The president of the rotomolded components manufacturer, which specializes in plastic processing, is acquiring a majority stake with the backing of a group of financial investors comprising new investor Altur Investissement, along with existing shareholders BNP Paribas Développement and Unexo.
CFNEWS article by Jean-Philippe Mas, published on March 17, 2022, at 10:51 a.m.
EMP Rotomoulage plans to increase its production capacity through a new shareholder restructuring. In 2018, the manufacturer of rotomolded plastic components appointed William Digne as its new CEO, succeeding the founder’s two sons, Cyril and Samuel Delamaire. The MBI brought several financial investors on board, including lead investor Amundi PEF, NCI, Unexo, and BNP Paribas Développement, which collectively acquired a majority stake.
Nearly four years later, G2 Invest, the CEO’s long-standing financial advisor, organized a competitive bidding process involving a select group of financial investors. Altur Investissement emerged as the winner and became the company’s new reference minority shareholder. The listed investment firm invested at the upper end of its €1 million to €5 million target range.
The transaction also enables William Digne to increase his stake and become the majority shareholder. The investor pool is rounded out by existing shareholders BNP Paribas Développement and Unexo, which are reinvesting part of their sale proceeds.
The senior debt financing the transaction is being provided by the company’s long-standing banking partners, LCL, CIC Ouest, and Crédit Agricole Ille-et-Vilaine, acting as arrangers, with BNP Paribas and Banque Populaire Grand Ouest also participating.
A new facility in the coming months
Based in Dol-de-Bretagne, in the Ille-et-Vilaine department, and employing around 70 people, EMP Rotomoulage specializes in the development and production of custom rotomolded components. The company manufactures more than 130,000 parts a year, processing over 2,300 tonnes of polyethylene. Its products, which are 100% recyclable, are supplied to the agri-food, landscaping, containment, and environmental sectors.
Last year, the Breton company generated €15 million in sales, compared with €12 million when Amundi PEF, NCI, Unexo, and BNP Paribas Développement invested. “Our investment thesis is primarily based on the proven ability of William Digne and the entire team to grow the business. To that end, the ongoing expansion of EMP Rotomoulage’s production capacity will enable the company to grow its business with existing customers while also strengthening its sales force,” explains Bertrand Cavalié, Investment Director at Altur Investissement.
