CapMan Press Release 10 May 2011 at 12.00 EET
CapMan invests in Russian-based Virial
The CapMan Russia fund, in collaboration with the Moscow-based nanotechnology investment company RUSNANO, has invested in Virial. The company is a Russian manufacturer of ceramic and cerametallic components used in a variety of industries. The investment will enable Virial to increase its production capacity in the St. Petersburg region and seek growth opportunities in new application areas.
Established in 1991, Virial manufactures ceramic and cerametallic bearings, cutting tools, and custom-designed hardwearing components. The company had net sales of approx. 15 million in 2010 and employs around 340 people in the St. Petersburg region.
“Virial has grown steadily in recent years and developed its operations to meet the needs of its customers,” says CapMan Investment Director Alexander Vlasov. “The company has a very strong core of technical know-how at its disposal and is well-placed to expand its operations, both in its current areas of activities and in new ones.”
“CapMan’s decision to invest in Virial provides evidence, that our portfolio company has high potential with regards to technology and business development,” says RUSNANO’s Managing Director, Dmitry Lisenkov. “This is the first time that an internationally recognised private equity firm has invested in a Russian company where RUSNANO is a shareholder. We believe that this will allow Virial to be more active in promoting its products on international markets.”
Vladimir Rumyantsev, the CEO of Virial, underlines the importance of the CapMan investment for the current stage of the company’s development: “The investment will allow Virial to intensify its implementation process developing new technologies and releasing nanotech products with advanced consumer features. Based on our extensive market knowledge and long-term relationships with our main clients, Virial has developed a new product mix to meet the needs of current customers and offer new solutions that will allow us to improve the efficiency of our clients’ production processes and equipment.”
Following the investment, the CapMan Russia fund now owns approx. 15% of Virial’s shares. CapMan is a major investor in the CapMan Russia fund.
Further information:
Alexander Vlasov, Investment Director, CapMan Russia, tel. +7 921 936 40 01
CapMan www.capman.com
CapMan is one of the leading private equity firms in the Nordic countries and Russia, with assets under management of 3.4 billion. CapMan has four key investment partnerships – CapMan Buyout, CapMan Russia, CapMan Public Market, and CapMan Real Estate – each of which has its own dedicated investment team and funds. Altogether, CapMan employs approx. 140 people in Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, Moscow and Luxembourg. CapMan was established in 1989 and has been listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange since 2001.
