May 28 2004
BASF, Bayer and Hoechst today announced that Platinum Equity, a global investment firm based in Los Angeles, California, plans to acquire DyStar, the Frankfurt-based manufacturer of textile dyes. A sales and purchase agreement has been signed with the current owners BASF (30 % share), Bayer (35 % share) and Hoechst (35 % share), a subsidiary of Aventis. According to this agreement, Platinum Equity will acquire 100 % of the shares of DyStar. All parties have agreed not to disclose further financial details. The transaction is subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities.
“We are excited about the opportunity to acquire this business,” said Tom T. Gores, chairman and chief executive officer of Platinum Equity. “DyStar is already a leader in the textile dye industry, with a well-deserved reputation in servicing the textile and fashion industry. We have enormous confidence in its future potential.”
DyStar is the world’s leading provider of dyes and services for the textile industry. The company was founded by Bayer and Hoechst in 1995 and extended to include BASF’s textile dye activities in 2000. DyStar has approximately 3,900 employees worldwide and is active in all key textile markets through its own subsidiaries. In 2003, DyStar posted sales of around €800 million.
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