European Capital Invests euro 14 Million in Tokheim, Leading European Supplier of Retail Fuel Systems

Paris (ots/PRNewswire) - European Capital, S.A. SICAR announced
today it has invested euro 14 million (US$16.7 million) in the
mezzanine and second lien facilities of Tokheim SAS, the leading
European supplier of retail fuel systems. European Capital's
investment represents a share of the mezzanine facility and the
majority of the second lien facility arranged by BNP Paribas,
supporting the acquisition of Tokheim by Electra Partners Europe.
European Capital will be the representative Agent of the second lien
facility. Tokheim's management is maintaining a significant equity
investment.

"We are pleased to work again with BNP Paribas and also work for
the first time with Electra Partners Europe, a leading private equity
firm in the European middle market," said Ira Wagner, President of
European Capital Financial Services Limited ("European Capital
Services"), the investment sub manager of European Capital.
"Tokheim's compelling business model, strong cash flows, and
recurring revenue base make it an excellent addition to European
Capital's growing portfolio of investments."

European Capital has invested approximately euro 253 million
(US$300 million) in 12 companies since its formation in August of
2005. For more information about European Capital, go to
http://www.EuropeanCapital.com.

"Tokheim's unique brand presence as the only one-stop shop in the
European fuel retail systems and services market enables it to hold
leading positions in its core markets with particularly strong
positions in France, Benelux, Spain and Portugal," said Jean
Eichenlaub, European Capital Managing Director. "The Company's
competitive advantages include a large installed base of equipment,
longstanding relationships with a diverse customer base and extensive
geographical coverage enabling rapid service and response."

"Tokheim's competitive advantages, coupled with high barriers to
entry, bode well for the Company as it capitalizes on opportunities
in emerging markets," said Olivia Reveilliez, European Capital
Manager. "In addition, Tokheim is well-positioned to expand further
into stable underlying markets in its core countries driven by new
environmental regulations."

Founded in 1901, Tokheim designs and assembles fuel dispensing
systems and electronic data and payment automation systems for the
European fuel retail systems and services market. Tokheim is the only
player in the industry offering one-stop shop solutions, including
installation, maintenance, construction and refurbishment services.
The Company's products and services are sold to over 350 customers,
including major oil companies, national oil companies, hypermarkets
and independent distributors. Customers include Esso, Total, Shell,
Intermarche, Carrefour and BP. Tokheim has over 3,200 employees
through 22 wholly-owned sales and services subsidiaries in Europe,
Asia and Africa. For the fiscal year ended April 2005, the Company
had sales of euro 360 million (US$428 million).

"Offering European Capital the opportunity to take a significant
stake in the subordinated debt of an international group with a well
established track record was a natural choice when the syndication
strategy was defined," said Myriam Frileux-Gaussier of BNP-Paribas.

"European Capital has proven its ability to work quickly and
diligently to complete a transaction and deliver on its commitments,"
said Patrick Eisenchteter, Partner, Electra Partners Europe. "We're
delighted to partner with them and look forward to working with them
in future investments."

ABOUT EUROPEAN CAPITAL

European Capital is a buyout and mezzanine fund with capital
resources of euro 750 million. European Capital invests in and
sponsors management and employee buyouts, invests in private equity
buyouts and provides capital directly to private and mid-sized public
companies. European Capital invests from euro 5 million to euro 125
million per transaction in equity, mezzanine debt and senior debt to
fund growth, acquisitions and recapitalizations.

Companies interested in learning more about European Capital's
flexible financing should contact Jean Eichenlaub at + 33 (0)1 40 68
06 66 in Paris, or Nathalie Faure Beaulieu or Simon Henderson at +44
(0)207 539 7000 in London, or visit the website at
http://www.EuropeanCapital.com.

ABOUT AMERICAN CAPITAL

American Capital Strategies, Ltd. (Nasdaq: ACAS) is a publicly
traded buyout and mezzanine fund with capital resources of
approximately US$7 billion. American Capital invests in and sponsors
management and employee buyouts, invests in private equity buyouts,
provides capital directly to early stage and mature private and small
public companies and through its asset management business is a
manager of debt and equity investments in private companies and
commercial loan obligations. American Capital provides senior debt,
mezzanine debt and equity to fund growth, acquisitions,
recapitalizations and securitizations. American Capital invests up to
US$300 million per transaction.

ABOUT ELECTRA PARTNERS EUROPE

Electra Partners Europe is a leading independent investor in
European mid-market private equity. Electra specializes in European
management buy-outs, buy-ins, public to privates, restructurings and
complex situations. Their team of 25 private equity professionals
operates out of London, Paris and Frankfurt. Electra prefers to
invest in companies with enterprise values between euro 100 million
and euro 500 million, with a particular focus on Support Services,
Consumer, Healthcare, Industrial and Financial Services. Electra
manages two funds representing a total commitment of euro 2.3
billion, and has invested in 17 transactions since 2000. In addition
to Tokheim, Electra's portfolio companies include: CPI, Europe's
leading monochrome book manufacturer; KSM Castings (formerly
ThyssenKrupp Fahrzeugguss), a leading supplier of safety-critical and
high specification aluminium parts to major global customers
including Volkswagen, Daimler Chrysler, BMW, Ford and Porsche; and
Global Solutions Limited, a leading provider of outsourced support
services, including custodial services, public services and business
services, to public authorities and corporate organizations
worldwide.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. The
statements regarding expected results of American Capital Strategies
are subject to various factors and uncertainties, including the
uncertainties associated with the timing of transaction closings,
changes in interest rates, availability of transactions, changes in
regional, national or international economic conditions, or changes
in the conditions of the industries in which American Capital has
made investments.

Web site: http://www.EuropeanCapital.com
http://www.americancapital.com

ots Originaltext: European Capital
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Jean Eichenlaub, Managing Director, +33(0)1-40-68-06-66, or Olivia
Reveilliez, Manager, +33(0)1-40-68-06-66, or Brian Maney, Director,
Corporate Communications, +1-301-951-6122, all of European Capital


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