TPG Growth Asia is part of a bid to acquire Chinese cable-maker Fushi Copperweld Inc. (Nasdaq: FSIN) for $363 million, or $9.50 per share (27.3% premium to Wednesday’s closing price). The consortium also includes Abax Global Capital and Fushi Copperworld chairman and co-CEO Li Fu. www.fushicopperweld.com
Alibaba Group and Softbank Corp. have hired Washington, D.C. lobbying firm Duberstein Group, according to a federal disclosure form. The two companies recently offered to buy back shares in Alibaba and Yahoo Japan, respectively, from Yahoo. If that offer is rejected, the companies are expected to launch a bid for all of Yahoo, in partnership with U.S. private equity firms.
Peninsula Packaging Co., a portfolio company of Odyssey Investment Partners, has acquired the agricultural thermoforming division of Berkley Operations LLC. No financial terms were disclosed.www.penpack.net
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28
Unison Capital has agreed to acquire a 62.4% stake in Asahi Tech, a Japanese maker of iron castings for the automobile industry, from RHJ International for just over $182 million. Unison then plans to launch a tender offer for the remaining shares.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27
Apax Partners has agreed to acquire Orange Switzerland from France Telecom for approximately €1.6 billion. Orange Switzerland reported 2010 revenue of €1.1 billion, and employs around 1,200 people.www.apax.com
Freeman Spogli & Co. has acquired daytime cafe chain First Watch Restaurants from Catterton Partnersfor an undisclosed amount. Fortune first reported on the deal two weeks ago, based on an FTC filing. First Watch operates over 100 locations in 13 states. It also has several franchised locations.www.firstwatch.com
Gryphon Investors has acquired a majority stake in K&N Engineering, a Riverside, Calif.–based provider of air and oil filtration products for the automobile industry. No financial terms were disclosed.www.knfilters.com