enquiry into the loss of hundreds of pensions, but their request was refused.

Ros Altmann, a pensions expert and UK Pensions minister, described the situation as "one of the worst cases" she had seen, and characterized Apax's actions as "immoral".

The Member of Parliament Ashok Kumar expressed outrage, saying "these are greedy, selfish, capitalists who live on the backs of others".

In this period, Apax Partners made some significant investments. In January 2010, they acquired 76.8% of Israel-based Psagot Investment House for $570 million.

Apax Partners also announced acquisition of TIVIT in April 2010. This was followed by the acquisition of a 70% stake in Sophos for $580 million in May 2010.

The year 2012 saw Apax Partners sell HiT Entertainment to Mattel for $680 million in February. This was a notable exit for the firm.

Apax Partners formed a consortium with CEO Stephen Cretier for GardaWorld Security Services in September 2012. They also agreed to acquire Cole Haan in November 2012, completing the acquisition on February 4, 2013.

Here's a quick rundown of the major deals made by Apax Partners during this period:

In 2015, Apax Partners made a significant investment in Quality Distribution, a chemical transport and logistics firm based in Tampa, Florida, for $800 million, including assumption of debt.

The deal was completed in August 2015, marking a major milestone for the company.

Apax Partners also expanded its portfolio in July 2015 by acquiring 100% of Spanish real estate web portal idealista.

In December 2015, the company agreed to sell Rhiag-Inter Auto Parts Italia SpA to LKQ Corporation for a substantial $1.14 billion.

Here are some key investments made by Apax Partners during this period:

Since 2020, the investment landscape has undergone significant changes. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to online trading, with many brokerages offering commission-free trades and mobile apps to facilitate easy investing.

The stock market experienced a sharp decline in March 2020, with the S&P 500 dropping by over 30% in a single month. This volatility made it essential for investors to reassess their portfolios and adjust their strategies accordingly.

The Federal Reserve implemented unprecedented monetary policies, including quantitative easing and near-zero interest rates, to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic. These measures helped stabilize the markets but also led to increased inflation concerns.

Investors began to seek out alternative assets, such as cryptocurrencies and real estate investment trusts (REITs), to diversify their portfolios and potentially generate higher returns.

Apax Partners has a significant history of investing in various companies. In 2013, it launched Apax VIII with a capital of $7,500 million.

The fund's vintage year was 2013, marking the beginning of Apax's expansion into new markets. Apax VIII was a notable investment for the company.

Apax also invested in Apax IX, launched in 2016 with a capital of $9,000 million. This fund was a significant increase in capital compared to Apax VIII.

In 2017, Apax launched the Apax Digital Fund with a capital of $1,000 million. This fund focused on digital investments, a growing area for the company.

Apax continued to grow its investment portfolio with the launch of Apax X in 2020, with a capital of $11,000 million. This fund was a major milestone for the company.

The company's investment strategy also included the launch of Apax Digital Fund II in 2023, with a capital of $1,750 million. This fund built on the success of the first Apax Digital Fund.

Apax Global Impact, launched in 2023, had a capital of $877 million. This fund focused on impact investing, a growing trend in the industry.

Apax XI, launched in 2024, had a capital of $12,000 million, making it the largest fund launched by the company to date.

Apax Partners is a global private equity firm with a unique approach. They have a long history of investing in growth-oriented companies.

Their team of experienced professionals is one of the largest in the industry, with over 30 years of combined experience. They have a global presence with offices in 10 countries.

Apax Partners has a strong track record of delivering returns to their investors, with an average internal rate of return (IRR) of 25% since inception. Their investments have generated over $100 billion in exit value.

Their focus on growth-oriented companies has led to successful investments in various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and consumer goods.