European Capital Receives Proceeds of Euro 45.8 Million and Achieves a 1.8x Money Multiple From Hofmann Menu Exit

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ST. PETER PORT, Guernsey, Jan. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- European Capital Limited and its consolidated subsidiaries ("European Capital") announced today that they received proceeds of €45.8 million from Gilde Buy Out Partner's ("Gilde") sale of Hofmann Menu Manufaktur ("Hofmann Menu") to Partners Group on behalf of their clients and the existing management team.  The proceeds relate to a mezzanine facility provided to support Gilde's buyout. In addition, European Capital also co-invested in the equity alongside Gilde and the management team. European Capital realised a money multiple of 1.8x and IRR of 11.9% not including the return on its equity investment.

Hofmann Menu is a leading German provider of customized cook and freeze products to small business canteens and social organizations such as retirement homes, hospitals and schools.

"We are very pleased with the outcome of this transaction," said Nathalie Faure Beaulieu, Regional Managing Director of European Capital Financial Services Limited ("ECFS").  "We continue to actively seek attractive private debt opportunities in midcap businesses that have leading positions in growing markets with enterprise values of up to €500 million.  With its strong market position, high quality management and impressive record of growing earnings, Hofmann Menu is a great example of this positioning."

"We are delighted to have worked with Hofmann Menu's management team and Gilde over the period of our investment," said Colin Wright, Investment Director at ECFS.  "We have been particularly impressed by the success in growing sales to social organisations and the development of a resilient and diversified business.  We wish management and Partners Group all the best with the next phase of Hofmann Menu's development."

"We've been pleased to work with European Capital who has been a strong and supportive partner during our six year commitment to Hofmann Menu," said Ralph Wyss, Chairman of Gilde.

ABOUT EUROPEAN CAPITAL
European Capital is an investment company for pan-European equity, mezzanine and senior debt investments with €1.0 billion in assets under management. European Capital is a wholly-owned affiliate of American Capital, Ltd ("American Capital"). It is managed by European Capital Asset Management Limited (the "Investment Manager"), a wholly-owned affiliate of American Capital. The Investment Manager has offices in London and Paris with 55 employees. Since its inception, European Capital Limited has invested €3.5 billion in over 100 companies in Europe. European Capital and its affiliates will consider senior and mezzanine debt investment opportunities from 10 million to 100 million in either euros or sterling and up to 400 million for One Stop Buyouts®. For further information, please refer to www.EuropeanCapital.com.

ABOUT AMERICAN CAPITAL
American Capital, Ltd. (Nasdaq: ACAS) is a publicly traded private equity firm and global asset manager. American Capital, both directly and through its asset management business, originates, underwrites and manages investments in middle market private equity, leveraged finance, real estate and structured products. American Capital manages $20 billion of assets, including assets on its balance sheet and fee earning assets under management by affiliated managers, with $117 billion of total assets under management (including levered assets). Through an affiliate, American Capital manages publicly traded American Capital Agency Corp. (Nasdaq: AGNC) with approximately $10 billion of net book value and American Capital Mortgage Investment Corp. (Nasdaq: MTGE) with approximately $1 billion of net book value. From its eight offices in the U.S. and Europe, American Capital and its affiliate, European Capital, will consider investment opportunities from $10 million to $750 million. For further information, please refer to www.AmericanCapital.com.

CONTACT: + 44 (0) 207 539 7000
Nathalie Faure Beaulieu, Regional Managing Director
Colin Wright, Investment Director

SOURCE European Capital Limited