From AP:

PARIS (AP) - Groupe Zodiac, a maker of inflatable boats, said
Wednesday it began discussions with private equity company Carlyle
Group about a possible sale of its Zodiac Marine business to a joint
venture between the two companies.

The transfer of Zodiac Marine would be realized on the basis of an
enterprise value - or market capitalization plus debt - of about 1.01
billion (US$1.4 billion).

If the deal is successful, Carlyle would own 72 percent and Zodiac
would own 28 percent of the holding company of the new group, Zodiac
said in a statement.

The transaction "would allow the Zodiac Group ... to reinforce its
acquisition capabilities in the aerospace sector," said Zodiac Chief
Executive Jean-Louis Gerondeau.

Zodiac said it would use the proceeds of the deal to finance
acquisitions, cut debt, and buy back shares.

Shares in Zodiac rose 4.6 percent to 57.48 (US$77.87) in Paris.

Sheez Chuck... there you go again. Will you ever stop?? This forum is about
boats, not astrology... g

--Mike

"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
ups.com...
From AP:

PARIS (AP) - Groupe Zodiac, a maker of inflatable boats, said
Wednesday it began discussions with private equity company Carlyle
Group about a possible sale of its Zodiac Marine business to a joint
venture between the two companies.

The transfer of Zodiac Marine would be realized on the basis of an
enterprise value - or market capitalization plus debt - of about 1.01
billion (US$1.4 billion).

If the deal is successful, Carlyle would own 72 percent and Zodiac
would own 28 percent of the holding company of the new group, Zodiac
said in a statement.

The transaction "would allow the Zodiac Group ... to reinforce its
acquisition capabilities in the aerospace sector," said Zodiac Chief
Executive Jean-Louis Gerondeau.

Zodiac said it would use the proceeds of the deal to finance
acquisitions, cut debt, and buy back shares.

Shares in Zodiac rose 4.6 percent to 57.48 (US$77.87) in Paris.

Chuck Gould wrote:
From AP:

PARIS (AP) - Groupe Zodiac, a maker of inflatable boats, said
Wednesday it began discussions with private equity company Carlyle
Group about a possible sale of its Zodiac Marine business to a joint
venture between the two companies.

The transfer of Zodiac Marine would be realized on the basis of an
enterprise value - or market capitalization plus debt - of about 1.01
billion (US$1.4 billion).

If the deal is successful, Carlyle would own 72 percent and Zodiac
would own 28 percent of the holding company of the new group, Zodiac
said in a statement.

The transaction "would allow the Zodiac Group ... to reinforce its
acquisition capabilities in the aerospace sector," said Zodiac Chief
Executive Jean-Louis Gerondeau.

Zodiac said it would use the proceeds of the deal to finance
acquisitions, cut debt, and buy back shares.

Shares in Zodiac rose 4.6 percent to 57.48 (US$77.87) in Paris.


I'm glad to see the Saudis will be using their puppets to buy lifeboats...

On 22 Apr 2007 20:06:12 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

From AP:

PARIS (AP) - Groupe Zodiac, a maker of inflatable boats, said
Wednesday it began discussions with private equity company Carlyle
Group about a possible sale of its Zodiac Marine business to a joint
venture between the two companies.

I don't know nuttin' about no Prezidants, but ain't the Californy
Ratiremant Buord done ownes a beeg asssed chunk of that there Karlyle
Group?

On Apr 22, 10:13?pm, "Mike" wrote:
Sheez Chuck... there you go again. Will you ever stop?? This forum is about
boats, not astrology... g

--Mike

"Chuck Gould" wrote in message

ups.com...



From AP:

PARIS (AP) - Groupe Zodiac, a maker of inflatable boats, said
Wednesday it began discussions with private equity company Carlyle
Group about a possible sale of its Zodiac Marine business to a joint
venture between the two companies.

The transfer of Zodiac Marine would be realized on the basis of an
enterprise value - or market capitalization plus debt - of about 1.01
billion (US$1.4 billion).

If the deal is successful, Carlyle would own 72 percent and Zodiac
would own 28 percent of the holding company of the new group, Zodiac
said in a statement.

The transaction "would allow the Zodiac Group ... to reinforce its
acquisition capabilities in the aerospace sector," said Zodiac Chief
Executive Jean-Louis Gerondeau.

Zodiac said it would use the proceeds of the deal to finance
acquisitions, cut debt, and buy back shares.

Shares in Zodiac rose 4.6 percent to 57.48 (US$77.87) in Paris.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

So is my post.

The ownership of a manufacturing compay can influence the type of
boats that will be built in the future, the general quality of the
product, etc. Several people have posted in this forum thay they own a
Zodiac (as do I). Zodiac is certainly one of the top half dozen or so
suppliers of inflatables to the pleasure boat industry.

This particular acquisition is additionally significant because of the
identity of the group purchasing Zodiac. There would be about 100
opportunities to identify some of the movers and shakers at Carlyle,
speculate about upcoming transactions with a particular agency, etc
etc etc etc etc......but it would be hard to go there without
interjecting speculation and (worse) political opinion so I will
settle for simply reporting the facts surrounding the impending change
of ownership of a French (!) company. :-)

On Apr 23, 3:25?am, Harry Krause wrote:
Chuck Gould wrote:
From AP:

PARIS (AP) - Groupe Zodiac, a maker of inflatable boats, said
Wednesday it began discussions with private equity company Carlyle
Group about a possible sale of its Zodiac Marine business to a joint
venture between the two companies.

The transfer of Zodiac Marine would be realized on the basis of an
enterprise value - or market capitalization plus debt - of about 1.01
billion (US$1.4 billion).

If the deal is successful, Carlyle would own 72 percent and Zodiac
would own 28 percent of the holding company of the new group, Zodiac
said in a statement.

The transaction "would allow the Zodiac Group ... to reinforce its
acquisition capabilities in the aerospace sector," said Zodiac Chief
Executive Jean-Louis Gerondeau.

Zodiac said it would use the proceeds of the deal to finance
acquisitions, cut debt, and buy back shares.

Shares in Zodiac rose 4.6 percent to 57.48 (US$77.87) in Paris.

I'm glad to see the Saudis will be using their puppets to buy lifeboats...- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Harry, I'm sure the Saudis could buy lifeboats directly from Zodiac.
Could probably buy Zodiac itself with a couple of days' oil revenue,
if they had a mind to.

Carlyle is probably less interested in buying inflatables for the
Saudis than in selling them. LIke any corporation, Carlyle will look
for an opportunity to sell the largest possible number of inflatable
boats and at the highest possible price. Can't blame them a bit; when
I'm selling something I do the very same thing. If by some stretch of
wild imagination Carlyle were in a position to influence demand as
well as supply, (not to say they are, mind you) that could be very
lucrative- but poor old Martha Stewart went to jail for less.

On Apr 23, 3:46?am, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On 22 Apr 2007 20:06:12 -0700, Chuck Gould

wrote:
From AP:

PARIS (AP) - Groupe Zodiac, a maker of inflatable boats, said
Wednesday it began discussions with private equity company Carlyle
Group about a possible sale of its Zodiac Marine business to a joint
venture between the two companies.

I don't know nuttin' about no Prezidants, but ain't the Californy
Ratiremant Buord done ownes a beeg asssed chunk of that there Karlyle
Group?

Look a bit higher in the food chain.

At least two US Presidents have served on the Board of Directors of
Carlyle, although not when officially in office. After a period of
initial service one was politely asked to resign, but the other served
for over 10 years and continues to accept "contract" work from the
corporation. Many of the more influential stockholders (not
necessarily the holders of the largest number of shares) are names
that would seem familiar to folks who make a habit of watching the
evening news.

In any event, these are the prospective new owners of Zodiac. It will
be interesting to see if the boats remain available to the public or
if they will go strictly mil spec.

Chuck Gould wrote:
On Apr 23, 3:46?am, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On 22 Apr 2007 20:06:12 -0700, Chuck Gould

wrote:
From AP:
PARIS (AP) - Groupe Zodiac, a maker of inflatable boats, said
Wednesday it began discussions with private equity company Carlyle
Group about a possible sale of its Zodiac Marine business to a joint
venture between the two companies.
I don't know nuttin' about no Prezidants, but ain't the Californy
Ratiremant Buord done ownes a beeg asssed chunk of that there Karlyle
Group?

Look a bit higher in the food chain.

At least two US Presidents have served on the Board of Directors of
Carlyle, although not when officially in office. After a period of
initial service one was politely asked to resign, but the other served
for over 10 years and continues to accept "contract" work from the
corporation. Many of the more influential stockholders (not
necessarily the holders of the largest number of shares) are names
that would seem familiar to folks who make a habit of watching the
evening news.

In any event, these are the prospective new owners of Zodiac. It will
be interesting to see if the boats remain available to the public or
if they will go strictly mil spec.



Ah, yes...milspec...to fill the needs of countries perpetually at war,
so that warmongering corporations can make the big bucks off them.

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Chuck Gould wrote:
On Apr 23, 3:46?am, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On 22 Apr 2007 20:06:12 -0700, Chuck Gould

wrote:
From AP:
PARIS (AP) - Groupe Zodiac, a maker of inflatable boats, said
Wednesday it began discussions with private equity company Carlyle
Group about a possible sale of its Zodiac Marine business to a joint
venture between the two companies.
I don't know nuttin' about no Prezidants, but ain't the Californy
Ratiremant Buord done ownes a beeg asssed chunk of that there Karlyle
Group?

Look a bit higher in the food chain.

At least two US Presidents have served on the Board of Directors of
Carlyle, although not when officially in office. After a period of
initial service one was politely asked to resign, but the other served
for over 10 years and continues to accept "contract" work from the
corporation. Many of the more influential stockholders (not
necessarily the holders of the largest number of shares) are names
that would seem familiar to folks who make a habit of watching the
evening news.

In any event, these are the prospective new owners of Zodiac. It will
be interesting to see if the boats remain available to the public or
if they will go strictly mil spec.



Ah, yes...milspec...to fill the needs of countries perpetually at war, so
that warmongering corporations can make the big bucks off them.

I think all they really do is add the word "tactical" to the description,
and make everything black. Tactical toothbrush, tactical vegetable peeler,
etc.

Carlyle might also be itn it just to pump the co. (zodiac) up, make it
more attractive, then flip the Zodiac co (or name) to somebody else
for a huge profit.



Chuck Gould wrote:
On Apr 23, 3:46?am, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On 22 Apr 2007 20:06:12 -0700, Chuck Gould

wrote:
From AP:

PARIS (AP) - Groupe Zodiac, a maker of inflatable boats, said
Wednesday it began discussions with private equity company Carlyle
Group about a possible sale of its Zodiac Marine business to a joint
venture between the two companies.

I don't know nuttin' about no Prezidants, but ain't the Californy
Ratiremant Buord done ownes a beeg asssed chunk of that there Karlyle
Group?

Look a bit higher in the food chain.

At least two US Presidents have served on the Board of Directors of
Carlyle, although not when officially in office. After a period of
initial service one was politely asked to resign, but the other served
for over 10 years and continues to accept "contract" work from the
corporation. Many of the more influential stockholders (not
necessarily the holders of the largest number of shares) are names
that would seem familiar to folks who make a habit of watching the
evening news.

In any event, these are the prospective new owners of Zodiac. It will
be interesting to see if the boats remain available to the public or
if they will go strictly mil spec.