
Equistone buys Sicame from Siparex
Groupe Sicame, a French energy transport network specialist backed by VC Siparex since the 1990s, has been sold to new majority owner Equistone Partners.
According to Siparex, the Sicame exit resulted in a return above the 2x mark with regards to its latest investment in the business.
Equistone Partners secured a majority stake in Sicame. The asset is familiar to the buyer, which already owned a 20% holding since a €40m round alongside CEO Pierre François, the management team and existing backers in December 2009.
Siparex had been a shareholder in Sicame since the 1990s, when it supported the company's transition from a small to a medium-sized business. Having reportedly tripled in size by 2010, the business then dedicated the funds raised in December 2009 to a build-up spree, leading to more than 10 bolt-ons outside France.
The exit is the latest to be announced by Siparex in 2015. The last few months have seen the firm sell its stakes in swimming pool designer Lermite, outdoor lighting case specialist Sogexi, medical supplies business Tetra Medical and intermediation software developer DSO Interactive.
Company
Founded in 1955, Groupe Sicame designs equipment used for the maintenance of electric, public lighting and telecommunications networks, industrial connector products and tools for electricians and manufacturers.
Headquartered in Pompadour, the business employs 2,500 people worldwide and most recently posted €350m in revenues, two thirds of which came from its operations abroad.
People
The work of Siparex on the deal was led by Benoît Métais, who is part of the VC's executive board.
Latest News
Stonehage Fleming raises USD 130m for largest fund to date, eyes 2024 programme
Multi-family office has seen strong appetite, with investor base growing since 2016 to more than 90 family offices, Meiping Yap told Unquote
Permira to take Ergomed private for GBP 703m
Sponsor deploys Permira VIII to ride new wave of take-privates; Blackstone commits GBP 200m in financing for UK-based CRO
Partners Group to release IMs for Civica sale in mid-September
Sponsor acquired the public software group in July 2017 via the same-year vintage Partners Group Global Value 2017
Change of mind: Sponsors take to de-listing their own assets
EQT and Cinven seen as bellweather for funds to reassess options for listed assets trading underwater