Greentech Capital Advisors Expands its Global Reach with European Office in Zurich and Announcement of Two European Transactions; M&A Executive Damien Sauer Joins as Partner and Michael Naylor and Thomas Putter Join Advisory Council

ZURICH and NEW YORK, March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Greentech Capital Advisors, a specialist investment banking firm serving companies transforming the world's energy, industrial and resources infrastructure, today announced the next step in its strategic expansion by opening its European office in Zurich, Switzerland, and hiring M&A executive Damien Sauer as Partner.

The firm also announced two European M&A transactions last week, having served as the financial advisor to European-based companies in the power technology and biomass sectors.  

Greentech Capital Advisors advised Zurich-based ABB, a global leader in power and automation technology, in its minority investment in Novatec Solar, a leading Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) technology provider in Karlsruhe, Germany.  The firm also served as the financial advisor to agri.capital Group S.A., a leading biogas and biomethane company in Europe, in its sale of a majority interest to Alinda Capital Partners, the largest independent infrastructure investment firm in the United States.  Greentech Capital Advisors' sector expertise, direct relationship network and M&A transaction execution experience provided its clients with highly specific, tailored solutions.

The firm has closed 10 transactions within the last two years, with a greater number currently in execution.

Damien Sauer comes to Greentech Capital Advisors from AREVA, a world leader in the nuclear and clean energy industries, where he was head of M&A.  During his tenure, Mr. Sauer completed over 20 transactions in the nuclear, transmission and distribution, and cleantech sectors with a total value of over US$8 billion.

At Greentech Capital Advisors, Mr. Sauer will provide M&A and strategic advisory services to sector-leading companies, as well as raise expansion capital for private companies and project developers. He will work alongside Olav A. Junttila, also a Partner, and a team of investment banking professionals with extensive advisory and clean technology experience.

"Becoming a Partner at Greentech Capital Advisors enables me to leverage my expertise and network within the European market to work with global companies that are creating a more efficient and sustainable infrastructure," says Mr. Sauer. "With offices in Zurich, New York and San Francisco, and the largest team of bankers dedicated to these sectors, we provide our clients with the global network and market knowledge they need to achieve their growth targets."

In addition, Michael Naylor and Thomas Putter have joined the firm as Advisory Council members and will provide strategic direction and oversight as Greentech Capital Advisors grows its presence in Europe.

Mr. Naylor is an advisor to some of the world's most recognized sustainable energy leadership teams and consults widely in Europe, Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.  He has been a board member and early stage investor in a number of successful European cleantech and renewable energy businesses.

Mr. Putter was the CEO of Allianz Capital Partners from 1998 to 2009 and Chairman until July 2010.  He has a long history of investing in private equity, including renewable projects and companies, and sits on the board of a major agricultural company.  Prior to joining Allianz, Mr. Putter was an Executive Director at Goldman Sachs International based in London.

"Michael and Thomas are a solid fit with the other notable members of our Advisory Council and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them," says Jeffrey A. McDermott, Managing Partner.  "Their guidance on our strategy, market and technology developments, and network expansion is of tremendous value to our firm."

"Power, energy and industrial companies, such as ABB and agri.capital, see the tremendous growth opportunities created by the need for a more efficient and sustainable infrastructure," says McDermott.  "With more people with more expertise, we are purpose-built to deliver enhanced success to our clients."  

About Greentech Capital Advisors

Greentech Capital Advisors is a specialist investment banking firm serving companies transforming the world's power, industrial, and resource infrastructure. The firm provides financial advisory services – such as M&A, exclusive sale transactions, restructurings, private placements and project finance – to the global corporations and emerging growth companies that are driving the transition to a clean growth economy. Through its offices in New York, Zurich and San Francisco, the firm's professionals maintain an extensive global network of direct relationships. With more expertise and more deal experience in the clean technology space, Greentech Capital Advisors offers clients tailored solutions designed to meet their needs.

SOURCE Greentech Capital Advisors