Acquisition of Flint Group by Goldman Sachs Division, Koch Industries Subsidiary Is Completed

LUXEMBOURG, FRANKFURT, GERMANY, NEW YORK—September 5, 2014—Today, Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division and Koch Equity Development LLC, announced the completion of their acquisition of Flint Group from funds managed by CVC Capital Partners.

The transaction will allow Flint Group’s management team to continue to pursue a greater presence in the printed packaging market while fortifying Flint Group’s leadership position in the print media sectors.

Flint Group is a leading global supplier to the packaging and print media industries, with a portfolio that spans inks, plates, blankets, pressroom chemicals and more. The number one or number two supplier in most of the market segments it serves, Flint Group operates 137 sites in 40 countries and employs some 6,600 people.

“This is a great day for Flint Group employees, our customers and our suppliers,” said Antoine Fady, CEO of Flint Group. “Following the acquisition by our new shareholders, Flint Group now goes forward with a much stronger capital structure and additional flexibility. With that, we can put greater momentum behind the strategies that have already made Flint Group an industry leader. Ultimately, that benefits everyone we do business with.”

About Flint Group
Flint Group is dedicated to serving the global printing and packaging industry. The company develops, manufactures and markets an extensive portfolio of printing consumables, including: a vast range of conventional and energy curable inks and coatings for most offset, flexographic and gravure applications; pressroom chemicals, printing blankets and sleeves for offset printing; photopolymer printing plates and sleeves, plate-making equipment and flexographic sleeve systems; pigments and additives for use in inks and other colorant applications. With a strong customer focus, unmatched service and support, and superior products, Flint Group strives to provide exceptional value, consistent quality and continuous innovation to customers around the world. Headquartered in Luxembourg, Flint Group employs some 6600 people. Revenues for 2013 were € 2.2 billion (US $2.9 billion). On a worldwide basis, the company is the number one or number two supplier in every major market segment it serves.

About Koch Equity Development
Koch Equity Development is the acquisition and investment subsidiary of Koch Industries. Based in Wichita, KS, Koch Industries is one of the largest private companies in America with annual revenues of about $115 billion. It owns a diverse group of companies involved in refining, chemicals and biofuels; forest and consumer products; fertilizers; polymers and fibers; process and pollution control equipment and technologies; commodity trading; minerals; energy; ranching; glass; and investments. In 2013, Koch companies employed about 60,000 people in the United States and paid compensation and benefits totaling $4.8 billion. From January 2009 to present, Koch companies earned nearly 800 awards for safety, environmental excellence, community stewardship, innovation, and customer service.

About Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division
Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division (“MBD”) is the primary center for Goldman Sachs’ long-term principal investing activity, and Goldman Sachs has operated this business as an integral part of the firm for more than 25 years. The group invests in equity and credit across corporate, real estate and infrastructure strategies. Since 1986, the group has raised over $125 billion of capital to invest across a number of geographies, industries and transaction types. With eight offices in six countries around the world, MBD is one of the largest managers of private capital globally, offering deep expertise and long-standing relationships with companies, investors, entrepreneurs and financial intermediaries around the globe. MBD has extensive experience investing in German blue chip companies, including Kion (material handling), Kabel Deutschland (cable television), Cognis (specialty chemicals), Messer Griesheim (industrial gases) and Xella (building materials).

Goldman Sachs is one of the leading global investment banks with activities in the areas investment banking, securities and investment management. The diversified client base comprises industrial companies, banks, insurance companies, governments and wealthy individuals. Founded 1869 in New York, Goldman Sachs is today one of the oldest and largest investment banks globally.

Source: Flint.