MAUSER AG today announced that One Equity Partners LLC (OEP) has agreed to sell its stake in MAUSER AG to Dubai International Capital LLC (’DIC’), the international investment arm of Dubai Holding. DIC will further support the existing strategy pursued by the management. Its focus will remain on further growth, especially into Asia. The transaction values MAUSER at EUR 850 million.

Stefan Müller-Arends, CEO of MAUSER AG, said: “This transaction is a win-win situation for all participants. MAUSER secures a solid long-term investor that gives us the right backing to continue our successful growth strategy”.In May 2003, OEP, an investment subsidiary of JP Morgan Chase & Company, Inc., acquired the industrial packaging specialist MAUSER and supported the company’s rapid development. Since the investment of OEP, the company’s annual revenues have grown from around EUR 250 million to roughly EUR 1 billion expected for 2007. Today MAUSER is a world market leader in industrial packaging with approximately 3,700 employees operating in more than 50 locations across Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia.

At the end of 2006, MAUSER acquired the industrial packaging business of Brazilian manufacturer Metalْrgica Barra do Pirai S.A., and extended its reach to Latin America. This transaction reflects the company’s latest significant step towards growth and internationalization.

Sameer Al Ansari, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DIC, said: “We are very pleased with today’s announcement. As responsible long-term investors, we believe that this is an excellent deal for both MAUSER and DIC, and we will continue to back its successful growth strategy. It is in line with DIC’s strategy that involves backing incumbent management and investing in the businesses we acquire. There is also plenty of opportunity through growth, consolidation and integration benefits for MAUSER’s markets.

Acquiring MAUSER is another important phase of expanding DIC’s European and international portfolio of diverse assets which varies from the entertainment sector, to automotive, industrials and hotels. Looking ahead, DIC is an investor that has considerable resources at our disposal, with over US$ 6bn of assets under management both internationally and in Europe.”

JPMorgan is acting as M&A advisor to OEP and BNP Paribas to DIC in this transaction.

The sale and purchase agreement is conditional upon receipt of all appropriate anti trust approvals.