US investment banker eyes Indian m-caps

US-based investment banker RSM EquiCo, the third largest investment banker in the middle-sized mergers and acquisitions (M&As) space, is visiting India to scout for similar opportunities.

It struck its first deal in the Indian mergers and acquisitions space nearly two months back when the domestic machine tool company, Batliboi acquired Canadian Quickmill for Rs 22 crore.

“The middle-sized companies in India have an excellent opportunity to expand, by acquiring businesses outside. What I observe is, they have a great appetite for growth and we are offering them an opportunity to partner similar-sized global firms,” Hector J Ceullar, president, RSM EquiCo Capital Markets said.

The investment banker is bullish on the energy, healthcare and financial services sectors and is meeting nearly 15-20 companies with investment proposals.

Last year, M&A deals worth $20 billion took place in the country. Acquisitions worth $5 billion were purely domestic while the remaining $15 billion were cross-over deals, of which $10 billion was outbound.

Read more in The Business Standard article.

Batliboi acquires Canada's Quickmill

On an expansion spree in the North American market, Mumbai-based machine tool and engineering company, Batliboi Ltd has acquired Canadian firm Quickmill Inc to leverage on the latter's distribution network and research and development capabilities.

The 100 per cent equity acquisition deal is estimated at Rs 22 crore and is the first foray by Batliboi into the mergers and acquisition space.

Batliboi primarily manufactures machine tools, specialised machines, textile air engineering machines and air conditioners at its Surat and Bangalore facilities. The company's clients include textile manufacturers, automobile manufacturers like TVS, Honda, Mahindra and Mahindra and power makers like BHEL besides hotels which use its air conditioners and refrigerators.