A Carlyle-led consortium including Yunfeng Capital has closed the acquisition of an approximately 80 percent stake in digital cinema server manufacturer GDC Technology. Carlyle Asia Growth Partners IV a $1 billion fund targeting high-growth companies led the investment. Dr. Man-Nang Chong founder of GDC Tech will continue to lead the company as CEO and remain a significant shareholder. The new shareholder will continue to support GDC Tech’s growth strategy and accelerate its penetration of digital movie screens in Asia and around the world. Further details of the transaction were not disclosed. Dr. Man-Nang Chong in Hong Kong founded GDC Tech 12 years ago; it has since developed into a global player with its products and systems distributed to more than 20 countries globally and an established presence in the U.S. China Europe Singapore Japan and Hong Kong. With more than 11 000 installed servers as of September GDC Tech ranks second globally based on publicly disclosed installed servers worldwide. Emerging markets led by China are expected to experience the fastest growth in digital movie theatres with faster adoption of new movie technologies faster upgrade and shorter replacement cycles outpacing the rate of digitalization in most developed markets. According to a recent study by Entgroup Consulting an entertainment research group China’s cinema digitalization level is as high as 70 percent. GDC Tech believes it is well positioned to further capture this exponential growth in cinema digitalization. GDC Tech believes it is China’s largest digital cinema server provider with more than 4 500 installed servers representing a 54 percent market share and Asia’s largest player based on its more than 6 800 installed servers. “We are honored to join the Carlyle family ” says Chong founder and CEO of GDC Tech. “Carlyle’s investment will accelerate our global market expansion and further enhance our customer network. Carlyle has a strong presence in the media and technology sector. We will be able to leverage its resources and relationships to further expand our business strengthen our R&D efforts grow in new markets and develop partnership and business opportunities with and beyond Carlyle’s current portfolio of companies.” Wayne Tsou managing director and head of Carlyle Asia Growth Capital group says “GDC Tech’s sustained development market leadership and strong management team inspired our confidence in the company’s adaptable expansion model and high growth potential. We are excited to play an enabling role in the global cinema digitalization by supporting GDC Tech and Dr. Chong. We look forward to contributing our experience in the media sector and Carlyle’s global network of relationships to accelerate the growth of the company.” Carlyle Group www.carlyle.com GDC Technology www.gdc-tech.com
