With $7 billion under management, Vestar Capital Partners is one of the largest private equity firms with a global focus on middle-market investments. The Vestar principals have had significant experience partnering with Japanese companies and, similar to Vestar's experience in Europe with its affiliate offices in Paris and Milan, Vestar's strategy will be to make investments in Japan based on local relationships and extensive knowledge of the market.
Mr. Saji will be President of Vestar Japan Advisers and will lead the Japanese team that will include Taro Sumitani and Shinji Sunouchi. All three were formerly senior executives with Daiwa SMBC and each has over 30 years with that organization, or one of its predecessors. The team will be joined by John Woodard, a long-time Vestar Capital Partners Managing Director with 20 years experience in the private equity business. Mr. Woodard will work to help integrate the culture and practices of Vestar Japan Advisers with the broader global firm. Vestar Capital Partners used a similar approach in launching its European affiliates in 2001 and has become one of the leading private equity firms in continental Europe.
Mr. Saji commented, "I have known the partners of Vestar Capital Partners for over 15 years and am pleased to have the opportunity to help them make investments in Japan. The Vestar principals have a proven track-record of partnering with Japanese companies such as Sumitomo Rubber, Yamada International and Benesse Corporation and our senior Japanese team has unparalleled experience in the Japanese M&A market. I believe that Vestar's long-term investment philosophy, emphasis on forging lasting partnerships, and commitment to respecting local culture will serve it well with Japanese companies."
"With one of the largest economies in the world and an abundance of strong management teams, Japan is an obvious choice for Vestar to continue its global expansion. We believe that Japanese companies are becoming increasingly accepting of private equity as a financing alternative," said Daniel S. O'Connell, the Founder and CEO of Vestar Capital Partners. "The team that Mr. Saji has recruited makes it possible for us to enter the Japanese market with confidence and commitment. This strong foundation of senior talent will give us a unique position in Japan. We have known Mr. Saji since 1990 and are honored to be partners with him in this next chapter of Vestar's expansion."
John Woodard, a Vestar Managing Director who joined Vestar in 1990, reiterated, "Vestar will continue its focus on mid-sized companies and will maintain an investment philosophy consistent with our history in the U.S. and Europe. We strongly believe that our reputation as a provider of long-term, friendly capital fits well with the Japanese market. As more and more companies are conducting business on a global basis, having an affiliate in Japan will make Vestar a better partner to its new and existing portfolio companies. The team's significant experience, as well as their strong local business contacts, will be tremendously valuable in helping the Vestar funds to make new investments and in realizing synergies across the entire portfolio."
Prior to joining Vestar Japan Advisers, Mr. Saji was a Managing Director of Daiwa Securities SMBC Co. Ltd. and Global Head of its Strategic Advisory Department. Prior to joining Daiwa SMBC in June 2002, Mr. Saji was a Director of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Head of the Tokyo Middle Market Banking Division II.
During his 31-year tenure at SMBC (formerly Sumitomo Bank), Mr. Saji had management responsibility for several of Sumitomo's divisions including corporate research, project finance, M&A advisory, international credit (Chief Credit Officer stationed in New York and Head of Itoman/Sumikin Bussan merger/restructuring projects based in San Francisco), and commercial banking divisions (General Manager at the Gotanda and Hiroshima branches, Head of regional operations, and Head of Kyushu operations).
About Vestar
Vestar refers to one or more of Vestar Capital Partners and its subsidiaries and affiliates. Vestar Capital Partners is a leading international private equity firm specializing in middle-market management buyouts and growth capital investments. The firm's investment strategy is targeted towards companies in the U.S. and Europe with valuations in the $100 million to $5 billion range. Since the firm's founding in 1988, the Vestar funds have completed over 50 investments in the U.S. and Europe in companies with a total value of approximately $17 billion. These companies have varied in size and geography and span a broad range of industries. The firm's strategy is to invest behind incumbent management teams, family owners or corporations in a creative, flexible and entrepreneurial way with the overriding goal to build long-term franchise value. Vestar currently manages funds with committed capital totaling approximately $7 billion and has offices or affiliates operating in New York, Denver, Boston, Paris, Milan, and Tokyo. More information about Vestar is available at http://www.vestarcapital.com.
© 2006 Business Wire
