The Carlyle Group Acquires a 30% Stake in General Lighting Company, Saudi Arabia’s Largest Lighting Fixture Manufacturer

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Global private equity firm The Carlyle Group today announced it has acquired a 30% stake in General Lighting Company (“GLC”), Saudi Arabia’s largest lighting fixtures manufacturer and supplier. The transaction closed on March 29, 2010.

Abdullah Al-Hobayb, Chairman and co-owner of GLC, said, "We are exceptionally proud of GLC’s achievements to date and believe Carlyle's institutional support will facilitate our plans for expansion and further enhance the world class products and services we provide."

Walid Musallam, Carlyle Managing Director and Head of Carlyle MENA, said, "GLC is the uncontested, leading lighting provider in the Middle East whose market position and strong brands have been built on decades of performance and positive working relationships. We are delighted to have made our first investment in Saudi Arabia and second in the MENA region in just three months, and look forward to supporting GLC in achieving its expansion ambitions.”

GLC manufactures a broad range of indoor, outdoor, and industrial lighting products. In addition GLC represents leading international lighting brands, and provides complete lighting solutions to its clients. GLC is a leader in the lighting industry in the Middle East supplying products to institutions in the private as well as the public sectors.

Firas Nasir, Managing Director responsible for GCC investments within Carlyle MENA Partners, said, " We look forward to applying Carlyle’s post-transaction expertise to help create value at GLC. Having completed over 900 international investments in the past 22 years, Carlyle can be an effective partner for family groups within the Kingdom and throughout the Gulf.”

Equity for this investment, Carlyle's third in the MENA region, will come from Carlyle MENA Partners, a growth capital and buyout fund that closed in March 2009. This is the fund’s second investment in three months following the investment in Medical Park, Turkey’s second largest healthcare group, in December 2009. The fund has offices in Istanbul, Dubai and Cairo.

Carlyle’s investment in GLC underscores the firm’s commitment to developing markets. Carlyle has made 118 investments in Asia to date, including 45 in China and 22 in India. This year, the firm has formed strategic relationships with the Municipal Government in Beijing and Fosun Group in Shanghai on the formation of RMB funds, and completed its first deal in Brazil in January 2010 with CVC, Latin America’s Largest Tour Operator.

Bank Audi provided financing for this transaction.

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