Iris Dorbian

Ardian has agreed to sell its minority stake in Groupe Charlois to management and Intermediate Capital Group. No financial terms were disclosed. Groupe Charlois is a French cooperage specializing in oak for the production of wines and spirits.

Darby Private Equity, the private equity arm of Franklin Templeton Investments, has named Michael Wallace as managing director of marketing and investor relations. Prior to joining Darby, Wallace worked at Pinnacle Trust Partners LLC where he served as a managing director.

Permira has sold Arysta LifeScience Limited to Platform Specialty Products Corp for about $3.51 billion. Arysta is a crop protection and life science company.

Industrial Opportunity Partners has made an undisclosed investment in Monroe Truck Equipment Inc. The transaction was done with Monroe's current management team and owners. Business Credit, Fifth Third Bank and Norwest Mezzanine Partners provided funding for the deal. Based in Monroe, Wisconsin, Monroe is a maker and distributor of truck equipment for the municipal and commercial sectors.

Actis has formed a $1.9 billion joint venture with wind and solar developer Mainstream Renewable Power to launch Lekela Power, a Pan-African renewable energy platform. Lekea will be financed over a three-year period through equity and debt funding.

An investor group led by Lakewood Capital has acquired floor care equipment provider Vacuum Systems International Inc. No financial terms were disclosed. Canal Holdings LLC provided about $3 million in debt to back the transaction.