Over the last decade, 3i’s investment approach has evolved. Instead of acquiring a large number of relatively small holdings, we’ve focused on fewer, bigger deals.  To recognise this evolution, we formed a dedicated team in 2000 specifically to manage our long standing portfolio of smaller minority investments.

These holdings give us a stake in more than 90 British and German companies, operating in a wide range of businesses, from technology to construction.  With a combined market value of €300m the portfolio includes many substantial successful companies that offer significant opportunities for growth and development.

We’ve worked with many of the businesses’ management teams for more than ten years and tailor our contribution to reflect each company’s profile.  The support we provide takes a variety of shapes:

• Helping to evolve the ownership structure.  JP Corry and MKM are two building companies that we partnered for many years.  In 2006, we helped JP Corry identify the giant Saint-Gobain Group as a potential new home and took part in the negotiations that led to our eventual exit.  Meanwhile, our understanding of the favourable outlook for MKM led us to invest a further €31m to enable the departure of two co-founders and fund future growth.
• Supporting client acquisition and product development.  Control Risks Group is a business risk consultancy, headquartered in London, with a presence on every continent.  We invested in this attractive and growing company in 1995 and now hold an 18% stake in a business with an annual turnover of €150m.  We’ve used our international network to introduce new clients and are actively supporting Control Risk as it broadens its range of services.
• Partnering productivity initiatives.  Our relationship with Bisley Office Furniture began in 1967, when we acquired a 25% shareholding.  The company is Europe’s leading maker of steel storage systems for office use.  We’re working with Bisley as it boosts productivity and profit margins by implementing a range of cost savings and efficiency measures.