Apax Partners, the private equity firm has bought 52% of Amsterdam-based publishers PCM Uitgevers for an estimated €720m ($880.6m) in a closely fought battle with rival private equity firms Candover and Warburg Pincus.

Neither side would comment on an estimated purchase price of €720m, but PCM said the price battle had been very close, with rival private equity firms Candover and Warburg Pincus just missing out. A total of 14 expressed interest in the group. Apax was granted exclusivity in April.