Equistone becomes majority shareholder in the Sicame group

Equistone Partners Europe’s Fund V, has become a majority shareholder in the Sicame group, alongside the founding families, who retain a significant stake.  Equistone Partners Europe is one of Europe’s leading mid-market private equity managers.

The Sicame group, based in Pompadour (Corrèze), specialises in products and services for the transport and distribution of electricity, which it sells in around 170 countries through a portfolio of recognised brands. With revenues of EUR 326 million in 2014, two-thirds of which are generated abroad, the group employs around 2,500 people and has 25 plants on five continents. 

With its positioning in growth markets, Sicame has attractive organic and external growth prospects. The group is planning targeted acquisitions to strengthen its position in key markets and to enhance its range of products and technologies. 

In June 2015, Vincent Roy succeeded Pierre François as the group's chairman of the board. Vincent Roy knows Sicame well, having worked there between 2006 and 2009, and aims to increase the group's growth with Equistone's support. 

Equistone is also familiar with the company, having supported it as a minority shareholder since 2009, and is convinced of its potential. As part of the capital reorganisation relating to the withdrawal of Siparex, Etoile ID, Banque Tarneaud and a number of family shareholders, Equistone is taking control of the group alongside the Lachaud and Brahimi families, the management and Crédit du Nord. 

Vincent Roy is delighted about Equistone’s investment: "I would like to thank all our financial partners for their confidence and support over the years. The consolidation of our alliance with Equistone will give the group the resources necessary to pursue its ambitious growth strategy". 

Guillaume Jacqueau, Managing Partner of Equistone Partners Europe, concludes: "This operation clarifies the group's governance now organised around one major shareholder, and provides it with the means to implement its proactive growth strategy, predominately through targeted acquisitions". 

The investment is subject to the prior authorisation of the competent competition authorities.