Deals this week: Branford Castle Partners, Unilever NV

Branford Castle Partners has acquired Earthlite Massage Tables, a health and wellness equipment manufacturer based in California.

Earthlite Massage is a leading producer and distributor of massage tables and owns six proprietary brands of the product. The company will continue to be led by its existing management team according to the deal's terms.

Unilever NV will raise $550m by issuing five-year senior notes through its debt-issuing vehicle Unilever Capital Corporation.

The Netherlands-based fast moving consumer goods company will issue the senior notes in a public offering that is expected to be completed by 28 July. The notes have been priced at 99.204% of the principal amount and bear an interest rate of 1.375% a year.

The company had earlier placed senior notes due 2026 in a public offering to raise $700m. The notes have an interest rate of 2% payable semi-annually. The transaction is expected to be closed by 28 July.