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A growing slice of the pie: Private equity and the family office

September 12, 2016

Private equity has a special pull for families used to running operating businesses. But with record levels of assets committed to private equity funds is it the best asset class to drive returns?

Private equity has a special pull for families used to running operating businesses. But with record levels of assets committed to private equity funds is it the best asset class to drive returns?

The plotline is one that has been played out countless times before. A family has made its wealth in an operating business, has exited and is now running a family office. Do they sit back and take a diversified approach to their wealth or eventually get itchy feet and pour their assets back into the sector they know best?

Family Business Roundup: Heineken, Ikea, and Cargill

September 11, 2015

Heineken buys 50% of Californian craft brewer; Ikea sales rise 11% to record €32 billion; and Cargill CEO David MacLennan to become chairman

Heineken buys 50% of Californian craft brewer

Dutch family brewer Heineken, owned by the eponymous family, has announced plans to purchase a 50% stake in Californian craft brewer Lagunitas.

According to a company statement, the deal will provide Heineken with a foothold in the booming craft beer market and Lagunitas with a boost to its global customer base. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The families direct investing in infrastructure and renewables

September 10, 2015

For decades, wealthy European families have been deploying part of their capital into infrastructure – and often directly into assets.

For decades, wealthy European families have been deploying part of their capital into infrastructure – and often directly into assets.

Family Business Roundup: Samsung, Ikea, BMW and Daimler

November 20, 2014

Samsung retires $2.5 billion proposed merger; Ikea doubles down on wind deal; and BMW and Daimler commit to Mexico supply deal

Samsung retires $2.5 billion proposed merger

South Korea’s largest family-owned conglomerate Samsung Heavy Industries has scrapped a proposed $2.5 billion (€1.99 billion) takeover of Samsung Engineering due to shareholder opposition.

Family business roundup: Merck, Grupo Aval, and Ikea

September 25, 2014

Merck to acquire US Sigma-Aldrich for $17 billion; Colombian family-owned bank raises $1.26 billion at IPO; and Ikea announces €2 billion expansion in Russia

Merck to acquire US Sigma-Aldrich for $17 billion; Colombian family-owned bank raises $1.26 billion at IPO; and Ikea announces €2 billion expansion in Russia

Merck to acquire US Sigma-Aldrich for $17 billion

German pharmaceutical company Merck, 70% owned by the eponymous founding family, has agreed to buy US firm Sigma-Aldrich for $17 billion (€13.3 billion) in order to bolster its laboratory supplies business.

Ikea founder moves home to Sweden after 40 years

March 21, 2014

The octogenarian founder of Swedish furniture giant Ikea, Ingvar Kamprad, has moved back to the home country, where he founded the family business, after four decades abroad.

The octogenarian founder of Swedish furniture giant Ikea, Ingvar Kamprad, has moved back to the home country, where he founded the family business, after four decades abroad.

Kamprad, 87, quit Sweden in 1973 in protest against the country's high taxes, initially moving to Denmark before settling in Switzerland in 1976.

He first announced his plans in the summer of 2013, but heart and back problems delayed the move according to the Kamprad family's spokesman.

Ikea uses flatpack furniture concept for philanthropic good

March 11, 2014

Flat pack housing, inspired by Ikea’s famous self-assembly furniture, is providing a more sturdy alternative to tents in refugee camps, according to an annual report released today by the family business’s philanthropic foundation.

According to the Ikea Foundation, the units can comfortably house five people, and are more secure and durable than the tents that are normally used, which need to be replaced about every six months.

H&M given green light to launch in India

December 4, 2013

Swedish family empire H&M has been granted approval from the Indian Foreign Investment Promotion Board to launch its stores in the South Asian country, the government announced on Monday.

Swedish family empire H&M has been granted approval from the Indian Foreign Investment Promotion Board to launch its stores in the South Asian country, the government announced on Monday.

The 7.2 billion rupee (€85 million) investment will allow the fast-fashion giant to create a wholly-owned subsidiary in the country, where it has previously said it plans to open 50 stores.

Ikea founder steps down from board, son takes over

June 5, 2013

The founder of Ikea, Ingvar Kamprad, has stepped down from the board of Inter Ikea Holding, the holding company of the iconic Swedish flatpack furniture chain.

The founder of Ikea, Ingvar Kamprad, has stepped down from the board of Inter Ikea Holding, the holding company of the iconic Swedish flatpack furniture chain. The chairman of the board, Per Ludvigsson, has also stepped down, aged 70, to be replaced by Kamprad’s son Mathias.

In a statement issued by Ikea, the changes in the board are described as a generational shift that has been prepared for over several years.

Kamprad, who turned 87 in March, said in a statement his retirement from the board did not mean he would stop working.

Family business roundup: Growth for Ikea, Swatch and Richemont, Metro and Douglas soldier on

January 23, 2013

The latest results show 2012 was a good year for many European family businesses; secretive Ikea published strong results, and luxury groups Richemont, Swatch and Remy Cointreau also reported encouraging figures. But German-based Metro Group and Douglas Holding had to fight for growth in the household goods market.

Ikea
Swedish giant Ikea Group published its 2012 financial results on 23 January – only the fourth time it has published results in its 70-year history.