DELABIE Group Acquires KWC Professional from Equistone Partners Europe

Equistone Partners Europe Acquires Franke Water Systems (KWC & WSC) from Franke Group

March 2, 2021

Building Products

Funds advised by Equistone Partners Europe have agreed to acquire Franke Water Systems, the kitchen and bathroom fittings division of Franke Group, in a carve-out transaction. Industry executive Thorsten Klapproth is joining as a co-investor; the division (comprising KWC Group and WS Commercial Group) employs ~900 people and generated over CHF 192m in 2020. Financial terms are undisclosed and the deal remains subject to competition approval; management will continue to run the business and the investment will support international expansion and product development.

Paini S.p.A. Acquires KWC Home Division from KWC Group (Equistone-backed)

May 15, 2024

Plumbing

Italian sanitary specialist Paini S.p.A. has acquired the KWC Home division from Switzerland-headquartered KWC Group, a portfolio company of funds advised by Equistone Partners Europe. The deal is a divestiture (terms undisclosed) that will integrate KWC Home into Paini’s sanitary product offering while allowing Equistone to focus on developing KWC Group’s Professional division.

LongueVue Capital Invests in Kingston Brass

February 26, 2024

Building Products

LongueVue Capital, a New Orleans-based private equity firm, has made an investment in Kingston Brass, a Chino, California-based designer and distributor of kitchen and bathroom fixtures. LVC will partner with founders Erik Chen and Frieda Lin to accelerate growth through customer, channel, product, and distribution expansion; Kingston employs approximately 150 employees and Abacus Finance provided senior debt financing for the transaction.

Kohler Acquires Kast Concrete Basins

May 3, 2023

Building Products

Kohler Co. has acquired UK-based Kast Concrete Basins, a boutique designer and manufacturer of contemporary concrete basins and sinks, adding the brand to Kohler's Luxury Brands portfolio. Kast's founder Tim Bayes will serve as Managing Director/Head of Creative and the Nottinghamshire design centre and factory will continue producing its color-driven premium basin range for global showroom and specification channels. The acquisition expands Kohler's high-end bathroom offering and strengthens its expertise in concrete materials and bold color finishes.

Homewerks Worldwide Acquires Shower and Specialty Plumbing Business from Waxman Consumer Products Group

March 31, 2022

Consumer Products

Homewerks Worldwide, LLC has acquired the Shower and Specialty Plumbing business from Waxman Consumer Products Group, adding showerheads, faucets, valves and packaged plumbing repair lines along with associated IP and transitioning employees. The deal expands Homewerks' product portfolio and builds on its growth strategy following a 2021 growth investment from H.I.G. Capital.

Equistone Partners Europe Acquires Majority Stake in Kusters Beheer B.V.

January 27, 2021

Manufacturing

Funds advised by Equistone Partners Europe have agreed to acquire a majority stake in Kusters Beheer B.V., a Netherlands-based group of six precision manufacturing companies. The founding family and current management will retain a significant minority stake and the partnership will support investments in production capacity, technology and strategic add-on acquisitions to drive growth.