Sponsor/Strategic consortium - How does it work?

Hi all,

in view of recent deals like for example the CVC/Messer acquisition of some of Linde's American assets, I'm asking myself: How exactly do those Sponsor / Strategic consortiums work out? The general rationale is clear to me, but I wonder especially about the moment of exit. If (in above example) Messer is not big enough now to buy the assets alone and thus does it with the help of a sponsor, what's the probability that they'll be able to afford those assets once the PE will want to leave? Would be thankful for any other examples, maybe somebody can recommend articles about those kinds of deals.

Thanks in advance.