20.12.2013
Avallon finally collects EUR 109 million in a new fund for joint investments with managers
Dwóch mężczyzn w garniturach przy stole z nagrodą.
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from left: Michał Zawisza – Partner Avallon MBO FUND, Tomasz Stamirowski – Managing Partner Avallon MBO FUND

20.12.2013r.

Avallon, a Łódź based company which manages private equity funds, gained new investors at the very end of the year and finally increased the amount of its fund – Avallon MBO II up to the amount of EUR 109 M. All the money shall be spent for joint transactions with managers which mainly aim at buying out shares sold by their current owners or investments in private companies managed by their founders. Avallon has had long‑time experience in such areas with almost 100 transactions with managers since 2001 and being a leader on the management buyout market.

The new fund totals to EUR 109 M which makes a significant increase compared to the first closing in the beginning of the year at ca. EUR 60 M. Investors include international financial institutions, e.g.: the European Bank for Construction and Development, the European Investment Fund, funds managed by a Swiss company Akina Partners. Within the current increase, the Fund was also joined by a Polish Fund – Growth Funds initiated by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego. Avallon has also invested into the fund its own money of plus EUR 4 M.

The fund shall mainly invest in companies with turnovers from 50 to 250 M zlotys. The investments shall cover various businesses, including: FMCG and manufacturing companies. An average investment is between 30 and 40 million zlotys, though due to co‑investment agreements signed with fund’s investors and partners, the fund may carry out much more valuable transactions. The key indicator for each investment is the quality of the managerial staff and their concept to increase the company value. Avallon is closely watching leading companies in various branches.

The new Fund has already made two transactions this year. The first one was VELVET Care, the company well‑known on the personal hygiene market from the VELVET brand, which was bought from the American corporation Kimberly Clark. Another one – Marketplanet, a leader on the Polish market in corporate purchases (IT consultancy and solutions) was purchased from Telekomunikacja Polska S.A. Both transactions were carried out together with managers.

The fund is run by a team of Polish experts with multi‑year experience who enjoy full influence upon investment decisions made. In 2013, Avallon was distinguished as the Best Fund in Poland among funds with capitals up to 200 M euros.

Tomasz Stamirowski, Avallon Managing Partner

Avallon is a unique investor which for many years has built its position on the basis of its values, such as: partner relations with managers, involvement, professionalism. We managed to achieve the assumed Fund value which shall allow further strong development of the managing company, as well as supporting numerous interesting transactions initiated by managers.

Michał Zawisza, Partner Avallon

We are happy with the trust from investors who have commended further resources to our management. We are planning to expand the investment team. Our satisfaction is even greater as we are one of but a few companies in the financial business which are seated and enjoy full decision‑making in Łódź. And in the area of manager buyout, we are the leader on the Polish market.

Robert Więcławski, Partner Avallon

Our long‑term experience allows to run difficult and complex transactions. We intend to actively support foreign expansion of companies from our portfolio, as we did it when our portfolio company MEDORT S.A. bought the German Meyra Company, one of the icons on the European rehabilitation market. Such actions are appreciated both by managers in the companies we invest in and our partners who have entrusted capital in our new fund.

Previous fund: Avallon MBO FUND I – investments

Avallon MBO FUND I capitalised at EUR 50 M, allocated its money to: Orthopaedic Company MEDORT S.A. in Łódź (2007) – a leader on the rehabilitation and orthopaedics market, FITEN S.A. (2008) which deals with wholesale of electricity and investments in renewable energy sources (biomass), GOOD FOOD S.A. (2009) – a leading manufacturer and distributor of rice wafers, ORGANIC FARMA ZDROWIA S.A. (2010) – a leader on the ecological and organic food market, AG FOODS in the Czech Republic (2011) – a leader of the soluble drinks market in the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary, EKO VIMAR Orlański Sp. z o.o. (2011) – a manufacturer of modern, ecological pellet boilers, LIMITO S.A. (2011) a fish and seafood processing and distribution company, and CEKO Sp. z o.o. (2012) – a manufacturer of high quality cheeses.

from left: Michał Zawisza – Partner Avallon MBO FUND, Tomasz Stamirowski – Managing Partner Avallon MBO FUND

20.12.2013r.

Avallon, a Łódź based company which manages private equity funds, gained new investors at the very end of the year and finally increased the amount of its fund – Avallon MBO II up to the amount of EUR 109 M. All the money shall be spent for joint transactions with managers which mainly aim at buying out shares sold by their current owners or investments in private companies managed by their founders. Avallon has had long‑time experience in such areas with almost 100 transactions with managers since 2001 and being a leader on the management buyout market.

The new fund totals to EUR 109 M which makes a significant increase compared to the first closing in the beginning of the year at ca. EUR 60 M. Investors include international financial institutions, e.g.: the European Bank for Construction and Development, the European Investment Fund, funds managed by a Swiss company Akina Partners. Within the current increase, the Fund was also joined by a Polish Fund – Growth Funds initiated by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego. Avallon has also invested into the fund its own money of plus EUR 4 M.

The fund shall mainly invest in companies with turnovers from 50 to 250 M zlotys. The investments shall cover various businesses, including: FMCG and manufacturing companies. An average investment is between 30 and 40 million zlotys, though due to co‑investment agreements signed with fund’s investors and partners, the fund may carry out much more valuable transactions. The key indicator for each investment is the quality of the managerial staff and their concept to increase the company value. Avallon is closely watching leading companies in various branches.

The new Fund has already made two transactions this year. The first one was VELVET Care, the company well‑known on the personal hygiene market from the VELVET brand, which was bought from the American corporation Kimberly Clark. Another one – Marketplanet, a leader on the Polish market in corporate purchases (IT consultancy and solutions) was purchased from Telekomunikacja Polska S.A. Both transactions were carried out together with managers.

The fund is run by a team of Polish experts with multi‑year experience who enjoy full influence upon investment decisions made. In 2013, Avallon was distinguished as the Best Fund in Poland among funds with capitals up to 200 M euros.

Tomasz Stamirowski, Avallon Managing Partner

Avallon is a unique investor which for many years has built its position on the basis of its values, such as: partner relations with managers, involvement, professionalism. We managed to achieve the assumed Fund value which shall allow further strong development of the managing company, as well as supporting numerous interesting transactions initiated by managers.

Michał Zawisza, Partner Avallon

We are happy with the trust from investors who have commended further resources to our management. We are planning to expand the investment team. Our satisfaction is even greater as we are one of but a few companies in the financial business which are seated and enjoy full decision‑making in Łódź. And in the area of manager buyout, we are the leader on the Polish market.

Robert Więcławski, Partner Avallon

Our long‑term experience allows to run difficult and complex transactions. We intend to actively support foreign expansion of companies from our portfolio, as we did it when our portfolio company MEDORT S.A. bought the German Meyra Company, one of the icons on the European rehabilitation market. Such actions are appreciated both by managers in the companies we invest in and our partners who have entrusted capital in our new fund.

Previous fund: Avallon MBO FUND I – investments

Avallon MBO FUND I capitalised at EUR 50 M, allocated its money to: Orthopaedic Company MEDORT S.A. in Łódź (2007) – a leader on the rehabilitation and orthopaedics market, FITEN S.A. (2008) which deals with wholesale of electricity and investments in renewable energy sources (biomass), GOOD FOOD S.A. (2009) – a leading manufacturer and distributor of rice wafers, ORGANIC FARMA ZDROWIA S.A. (2010) – a leader on the ecological and organic food market, AG FOODS in the Czech Republic (2011) – a leader of the soluble drinks market in the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary, EKO VIMAR Orlański Sp. z o.o. (2011) – a manufacturer of modern, ecological pellet boilers, LIMITO S.A. (2011) a fish and seafood processing and distribution company, and CEKO Sp. z o.o. (2012) – a manufacturer of high quality cheeses.

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  • 25 Years of Avallon MBO – A quarter-century of supporting entrepreneurship and over PLN 1 billion invested in the Polish economy

    Avallon MBO is a pioneer of the management buyout (MBO) market in Poland and, for 25 years, has remained true to its core principles—turning managers into entrepreneurs. This is underpinned by unique experience gained from over 150 transactions executed in partnership with management teams.

    Since its inception, the fund has invested more than PLN 1 billion in the development of its portfolio companies, supporting their operational growth, international expansion, and transformation processes. On average, Avallon’s portfolio companies double their revenue and EBITDA during the investment period. Avallon has co-created the market success of brands such as VELVET Care, Good Food, and Wosana, and was also behind one of the most successful acquisitions of a Polish company in the German market—the medical company Meyra.

    Today, Avallon ranks among the leading private equity funds in Poland. It is one of the few domestic firms to have completed at least three full investment fund cycles and is currently preparing to launch another. Its objective is to actively support the transformation of the Polish economy by implementing modern technological solutions in traditional sectors.

    Over the years, the fund’s team has built a broad and lasting network of relationships, collaborating with more than 10,000 leading Polish managers and entrepreneurs and analyzing approximately 5,000 investment opportunities.

     

    A quarter-century of Avallon MBO’s operations also reflects the maturation of the MBO market in Poland—from early transactions, conducted in an environment of limited capital access and  a short tradition of private investment, to a fully developed market segment where MBOs have become a key tool for succession, management professionalization, and accelerating the growth of domestic businesses.

    Today, Avallon belongs to a select group of private equity funds in Poland with at least three full fund  cycles completed. The team is currently launching a fourth one —which is going to be significantly larger in scale and open to a new category of investors, including family foundations.

     

    Avallon was a pioneer of the MBO model in Poland and is now the undisputed leader in this segment. The fund has played a significant role in popularizing management buyouts as an effective tool for business development and  promoting entrepreneurship in Poland.

    The fund is an active investor focused on growth and long-term value creation. It invests in strong companies with a clear ambition—to transform them into best-in-class businesses. To date, Avallon has invested over PLN 1 billion to support management buyouts and the growth of mid-sized companies in Poland. Portfolio companies have additionally allocated nearly PLN 1 billion in capital expenditures (CAPEX) for development and modernization, while average employment growth during the investment period has reached approximately 20%. On average, companies double their revenue and EBITDA during the fund’s investment horizon.

    Avallon invests across a range of sectors, building a diversified portfolio of successful projects. Its key areas include consumer goods (VELVET, GOOD FOOD, Wiejska Zagroda), healthcare (MEDORT), services (MPS, STANGL TECHNIK), as well as technology (Marketplanet, Globema) and engineering (Bipromet).

    The fund has developed extensive sector expertise, further strengthened by its collaboration model with experienced managers and founders who bring deep knowledge of their companies and industries. Over 25 years, the team has established relationships with more than 10,000 top managers, and approximately 5,000 investment projects have gone through its analytical process. In the coming years, the MBO segment in Poland is expected to gain further importance driven by succession challenges, ongoing industry consolidation, and increasing pressure for technological transformation.

    “25 years of Avallon is not only the story of the development of the MBO market, but also our active contribution to building Polish capital and strengthening the domestic economy. Ahead of us are further challenges—supporting the technological and business transformation of private companies established in the 1990s, as well as their international expansion. Today, private equity funds possess significant intellectual capital derived from transactional and operational experience, as well as extensive networks. Increasingly, they serve as an effective mechanism for allocating capital to companies with the highest growth potential,” says Tomasz Stamirowski, Managing Partner at Avallon MBO.

    “We are often described as a ‘fund with a human face.’ From the very beginning, we have placed great emphasis on ethics, trust, and values such as commitment, integrity, and professionalism. For us, business is not only about capital, but also about long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. This may explain  why many of our transactions are carried out not only with managers, but also with founders or their successors,” says Robert Więcławski, Senior Partner at Avallon MBO.

    In the near term, Avallon plans to launch its fourth fund—significantly larger than its previous investment vehicles. The new fund will enable further scaling of operations and the execution of additional ambitious development projects within Polish enterprises, with a focus on building strong, competitive companies and supporting the long-term growth of the Polish economy.

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    S’portofino, an Avallon MBO portfolio company, continues to strengthen its position in the premium fashion and sport segment by combining the world of sport with top-quality fashion.

    Urszula Radwańska, a renowned Polish tennis player, has now joined the brand’s group of ambassadors. Her international court experience, determination and strong sense of style naturally align with S’portofino’s DNA. This marks another step in building a strong, aspirational lifestyle brand rooted in authenticity and consistent values.

    On this occasion, the company has also announced a new initiative — Tennis Camp Ula Radwańska by S’portofino, which will take place on 20–26 April in Marbella, Spain. The camp offers a unique opportunity to develop tennis skills under the guidance of internationally experienced professionals, in small groups, with an individual approach and in an inspiring, premium environment that creates a distinctive sporting experience.

    We encourage interested participants to register. Enrollment is open only until 5 April.
    https://tenniscamp-uradwanska.pl/

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  • Avallon MBO Supports the Development of Young Talent in PE/VC

    Avallon MBO supported the 4th edition of the Practical Private Equity & Venture Capital Course, co-organized by the Polish Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (PSIK) and Level 20. This year’s edition was partnered by the Warsaw Stock Exchange Foundation.

    The course is a unique educational initiative aimed at students, providing access to practical knowledge about the private equity and venture capital market through a series of workshops led by experienced fund managers.

    As part of the program, Agnieszka Pakulska and Marcin Konarski represented Avallon MBO, sharing their experience in investment project analysis, cooperation with management teams, and building company value during the investment process.

    An important element of this year’s edition was also the involvement of Level 20 – an initiative supporting the development of women in the private equity industry, co-founded by Agnieszka Pakulska.

    From Avallon MBO’s perspective, the opportunity for direct interaction with course participants and observing the high level of engagement and interest in the PE/VC market among the younger generation was particularly valuable. Participation in the program provides students with a meaningful opportunity to gain practical knowledge and better understand the specifics of the private equity and venture capital market.

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  • Soccer players and kids on the field
    Avallon Employees’ Kids on the Pitch – Supporting the Widzew Academy

    During the match between Widzew Łódź and Lech Poznań, the children of Avallon employees and their friends took part in a special pre-match ceremony, escorting the players of both teams onto the pitch.
    Before the first whistle, the youngest participants, together with girls from the Widzew Academy, stepped onto the field alongside the players, accompanying them during their entrance to the stadium. For the children, it was a truly special moment and an unforgettable experience that will surely stay with them for a long time.
    The match delivered plenty of sporting excitement for the fans and ended with a 2:1 victory for Widzew Łódź over Lech Poznań.
    We are proud to support the development of young athletes as a partner of the Widzew Academy and to create opportunities for such memorable football moments.
    Congratulations to the Widzew team on a great result, and thank you for the opportunity to be part of this special event.

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  • Agnieszka Pakulska Named Among Forbes Women Poland’s 25 Top Investors

    We are proud to announce that Agnieszka Pakulska, Partner at Avallon MBO, has been recognized in the prestigious Forbes Women Poland 25 Top Investors list.
    Agnieszka is the author of key transactions and co-creator of projects that consistently enhance the value of portfolio companies. She combines investment discipline with a long-term approach to developing businesses and teams, while actively promoting the presence of women in private equity, including as a co-founder of the Level20 initiative.
    At Avallon MBO, diversity and professionalism are integral to our teams. We believe that teams combining different experiences make better decisions and create lasting value.
    Congratulations to Agnieszka and all the distinguished investors!
    https://www.forbes.pl/forbeswomen/lista-forbes-women-25-top-inwestorek/2fs54v0

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