European Capital Invests EUR 12 Million in Cegelec, Leading International Engineering Group

Paris (ots/PRNewswire) -

European Capital, S.A. SICAR announced today it has invested EUR
12 million (US$15 million) in the EUR 120 million mezzanine facility
of Cegelec, a leading international engineering group providing
electrical contracting services for industrial, infrastructure and
non-residential building projects. Senior and mezzanine facilities
were arranged by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc. and Calyon Corporate
and Investment Bank in support of LBO France's EUR 1.08 billion
acquisition of Cegelec.

"We are delighted to partner with LBO France, a highly regarded
European private equity firm, and support their acquisition of
Cegelec. European Capital opened its Paris office one year ago and
our quickly growing reputation in the European middle market has
allowed us to participate in attractive investment opportunities with
premier European equity partners and expand our investments into a
variety of industry sectors," said Ira Wagner, President of European
Capital Financial Services Limited, ("European Capital Services"),
the sub-investment manager of European Capital. "Cegelec's excellent
diversification of revenues by end-markets, geography and customers,
and recurring revenues and stable cash flows, make it a great
addition to European Capital's expanding and diversified portfolio of
investments."

European Capital has invested EUR 498 million (US$644 million) in
21 companies since its formation in August of 2005. For more
information about European Capital's portfolio, go to
http://www.europeancapital.com/our_portfolio/our_portfolio.cfm.

"We are looking forward to supporting the growth of Cegelec, an
international leader in technical electrical contracting, backed by a
committed and proven management team," said Jean Eichenlaub, European
Capital Managing Director. "Cegelec's leading market position is a
result of its strong reputation, expertise in niche markets,
expertise in large, highly technical industrial and infrastructure
projects, and widespread network, which enables it to be close to its
clients' sites. These attributes will serve the Company well in its
future growth plans."

Founded in 1913, Cegelec provides technical contracting services,
including electrical contracting, which covers automation,
instrumentation and control, electrical and telecom installation and
maintenance, and heating ventilation and air-conditioning services.
Cegelec operates in 30 countries and holds strong market shares in
France, Germany, Benelux and Morocco. Cegelec has world headquarters
in Brussels and approximately 24,000 full time employees.

ABOUT EUROPEAN CAPITAL

European Capital is a buyout and mezzanine fund with capital
resources of EUR 1.1 billion (US$1.3 billion). 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 EUR 5
million to EUR 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)20-7539-7000 in London, or visit the website at
http://www.EuropeanCapital.com.

ABOUT AMERICAN CAPITAL

American Capital Strategies Ltd. (Nasdaq: ACAS), an affiliate of
European Capital, is a publicly traded buyout and mezzanine fund with
capital resources of approximately US$7.7 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. 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
company.

ABOUT LBO FRANCE

Established in 1985, Paris headquartered LBO France is an
independent private equity firm. Since its inception, the private
equity firm has invested in more than 60 companies for a total
cumulative enterprise value of EUR 10 billion. LBO France has over
EUR 1.5 billion under management. LBO France has completed some of
the largest buyouts in France including Actaris, a leading
manufacturer and designer of water, power and gas metering systems,
Nexity, a property development firm, and Terreal, a manufacturer of
clay tiles and bricks. European Capital's London office supported LBO
France's November 2005 acquisition of Terreal.

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.

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

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