Hong Kong's Catalyst CEL Fund and Swiss manufacturer Lamina Technologies have entered into a series of definitive agreements under which the Fund will invest about US$42 million in Lamina, consisting of US$10 million of new capital to fuel global expansion and up to US$32 million to be distributed to Lamina's existing shareholders.

Through this transaction, Catalyst CEL will have a controlling stake in Lamina in partnership with Lamina's current management team, led by Peleg and Yuval Amir, who co-founded the company in 2001. The Amirs will remain in their leadership position, and will collectively be the second largest group of shareholders in Lamina. Additional financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Lamina is a manufacturer of precision carbide metal cutting tools, specializing in milling and turning inserts made of sub-micron grades and PVD coatings. End users of its products include metalworking and machinery manufacturers and suppliers across a diverse array of industries, including the general engineering, aerospace, defense, automotive, transportation, die and mold, machine tool, light machinery, heavy machinery and other sectors.

Lamina has extensive know-how in sub-micron powder technology, state of the art PVD coating, advanced materials and application development delivering industry leading technology, optimal productivity and peak performance and longer tool life in demanding environments. it is headquartered in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, and has diversified global sales and has offices in Europe, the Pacific Rim, China, Japan and North America.

Shengyan Fan, managing partner of Catalyst CEL, noted: "Lamina is well positioned for China's macro developments and the ongoing domestic technological upgrade as China is a key market with significant room for growth."