BLOOMBERG -- Vue Entertainment Ltd. was bought by two Canadian pension-fund managers looking to continue the expansion of one of
Vue, which operates in countries including the U.K.,
This is the most active time in Europe for cinema in probably the past 10 years because the banks are back in business and supporting companies and assets are for sale, he said in an interview.
The deal should close at the end of July, according to the statement. Omers and Alberta Investment plan to use their own funds to finance the buyout before finalizing debt financing by early August, according to a person familiar with the deal who asked not to be named as the details are private.
James Devas, a spokesman in London for Omers, declined to comment on the debt financing. Denes Nemeth, manager of corporate communication at Alberta Investment, didnt immediately reply to an e-mail sent outside of business hours in
'PATIENT CAPITAL'
Vue is the second-largest cinema operator outside
Omers Private Equity is part of Omers, one of Canadas largest pension funds with more than $60 billion in assets. Alberta Investment has more than $70 billion under management, according to the statement.
Our combined ownership gives Vue the distinct advantage of patient capital and deep pockets for organic and acquisitive growth, Mark Redman, the head of Europe at Omers Private Equity, said in the statement.
Doughty Hanson bought Vue in November 2010. The disposal is the second from its Doughty Hanson V fund after the sale of Norit, a maker of water-purification systems, the company said. The firm is in the process of raising about 2 billion euros ($2.6 billion) for its sixth buyout fund, Doughty Hanson VI. It will be the firms first fundraising since the death of co-founder Nigel Doughty in February 2012.