EQT Northern Europe, the Swedish private equity fund set up by Investor AB, has acquired Leybold Optics, a specialist machinery manufacturer, for €166m ($149m), marking EQT's first takeover deal in Germany.

Leybold Optics produces vacuum coating equipment for optical components, and is expected to generate revenues of around €150m in 2001. The purchase price includes an equity share for the management of Leybold Optics. EQT plans to publicly offer the firm in four to five years.