Transaction firsts

2008

First leveraged buyout in the Dominican Republic

Aerodom - Airport group

2006

First mid-market private equity transaction in Mexico to use cash flow-based debt

Milano - Discount clothing retailer

2004-06

First international buy-and-build strategy executed by Spanish private equity firm

Parques Reunidos - Leisure park operator

2003

First private equity-backed public-to-private in Central Europe

Terapia - Branded generics manufacturer

2003

First leveraged buyout in Hungary

Danubius - Commercial radio station

2003

First leveraged buyout in Poland

Bolix - Construction chemicals manufacturer

2003

First private equity- backed public-to-private in Spain

Parques Reunidos - Leisure park operator

2002

First private equity transaction to use a currency hedge in Brazil

Central Lav - Industrial laundry

1999

First major private equity investment in the Czech Republic

Cesky Mobil - Mobile phone operator

Industry firsts

2008

First industrially-focused, mid-market Japan fund raised by an international private equity house

JPEF - ¥60 billion ($550 million)

1989

Private equity industry’s first integrated pan-European private equity fund

European Special Situations Fund, $231m, raised

1987

Private equity industry's first global private equity fund

International Network Fund, $225m, raised

1984

First venture capital firm in Southeast Asia

SEAVI Advent

IPO firsts 

1999

First technology IPO in Hungary

Synergon - IT services group

1997

First Asian company to go public on Nasdaq

Zindart - (Hong Kong) Collectible products manufacturer

1997

First dual Nasdaq/Easdaq IPO by an Irish company

ESAT Telecom Alternative - Fixed and mobile telecoms provider

1997

First private equity-backed IPO in Mexico

Latinoamericana Duty Free - (Aeroboutiques) Duty-free retailer

Financing firsts

2001

First bond offering in Mexico by a private equity backed company

Fumisa - Airport manager 

1999

First eurodenominated high yield issue by a Spanish company

Jazztel - Alternative telecom provider

1998

Largest sterling/ dollar split bond offering by a private company

HMV - International music, book and video retailer

1996

First high-yield issue by a Polish company

@entertainment - Multi-channel TV company

1996

First high-yield offering by a German company

PrimaCom - (formerly Kabelmedia) Cable TV operator