Barclays Private Equity makes its third investment in France in 12 months by purchasing a stake in the Aurenis Group

Barclays Private Equity has acquired a minority stake in Aurenis, alongside the existing equity shareholders for an undisclosed sum.  

This transaction represents the third investment made by Barclays Private Equity in France during the last 12 months, following the MBO of La Toulousaine, a manufacturer of commercial metallic gates and curtains, in June 2010 and a minority stake in Sicame Group, a manufacturer of electrical products, in December 2009.

The Aurenis Group is one of the principle players in the publication of partworks, books and magazines released as a set, sold through retail outlets or via subscription. It has also established itself as a leading service provider for foreign publishers in the French market, operating across 34 countries world-wide and publishing in 20 languages.  

LFPI, the former investment fund of investment bank Lazard, completed an MBO of Aurenis in June 2010, alongside the founder managers of Aurenis, Olivier Beressi and Georges Bensoussan, senior executives of the Group and Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners.  

Despite the tough economic conditions, Aurenis has demonstrated strong performance with a 19% increase in sales to €173m.  The Group employs around 1,000 employees.