Multinational private equity firm SigmaBleyzer acquired a controlling share of bottled water company Asem-Ai. A reported USD 70 million was paid by SigmaBleyzer’s SBV-V Fund. The investment will open the way for Asem-Ai’s market expansion and building of new facilities through the capital increase. Founder Asem Ai Mukhtar Kochkarov will continue to manage the company as president as well as retain partial ownership.
Asem-Ai (www.asemai.kz)
Asem-Ai is one of the leaders in the bottled mineral water market in Kazakhstan. Although, the consumption level of bottled water is small compared to other countries in the region and throughout Europe, the continued growth of the sector has brought Asem-Ai to the top of the market.
SigmaBleyzer (www.sigmableyzer.com)
One of the largest private equity investors in Eastern Europe, SigmaBleyzer has utilized its western-style management and local market knowledge to strengthen it position as one of the largest investment management companies in the region.
The firm manages funds and investment vehicles with special purposes using over USD 1 billion in assets under management. Since 1994, the company has invested in over 100 Eastern European firms. The SigmaBleyzer SBV-V Fund has raised USD 150 million and focuses on investments in Kazakhstan. Other funds from the firm invest in Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine.
The company’s headquarters is Houston, but it operates with offices in Sofia, Astana, Almaty, Bucharest, Kyiv and Kharkiv.
January 23, 2009
Investment, Kazakhstan, Private Equity News