US PE agency Arsenalcapital enters China to set up Shanghai office

Arsenal Capital, a leading private-equity firm based in New York, which invests in intermediary markets for specialty industries, healthcare and financial services, announced today that it has set up an office in Shanghai, China, to provide more strategic advice to its current and future portfolio companies. Local and regional support as well as broader partnerships to improve growth opportunities and productivity. Arsenal has appointed Steve Xiaohu (formerly an Arch Thor, Inc. (NYSE:ARJ) executive) to be the first employee of his new office. He will assist the company in establishing its first full-time office in mainland China. Arsenal's office will be located in the Shanghai Financial district of Kerry Building. Jeffrey Kovach, managing director of Arsenal Capital, said: "Through a number of Chinese subsidiaries and joint ventures with our existing portfolio companies, Arsenal has accumulated considerable experience in the region in building low-cost manufacturing plants, acquiring manufacturing inputs and expanding market access." By leveraging these experiences and broadening our resources with local offices in China, we will further assist our portfolio companies to benefit from the current economic globalization and the growing importance of China and Asia. "After the departure of Arch Thor, Dr. Li joined Arsenal as a person in charge of overseeing China's offices and employees and dramatically expanding the company's territory in the region." "We believe that our unique strategic views and capabilities will become more important in this competitive and market-globalization trend," says Mr Kovach. Referring to Dr Li's appointment, Mr Kovach added: "Arsenal has conducted extensive searches in order to find a professional who understands the prospects of China's business, and Steve has both technical expertise, local relationships and excellent integrated management skills." This will help Arsenal strengthen our portfolio in China's capabilities. We are delighted that Steve is willing to join Arsenal to participate in this strategic expansion of our company. In addition to its extraordinary ability to synthesize itself, Steve will coordinate Arsenal's existing network in the region and take full advantage of Arsenal's operating partners ' extensive experience in China and Asia. "Dr. Li has worked in arch Thor for 7 years, recently as Regional Director for Asia Pacific and president of Arch China, leading arch's Asia-Pacific Division and business, including China, Japan, Korea, Australia and Southeast Asia. Before joining Arch in 2000, he worked as a department manager at Bayer Polyurethanes (formerly Lyondell Singapore) and in the United StatesOstik Inc. and Century Analysys Adhesives & Coatings Corp. Dr. Li received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Nanjing University in China, and a Ph. D. In chemistry from Vanderbilt University (Vanderbilt University). He also received a Bachelor of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Louisville (University of Louisville) in Singapore. Dr Li said: "I am attracted by Arsenal's successful record of formal investment, systematic value creation and a diverse team of professionals." The forward-looking approach to investment, which arsenal the establishment of an office in China, will provide a unique way for its portfolio companies to access a wide range of opportunities in the market. ”