Black Pearl Capital Partners Acquires Former Blackburn Paper Mill as it Continues Development of its UK Renewable Energy Parks - Start of demolition works at the former chemical plant in Castleford

Black Pearl Capital Partners announces the appointment of Bill Bates as Managing Director of Organic Waste Management Commencement of commercial bio-diesel production at the Wirral facility

Black Pearl Capital Partners (“BPCP”) today announced the appointment of Bill Bates, a respected bio-diesel expert with extensive management experience, as Managing Director of its Biodiesel facility in Bromborough, Wirral. This refinery, which is the UK’s third largest in terms of production capacity, has recently started commercial production of EN 14214 biodiesel.

Bill Bates has been advising BPCP and its co-investor and asset manager, Aeternum Capital, on this project since its purchase in June 2010. In his new role, he will be managing all operational aspects of the plant and ensuring that the site meets its production targets.

He brings with him a wealth of experience in biodiesel production from his time at D1 Oils plc where he was Managing Director of Refining and Business Development Director for the UK. During his time at D1, he led the research and development program and oversaw the construction and operation of 5 modular refineries with a further 5 under construction. Previously, Bill Bates was Chief Executive of the North East Regional Chamber of Commerce, the first and largest Regional Chamber in the UK.

"The initial success of this project is due to the insight and experience of Bill Bates, who has extensive knowledge of the renewable energy industry. His full-time dedication to this project will help ensure that we meet our targets and become fully operational next year,” said Reza Irani-Kermani, CEO of Black Pearl Capital. “When we acquired the site, we set out a production schedule that would allow us to start biodiesel production as quickly as possible. We are now clearly on that path.”

The plant is expected to produce 50,000 tons of biodiesel per year by the first quarter of 2012. Having successfully completed the recomissioning process, the plant is scaling up its production in order to bring the plant to full capacity during the second half of 2012. It will also ensure that the finished product meets full European biodiesel quality standards (EN 14214).

As a dedicated supplier of renewable energy, Organic Waste Management continues to work with industry specialists to ensure that the sustainability criteria of its supply chain are optimized in order to provide transparent carbon footprints. Burning biodiesel products considerably reduces carbon dioxide emissions (CO2), a greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to global warming.

About Black Pearl Capital Partners

Black Pearl Capital Partners is a private equity fund with a committed capital of USD 50m set up and managed by Black Pearl Capital (“BPC”). BPC is an asset management and advisory firm registered in the Cayman Islands, with offices in Europe and the Middle-East where its dedicated team of professionals provide its clients with specialized wealth and investment management services, as well as deal specific transaction advice. For more information, visit http://www.blackpearlcap.com.

About Aeternum Capital

Aeternum Capital works alongside partners, such as Black Pearl Capital, to originate investments, create value, and deliver solutions for their UK Infrastructure Assets across Renewable Energy sectors including Biomass, Waste-to-Energy, Biofuels and associated commercial activities. For more information, visit www.aeternumcapital.com

Press Contact:

Isabelle Tadmoury

Phone: +33.6.85.85.81.90

Email isabelle@blackpearlcap.com

Black Pearl Capital Opens New Headquarters in Downtown Geneva

Black Pearl Capital Opens New Headquarters in Downtown Geneva

New office part of Company’s continuing growth track

Black Pearl Capital, an asset management and advisory firm that co-invests alongside its clients, has opened the site of its new headquarters in downtown Geneva, Switzerland. The new office will serve as a focal point for Black Pearl Capital’s activities around the world, where it has interests in several market segments such as the oil & gas service industry, renewable energy, new technology, leisure industry and real estate.

“At Black Pearl Capital, one of our greatest assets is the confidence given to us by our network of investors. We believe that this confidence is borne in part by our transparent analysis and reporting and in part by the fact that we take a direct financial interest as co-investors in many of the investments that we source,” said Fareed Asadi, Chairman of Black Pearl Capital.

“Our Geneva office allows us to continue building on our track-record of sustained growth by giving us the capacity required to develop our pipeline of new projects thereby broadening our portfolio of investment offerings” Asadi continued.

The Black Pearl Global Opportunity Fund (BPGOF) is an aggressive multi-strategy hedge fund that runs a concentrated portfolio of diverse positions. The Fund has a bias towards event driven strategies with a market overlay to take advantage of the market’s current high volatility.

The private equity Fund, Black Pearl Capital Partners (BPCP), invests in a variety of sectors such as early stage green infrastructure developments, oil field services, distressed real estate asset management companies, and new technology high growth companies.

Black Pearl Capital’s dedicated global team of professionals and partners, come from the investment banking and private banking industry and have an extensive track record of developing complex custom-made financial solutions.

Black Pearl Capital’s new offices are located at 15, Rue Ami-Lévrier in Geneva. For more information, visit http://blackpearlcap.com

Contact: Isabelle Tadmoury

Phone: +33.6.85.85.81.90

Email: isabelle@blackpearlcap.com

Source: Black Pearl Capital

Black Pearl Capital Partners purchases equity share in Summit Equities LLC

Investment in-line with distressed real-estate strategy and provides further inroads to valuable U.S. opportunities

Black Pearl Capital’s private equity fund, Black Pearl Capital Partners (“BPCP”), has invested in Summit Equities LLC, a US based real-estate investment company that specializes in purchasing non-performing debt instruments and commercial real-estate properties. 

"We’ve had great success in the UK by turning around depressed real-estate properties and we wanted to replicate that success in the US market,” said Dominique Leimer, Senior Partner Black Pearl Capital. “Summit Equities has shown a deep understanding of the complex commercial real-estate market. Along with their strong relationships to local banks, they are an ideal company to align with as we continue to capitalize on the opportunities in the current market.”   

Summit Equities is known for its access to regional banks and its ability to procure extensive off market transactions with a dedicated focus to acquiring and managing non-performing and value add real-estate investments. Their executive team has over $1.5 billion in transactional experience giving them the potential to become a major market participant.

“The foundation of the firm is built on rigorous due diligence in all of our pursuits, acting with the highest ethical integrity, and maximizing our personal relationships to obtain direct transaction with sellers, optimizing our resources and returns. We are thrilled to have BPCP as a partner and believe in the value our collective platforms will create together,”said Evan Seiden, CEO of Summit Equities LLC. 

About Black Pearl Capital Partners

Black Pearl Capital Partners is a private equity fund with a committed capital of USD 50m set up and managed by Black Pearl Capital (“BPC”). BPC is an asset management and advisory firm registered in the Cayman Islands, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information, visit http://blackpearlcap.com.

Contact: Isabelle Tadmoury

Phone: +33.6.85.85.81.90

Email: isabelle@blackpearlcap.com

Source:  Black Pearl Capital

Black Pearl Capital Partners Acquires Canadian Energy Equipment Manufacturing

The Fund continues its strategic investments into oilfield services

Black Pearl Capital’s private equity fund, Black Pearl Capital Partners (“BPCP”), today announced that it has successfully completed the acquisition of Canadian Energy Equipment Manufacturing FZE (“CEEM”), a specialist in custom-made equipment for the oilfield industry. As part of the transaction, Tyler Hague, the founder of CEEM, will continue as its Chief Executive Officer.

"BPCP’s expertise, knowledge, and substantial financial resources will enable us to increase our product and services offering in order to continue growing our existing customer base and expand CEEM’s regional footprint,” said Tyler Hague, CEO of CEEM. “This move is fundamental to the company’s long-term potential and to its immediate growth path within the region.”

Based in the UAE, CEEM specializes in the manufacturing of unique and custom-made equipment for the oilfield industry.  One area of its expertise is the design and manufacturing of Advanced Hydraulic Workover Units/Rigs (“AHWU”), a vital component of any field development, maintenance and drilling operation. The Company further provides multiple oilfield related services such as Water Jet Cutting, CNC Plasma Cutting, Steel Fabrication, Machining, Grit Blasting and Painting.  CEEM has a large and diversified customer base including the leading oilfield services companies such as Weatherford International, Halliburton, Tesco Top Drives and Cudd Energy Services, who count on its high quality services and tailor made solutions for their operations worldwide.

“We are impressed with the track record of the CEEM management team. The Company has secured multiple contracts with leading oil services companies by continuing to deliver high quality purpose built equipment on time and on budget. Our ambition is for CEEM to be a leading UAE based provider of equipment to oil and gas service providers in the MENA region.” said Reza Irani, CEO of Black Pearl Capital. “We are committed to our investment strategy in this sector, and believe oil services are poised for long term growth with an increasing requirement for high quality, affordable and creative equipment and solutions.”

About Black Pearl Capital Partners

Black Pearl Capital Partners is a private equity fund with a committed capital of USD 50m set up and managed by Black Pearl Capital (“BPC”). BPC is an asset management and advisory firm registered in the Cayman Islands, with offices in Europe and the Middle-East where its dedicated team of professionals provide its clients with specialized wealth and investment management services, as well as deal specific transaction advice. For more information, visit http://blackpearlcap.com.

Contact: Isabelle Tadmoury

Phone: +33.6.85.85.81.90

Email: isabelle@blackpearlcap.com

Source:  Black Pearl Capital

Black Pearl Capital Partners Acquires Bio–Diesel Refinery in Wirral. Latest in a series of acquisitions in the renewable energy sector.

Black Pearl Capital Partners (“BPCP”) today announced that it has added another UK renewable energy site to its UK portfolio in Bromborough, Wirral. The site consists of 46 acres with facilities for bio–diesel refining, blending, processing as well as storage.

"Today’s purchase comes on the heels of another renewable energy site we acquired in Castleford, Yorkshire. It allows us to continue an investment strategy in waste processing, waste-to-energy and renewable energy sectors,” said Reza Irani-Kermani, CEO of Black Pearl Capital. “We expect the site to be operational by mid-2011 thereby creating new employment opportunities in the region.”

The plant is currently capable of processing up to 100,000 tones of waste oils into a range of bio-diesel products. Burning bio-diesel products considerably reduces carbon dioxide emissions (CO2), a greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to global warming.

BPCP and its co-investor and asset manager, Aeternum Capital, are also investigating other opportunities to increase the investment at the site in order to develop a larger range of renewable energy activities.

About Black Pearl Capital Partners

Black Pearl Capital Partners is a private equity fund with a committed capital of USD 50m set up and managed by Black Pearl Capital (“BPC”). BPC is an asset management and advisory firm registered in the Cayman Islands, with offices in Europe and the Middle-East where its dedicated team of professionals provide its clients with specialized wealth and investment management services, as well as deal specific transaction advice. For more information, visit http://blackpearlcap.com. 

About Aeternum Capital

Aeternum Capital works alongside partners, such as Black Pearl Capital, to originate investments, create value, and deliver solutions for their UK Infrastructure Assets across Renewable Energy sectors including Biomass, Waste-to-Energy, Biofuels and associated commercial activities. For more information, visit www.aeternumcapital.com

Contact: Isabelle Tadmoury

Phone: +33.6.85.85.81.90

Email: isabelle@blackpearlcap.com

Source:  Black Pearl Capital

Black Pearl Capital Partners Invests in Hantec Markets, an Online Forex Trading Service. The fund aims to help Hantec expand its presence in the European retail FX market

Black Pearl Capital Partners (“BPCP”) today announced that it has invested in Hantec Markets Limited in an effort to help expand its presence in the European retail Forex (FX) market, one of the largest and most liquid financial markets in the world. As a member of the Hantec Group, the UK based Hantec Markets is part of a dynamic expansion from China to Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and now to Europe.

“The FX market produces a higher leverage than the standard stock loan agreement which has always made it attractive for banks and larger financial institutions. Today through new currency trading technology services from Hantec Markets, any trader can tap into this market,” said Reza Irani-Kermani, CEO of Black Pearl Capital. “We believe that there are huge opportunities in this online market and therefore we are helping Hantec Markets establish itself as a dominant force in the European online Forex space.”

The global Forex market is larger than the stock and futures markets combined, with an estimated USD 4 trillion traded each day. It operates 24 hours 5.5 days per week offering traders huge opportunities to benefit from fluctuations in the currency markets. As there is no structural bias to the FX market, trading in Forex provides an equal prospective in rising and falling markets.

“BPCP bring a valuable investment into Hantec Markets as they come with a wealth of experience due to their diverse board and international investment strategy. These credentials will assist Hantec Markets in achieving its expansion targets along with continued grown and profitability,” said Bashir Nurmohamed, CEO of Hantec Markets.

Authorised and regulated by the FSA, Hantec Markets can provide its services in any European Economic Area country according to the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID).

About Black Pearl Capital Partners

Black Pearl Capital Partners is a private equity fund with a committed capital of USD 50m set up and managed by Black Pearl Capital (“BPC”). BPC is an asset management and advisory firm registered in the Cayman Islands, with offices in Europe and the Middle-East where its dedicated team of professionals provide its clients with specialized wealth and investment management services, as well as deal specific transaction advice. For more information, visit http://www.blackpearlcap.com.

Contact: Isabelle Tadmoury

Phone: +33.6.85.85.81.90

Email: isabelle@blackpearlcap.com

Source:  Black Pearl Capital

Black Pearl Capital Partners Helps Finance Infinias New Solar Power Generation Product Contributes to launch of PowerDish, Latest investment in renewal energy

Black Pearl Capital Partners Acquires Canadian Energy Equipment Manufacturing

Black Pearl Capital Partners (“BPCP”) today announced that it participated in the latest round of financing for Infinia Corporation, a Kennewick, WA company with a uniquely scalable solar power solution that will enable broad access to inexpensive, mass-manufactured solar power.

The financing, which was led by GLG Partners with participation from BPCP and includes previous investors such as Vulcan Capital, will enable Infinia to fund the commercial launch of its PowerDish product.

"We’re excited about being a part of a technology that could change the way we view and use solar energy. Infinia has the makings of a company that could set a new standard for clean, emissions-free electricity,” said Reza Irani-Kermani, CEO of Black Pearl Capital. “We continually search for companies that combine innovation in renewable energy with a high potential for success.”

The PowerDish converts the sun's heat into electricity by coupling Infinia's patented, low-cost and maintenance-free Stirling engine with a dish-style solar concentrator to create electric grid-ready solar power.

About Black Pearl Capital Partners

Black Pearl Capital Partners is a private equity fund with a committed capital of USD 50m set up and managed by Black Pearl Capital (“BPC”). BPC is an asset management and advisory firm registered in the Cayman Islands, with offices in Europe and the Middle-East where its dedicated team of professionals provide its clients with specialized wealth and investment management services, as well as deal specific transaction advice.

Contact: Isabelle Tadmoury

Black Pearl Capitals New Private Equity Fund Acquires Kelsdale, a 140-acre Former Chemical Factory in Yorkshire

The fund, Black Pearl Capital Partners, continues strategic investment into infrastructure and renewal energy sectors.

Black Pearl Capital’s newly set-up private equity fund, Black Pearl Capital Partners (“BPCP”) today announced that it has become the majority stakeholder of Kelsdale, a former chemical plant located on 142-acres in Castleford, Yorkshire. It represents a major new UK investment for the fund and continues BPCP’s focus on infrastructure assets and renewable energy.

The fund and its co-investor and asset manager, Aeternum Capital, have begun to investigate the development opportunities for the site. They are currently in preliminary discussions with all stakeholders including, the local authorities and the UK Environment Agency to devise a long-term plan that will enable new jobs across various sectors for the region.

"One of our key strategies is to look at how we can capitalize on distressed real-estate assets in order to invest in waste processing, waste-to-energy and renewable energy sectors,” said Reza Irani-Kermani, CEO of Black Pearl Capital. “We think the water-side property in Castleford has the potential to become a new source of growth for the region. The plant has been abandoned for a number of years so it is important we find the right long-term approach for this investment.”

About Black Pearl Capital Partners

Black Pearl Capital Partners is a private equity fund with a committed capital of USD 50m set up and managed by Black Pearl Capital (“BPC”). BPC is an asset management and advisory firm registered in the Cayman Islands, with offices in Europe and the Middle-East where its dedicated team of professionals provide its clients with specialized wealth and investment management services, as well as deal specific transaction advice. For more information, visit http://blackpearlcap.com.

About Aeternum Capital

Aeternum Capital works alongside partners, such as Black Pearl Capital, to originate investments, create value, and deliver solutions for their UK Infrastructure Assets across Renewable Energy sectors including Biomass, Waste-to-Energy, Biofuels and associated commercial activities. For more information, visit www.aeternumcapital.com

Contact: Isabelle Tadmoury

Black Pearl Capital, announces the closing of its first private equity fund with a committed capital of USD $50 million.

The "Black Pearl Capital Partners (BPCP)" fund will be the first in a series of private equity funds raised by BPC to take advantage of opportunities in various industry sectors. Proceeds of the fund will be used to invest globally in growth sectors and distressed situations where it can add value. The fund expects a 2 to 3 year investment period with a 5 to 7 year exit.  

Fareed Asadi(Chairman) said:"We are extremely pleased to have launched our first private equity fund. We are excited by the opportunities we are seeing at the moment and extremley positive about the outlook. We are looking at a number of investments currently, across several industry verticals". 

Contact: Isabelle Tadmoury

Phone: +33.6.85.85.81.90

Email: isabelle@blackpearlcap.com

Source:  Black Pearl Capital