News - Page 3 of 4 - Motion Equity Partners

Motion Equity Partners announces the signing of an exclusivity agreement with Latour Capital for the disposal of its shareholding in Omni-Pac Group

26 February 2021

Motion Equity Partners announces the signing of an exclusivity agreement with Latour Capital for the disposal of its shareholding in Omni-Pac Group

26 February 2021

Funds advised by Motion Equity Partners and Arkéa Capital announces the signing of an exclusivity agreement with Latour Capital for the disposal of their shareholding in Omni-Pac Group. Under the impulsion of Motion Equity Partners, Omni-Pac Group has become a leading European player in the sustainable moulded fiber packaging industry, born from the reunion of 3 pioneer players (CDL, Omni-Pac et MFP). After consultation with employee representative bodies, the transaction would be subject to antitrust authorizations. Its closing is expected at the end of the first half of 2021.

Omni-Pac Group is at the forefront of the fast-growing sustainable packaging market, offering innovative and eco-friendly solutions in moulded fiber (a natural, recyclable and biodegradable material) for various markets such as:

The food sector (eggs, fruit & vegetables, fish, meat, dairy products, etc.): in these segments, moulded fibre offers ideal features for the conditioning and preservation and the replacement of plastic materials;
The medical sector, with innovative single-use solutions limiting the excessive use of detergents and the proliferation of nosocomial disease;
The tailor-made segment, broad range of applications for diversified end-markets including industrial, e-commerce and horticulture packaging solutions.

Omni-Pac Group benefits from a state-of-the-art industrial organization ensuring a unique competitive advantage with three highly automated and complementary sites: Allaire in Brittany (France), Elsfleth in Germany and Scunthorpe in the United-Kingdom. Every year, over 100,000 tons of recycled paper and cardboard are recycled on these sites, thus contributing to give a second life to our paper waste. Historically positioned as a leader in the French, German and UK markets, the Group is also a key player in Benelux, the Nordic Countries and in Southern Europe. It has recently initiated very promising developments in Export markets especially in the Middle East, Africa and in North and South America.
With its 600 employees led by Renaud Malarre (CEO since 2013), the Group generates over €110m in Sales.

Funds advised by Motion Equity Partners and Arkéa Capital realised the acquisition of CDL in 2014 (initial platform, generating about €30m in Sales at entry) alongside its Management team, with the ambition to back an international development project. The Motion team has therefore supported CDL in the implementation of a solid growth plan, via both organic and external growth. The Group realized the acquisition of Omni-Pac in Germany in 2016, followed by MFP in the UK in 2020, allowing to diversify the offer, reinforce the distribution and the industrial footprint across Europe. From these 3 busineess was created “Omni-Pac Group”, a pan-European player in the moulded fiber packaging. Motion Equity Partners also backed the Group in its many innovation initiatives and the deployment of an ambitious ESG roadmap, in order to develop tomorrow’s packaging and actively promotes circular economy as well as environmental protection.

Renaud Malarre, CEO of the Group stated: « Motion Equity Partners understood the keys to CDL’s development from day one and established an honest and trustworthy relationship with our teams. With the acquisitions of Omni-Pac in Germany and MFP in the UK, two build-ups completed with their full support, we have transformed a French SME into a European leader We are very grateful to the Motion team for its decisive contribution to the Group’s development over the recent years. ».

Cédric Rays, Partner at Motion Equity Partners, added « Since our investment, the Group has grown from a French SME in a niche market into a burgeoning pan-European packaging Group. The Group is today a driving force of the fast-changing packaging market. We are very proud to have supported this transformation under the impulsion of Renaud Malarre. Organic development is at the forefront of the Group plans as well as developing many huge opportunities for growth in Export markets in the Middle East, also North and South America. We are convinced that Latour Capital would be an ideal partner to support Omni-Pac in its next development phase. ».
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Motion Equity Partners continues its development and promotes a new Partner

16 December 2020

Motion Equity Partners continues its development and promotes a new Partner

16 December 2020

Motion Equity Partners is pleased to announce the promotion of Anthony Baudoin as Partner.

Anthony started his career within Motion Equity Partners’ team, which he joined 11 years ago. He is today in charge of backing Omni-Pac Group, EA Pharma, Holweg Weber and Olmix.

In 2020, Anthony was notably involved in investing in Olmix (a primary deal on a global supplier of natural solutions, offering sustainable alternatives to chemical and pharmaceutical inputs used for farming). In addition, he played a key role within the development of portfolio companies with the build-up of MFP in the UK and of Labcatal in France, respectively acquired by Omni-Pac Group (leading European player in sustainable packaging) and EA Pharma (leading French laboratory specialized in oligotherapy and food supplements).

He is a graduate of the Paris Dauphine University where he obtained a master degree in Corporate Finance and Financial Engineering.

“We are delighted to announce this promotion which achieves years of strong dedication from Anthony within our team. This is a new natural step for Motion’s development, which is part of the dynamic we have been recording over the past few years”, stated Patrick Eisenchteter and Cedric Rays, Founders of Motion Equity Partners.

Motion Equity Partners announces the signing of an exclusivity agreement with Eurazeo PME for the disposal of its shareholding in Altaïr Group.

19 November 2020

Motion Equity Partners announces the signing of an exclusivity agreement with Eurazeo PME for the disposal of its shareholding in Altaïr Group.

19 November 2020

Founded in 1946 by the Brunel brothers and located in Wasquehal near Lille, Altaïr is a leading European manufacturer and marketer of specialty home care and cleaning products with revenues of €105m (2019) and 400 employees. The Group owns a portfolio of 5 iconic brands, leader on their respective segments, benefiting from a high degree of customer awareness and loyalty:

Starwax: specialty cleaning and home care products
Oro: laundry care, insecticides and home cleaning
Kapo: home insecticides
Sinto: restorative DIY products
Mistol: hand dish washing products

In France and in Spain, the Group’s two main geographies, these brands are distributed in DIY stores, hyper and supermarkets and in traditional/independent stores, as well as through different online channels (e-commerce platforms and the Group’s website Mamawax.fr). Altaïr also distributes its products in more than 50 countries (mostly North Africa and Eastern Europe), total Exports representing more than 25% of the Group’s revenue. The Group relies on 400 employees and 3 production sites based in Noyelles-lès-Seclin near Lille, in Aubagne and in Valencia (Spain).
Funds advised by Motion Equity Partners acquired Altaïr in 2016 alongside its Management team, with the project to accelerate its international expansion (by then, sales outside of France represented only 10% of the Group’s activity). Since then, Motion Equity Partners’ team has actively supported the Group in the implementation of an ambitious growth project, through both organic and external growth.

Under Motion Equity Partners’ ownership, Altaïr completed three cross-border acquisitions: Enteco (2016) in Belgium, Oro (2017) and Mistol (2020) in Spain. Oro’s transforming acquisition in Spain allowed Altaïr to make a major step-up, becoming a true European leader in household care products while benefitting from significative commercial and industrial synergies. This acquisition was an opportunity to strengthen the Group’s governance, with the recruitment of Etienne Sacilotto as Group General Manager. The acquisition of Mistol in 2020 allowed Altaïr to reinforce its presence in Spain and strengthened its M&A track-record. Since 2016, Altaïr has proven to be a unique consolidation platform on a still highly fragmented European market.
Motion Equity Partners has also supported Altaïr in its organic growth initiatives, with the penetration of the French retailer Monoprix, the development of e-commerce (including its owned website Mamawax.fr) as well as the launch of ecological product ranges such as Starwax Respect or more recently the deployment of a Bulk offer. The Group is now a diversified player, generating almost 50% of its revenue outside of France and is ideally positioned to keep growing on its markets.

Finally, Motion Equity Partners is proud of having contributed to the deployment of an ambitious CSR strategy, aiming at reducing the Group’s environmental footprint, promoting more eco-friendly products as well as promoting workplace well-being. For instance, the Group completed its first Carbon Footprint Assessment in 2018 (scope 1, 2 and 3), and, more recently, endorsed a major project, The SeaCleaners, to contribute to the fight against plastic pollution in oceans. Altaïr also joined the Fret 21 initiative which aims at better factoring transport-related impact in sustainable development strategy.

Patrick Eisenchteter, Managing Partner at Motion Equity Partners, stated: “Since our initial investment in 2016, Altaïr has made a great step-up to become a true European leader in branded household care products. We are proud to have contributed to this success at the instigation of Jean-Pierre Dano, notably through Altaïr’s first cross-border acquisition (Oro, Spain) which has significantly strengthened the Group and laid the ground for the current growth project carried-out by Etienne Sacilotto and his team. We are delighted to hand-over to Eurazeo PME, which we believe is the right partner to the Group and its Management team in order to pursue its growth story, both organically and through buy & build.”

Etienne Sacilotto, Altaïr’s General Manager, declared: “We would like to thank the Motion team for their decisive contribution to the Group’s development. Notably on the M&A front, but also for the quality of our day-to-day exchanges on more operational issues, as well as for their strong support and awareness regarding both digital and CSR issues. The entire Altaïr team is delighted to engage in a new chapter with a sponsor such as Eurazeo PME, which shares the same values and which will bring its financial means and expertise support and accelerate Altaïr’s growth.”

Jean-Pierre Dano, Altaïr’s President added: “In 2016, Altaïr’s Management team chose Motion Equity Partners for its strong expertise in international ‘Buy & build’. Together, we have succeeded in transforming Altaïr into a true sizeable European leader. Motion’s team also played a major role in the acquisition of Oro, in both sourcing and execution phases. Motion Equity Partners’ experience has also been instrumental to structure a consistent post-merger integration approach and to implement the necessary evolution of the governance of the Group which has almost doubled its size. I have also prepared my departure from Altaïr, with the set-up of a seasoned Management team. I will be delighted and reassured to see Etienne Sacilotto become Group President and CEO, and I believe Eurazeo PME is the right partner to support him and Altaïr in the next development phase “.

CDL Omni-Pac becomes Omni-Pac Group to reflect its significantly strengthened pan-European presence following the acquisition of MFP in the United-Kingdom early 2020

23 September 2020

CDL Omni-Pac becomes Omni-Pac Group to reflect its significantly strengthened pan-European presence following the acquisition of MFP in the United-Kingdom early 2020

23 September 2020

Under Motion Equity Partners’ ownership, Omni-Pac Group becomes a leading European player in the sustainable moulded fiber packaging industry.

This change of identity acknowledges the profound transformation of the Group, which is now at the forefront of the fast-growing sustainable packaging market, offering innovative and eco-friendly solutions in moulded fiber (a natural, recyclable and biodegradable material) for various markets such as:

The food sector (eggs, fruit & vegetables, fish, meat, dairy products, etc.): in these segments, moulded fiber offers ideal features for the conditioning and preservation and the replacement of plastic materials;
The medical sector, with innovative single-use solutions limiting the excessive use of detergents and the proliferation of nosocomial disease;
The industrial market, with shipping packaging solutions allowing to conciliate technical performance (optimized protection and logistic) and further recycling.

Omni-Pac Group operates three highly automated and complementary state-of-the-art production facilities: Allaire in Brittany (France), Elsfleth in Germany and Scunthorpe in the United-Kingdom. Every year, over 100,000 tons of recycled paper and cardboard are recycled on these sites, thus contributing to give a second life to our paper waste.

Historically positioned as a leader in the French, German and UK markets, the Group is also a key player in Benelux, the Nordic Countries and in Southern Europe. It has recently initiated very promising developments in Export markets especially in the Middle East, Africa and in North and South America.

With its 600 employees led by Renaud Malarre (CEO since 2013), the Group has significantly invested in R&D in order to develop tomorrow’s packaging and actively promotes circular economy as well as environmental protection.

The Group’s development strategy is fully aligned with the tremendous changes of consumers’ habits definitively shifting away from plastic packaging towards eco-friendly solutions, in accordance with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals roadmap. The Group also remains attentive to new strategic partnerships in order to expand its industrial footprint.

Motion Equity Partners makes 3 promotions

20 December 2019

Motion Equity Partners has reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against climate change by signing the Initiative Climate (iC20)

12 February 2019

Motion Equity Partners has reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against climate change by signing the Initiative Climate (iC20)

12 February 2019

Motion Equity Partners has reaffirmed its commitment to fight against climate change with the decision to sign the Initiative Climate 2020 (iC20).

iC20 is an initiative from the French private equity industry to support the monitoring and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius, in line with COP21 objectives.

Motion Equity Partners thus engages in a long-term approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of its portfolio companies and secure sustainable performance by including the materiality of this issue. Concretely, this will translate in the annual assessment of each portfolio company’s carbon footprint, with the dual objective of being able to monitor their evolution over time (and reduce it) and to raise awareness from Management teams on these issues.

« As majority or reference shareholder, Motion Equity Partners must actively support its portfolio companies in the reduction of their impact on climate. Our iC20 commitment formalises the integration of climate change stakes in our investment approach » stated Patrick Eisenchteter, Managing Partner at Motion Equity Partners.

The full version of the iC20 Charter can be downloaded here

Motion Equity Partners is a signatory of the United Nation’s Principles for Responsible Investment, and of the Charter of Commitments for Investors in Growth of the French Private Equity Association (France Invest, ex-AFIC).

Altaïr Group is the winner of the CFNews 2018 External Growth Award and announces the strengthening of its Management team

8 June 2018

Altaïr Group is the winner of the CFNews 2018 External Growth Award and announces the strengthening of its Management team

8 June 2018

Paris, June 8^th 2018 – This prize, rewarding the acquisition of the Spanish company Quimicas Oro completed in November 2017, was awarded to Altaïr Group during a celebration which took place on May 31^st , 2018 in front of more than 450 company officers and corporate finance professionals (investors, lawyers, counsellors and M&A advisors).

Each year, the CFNews jury selects a set of French companies who stand apart, within their respective categories, thanks to their outstanding external growth track record.

Winners are selected by a jury composed of CM-CIC Investissement, Deloitte, CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats, Alantra, Advention Business Partners, Neuflize OBC, Donnelley Financial Solutions and Gordon S. Blair.

“We are very proud to receive the External Growth CFNews award, it rewards a strategic operation and a major step in the development of Altaïr Group. Quimicas Oro’s acquisition allows us to reach a critical size in Spain and offers significant synergies potential. Since the completion of the acquisition, our teams have been working on the industrial optimization and the commercial development of the new Group. This acquisition is also the opportunity to optimize our industrial tool and to reinforce our Top Management team, which is necessary for both the proper integration of Quimicas Oro and to prepare the future acquisitions”, said Jean-Pierre Dano, CEO of Altaïr.

“The acquisition of Quimicas Oro is a key step for Altaïr since it is its first transforming acquisition, let alone the first out of France. It is the result of an intensive work alongside Altaïr’s Management team on the M&A front since we invested two years ago in Altaïr. Alongside the integration of Quimicas Oro in the Group, we have sharpened the Group’s M&A strategy and we are actively looking for new opportunities in Europe on the household care and insecticides markets”, stated Patrick Eisenchteter, Managing Partner at Motion Equity Partners.

Based in Wasquehal near Lille, Altaïr Group is now a major player in the manufacturing and marketing of home care, cleaning products and insecticides in Europe. The Group’s offer, which counts more than 3,500 SKUs for a turnover exceeding 110 million euros, is built around four brands leader in their segment:

Starwax: household care;
Kapo: insecticides;
Sinto: wood care;
Oro: insecticides, cleaning and household care.

The Group has a premium industrial tool with two main production sites in Noyelles-lès-Seclin near Lille in France and in Valencia in Spain.

Quimicas Oro was acquired on November 10th, 2017 from its founding family. Founded in 1955 and based in Valencia, Spain, Quimicas Oro is a Spanish company specialized in the production and distribution of insecticides, detergents and cleaning products, under its “oro” brand. A regional leader in Iberia, where it generates c.60% of its sales, Quimicas Oro’s products are distributed in national and regional chains and traditional drugstores in the region. The Company is also present in Northern and Western Africa, with total exports representing 40% of sales. Quimicas Oro counts about 100 employees and generates a turnover of over 40 million euros.

In order to support Quimicas Oro’s integration and the step-change of the Group which became a major European leader, Altaïr decided to strengthen its Top Management team with the hiring of Etienne Sacilotto (ex-Spotless) as General Manager and Julien Delesalle (ex-Datawords) as Group CFO.

Etienne Sacilotto, 53, is a consumer brands specialist. After 30 years in top management positions as Marketing Director and Vice-President in consumer goods leaders such as Unilever, he joined Spotless Group – a producer of care products and insecticides today owned by Henkel – in 2010 as Vice-President responsible for the Marketing and the International Development. At Spotless (at that time owned by private equity firm BC Partners), he contributed in restoring the Group’s growth by completing 4 strategic acquisitions and by accelerating its international development.

Julien Delesalle, 41, began his career within Bel Group in 2006 after a first experience as an auditor at EY. In 2009, he was promoted CFO of Bel Group’s Ukraine subsidiary. In 2012, he joined Datawords – an international provider of digital services – as Group CFO. At Datawords (which was owned by private equity firm Capzanine, and then by Keensight and Cathay Capital), he organized the Finance Department and supported the international growth of the Group by opening several subsidiaries in foreign countries. He also completed several external growth operations.

These recruitments should further enable the international development of Altaïr Group through external growth. The Group is actively looking for new external growth opportunities, mainly in France, Germany, Benelux, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom, targeting strong brands of care products and insecticides.

Altaïr, supported by Funds advised by Motion Equity Partners since April 2016, announces the acquisition of Spanish company Quimicas Oro to strengthen its positions in Europe

15 November 2017

Altaïr, supported by Funds advised by Motion Equity Partners since April 2016, announces the acquisition of Spanish company Quimicas Oro to strengthen its positions in Europe

15 November 2017

Paris, November 14^th2017 – Altaïr, supported by Funds advised by Motion Equity Partners since April 2016, is one of the leading manufacturers and marketers of home care and cleaning products in France.

Based in Wasquehal near Lille, Altaïr Group is a manufacturer and marketer of home care and cleaning products and insecticides distributed through specialized channels (DIY stores, drugstores, garden stores, etc.). The Group’s offer, which counts more than 1,000 SKUs and a turnover exceeding 70 million euros, is built around three brands, which are leaders in their segment: Starwax, Kapo and Sinto. The Group has two production sites in France, in Noyelles-lès-Seclin near Lille and in Aubagne.

Founded in 1955 and based in Valencia, Spain, Quimicas Oro is a Spanish company specialized in the production and distribution of insecticides, detergents and cleaning products, under its “ORO” brand. A regional leader in Iberia, where it generates c.60% of its sales, Quimicas Oro’s products are distributed in national and regional chains and traditional drugstores in the region. The Company is also present in Northern and Western Africa, with total Exports representing 40% of sales. Quimicas Oro employs approximately 100 staff and generates a turnover of over 40 million euros.

This new external growth operation follows the acquisition of Enteco, the historical distributor of Altaïr in Belgium (2 million euros turnover), completed in February this year.

With the acquisition of the Spanish group Quimicas Oro, which closed on November 10^th, 2017, Altaïr significantly reinforces its activities to become a European leader in household products and insecticides with around 110 million euros of cumulated sales for around 370 employees.

“This strategic operation is a major step in the development of the Altaïr Group. Quimicas Oro is a strong business very complementary to ours, both from a commercial and an industrial point of view. Many positive synergies are expected and I am convinced that this consolidation will strengthen the two groups, which have a lot to learn from one another. We are very excited to work even more closely with Quimicas Oro’s team on this promising growth project”, said Jean-Pierre Dano, President of Altaïr.

“The acquisition of Quimicas Oro is a key step for Altaïr since it is its first transformative acquisition, and the first out of France. It is the result of intensive work alongside Altaïr’s Management team on the M&A front since we first invested a year and a half ago in Altaïr, and of almost a year of discussions with the shareholding family of Quimicas Oro, for which the relevance of the industrial project offered was key”, states Patrick Eisenchteter, Managing Partner at Motion Equity Partners.

Funds managed by Motion Equity Partners to sell Morrison Utility Services to First Reserve

21 July 2016

Funds managed by Motion Equity Partners to sell Morrison Utility Services to First Reserve

21 July 2016

Funds advised by Motion Equity Partners today announced an agreement to sell Morrison Utility Services, the leading provider of utility infrastructure services in the United Kingdom, to First Reserve, a leading global private equity and infrastructure investment firm exclusively focused on energy, including utilities. Funds advised by Motion Equity Partners acquired MUS in March 2008 from Anglian Water Group, investing alongside Bregal Capital and Company management.

With history dating back to 1884, MUS is one of the UK’s leading providers of infrastructure services to utilities, operating in the electricity, gas, water and telecommunication sectors. Operating under long-term contracts, MUS ensures that utilities’ infrastructure assets are continuously maintained, enhanced, expanded and renewed. The company has nearly 4,000 direct employees, with a focus on training and development programs to enhance expertise and dependability.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Charles Morrison, Chief Executive Officer at MUS, said, “MUS has provided high quality services for over 27 years, whilst developing successful and long term relationships with our clients. As an organisation we pride ourselves on the ability to deliver safety, innovation and a quality service placing our clients’ customers at the heart of our business. The growth opportunities in our markets are significant on the back of continued long term investment in the UK’s infrastructure. We thank Bregal Capital and Motion Equity Partners for the great support they have provided to MUS since 2008 and very much look forward to forging a strong partnership with First Reserve during our next phase of growth.”

Patrick Eisenchteter, Managing Partner of Motion Equity Partners, commented, “It has been a pleasure supporting Charles and the team at MUS. Since our investment in the company, the team has achieved a huge amount, established the business as a utility market leader in all its key sectors and successfully grown revenues to over £600 million. This successful investment adds to our strong track record of working in partnership with management teams to create value. We wish the team every success as they continue to grow their company.”

Jeff Quake and Neil Hartley, Managing Directors at First Reserve, commented, “We believe MUS’s experienced team has demonstrated an excellent track record of providing best-in-class service with strong alignment to the needs of their customers. We are pleased to continue our model of partnering with what we believe are industry-leading management teams worldwide, and we look forward to supporting the company through a new phase of growth.”

MUS and its shareholders were advised on the transaction by DC Advisory, Marlborough Partners and Kaye Scholer; while the management team were advised by Wyvern Partners and Pinsent Masons. First Reserve was advised by Winchester Capital and Freshfields. Debt financing has been fully underwritten by HSBC and Societe Generale.

The transaction is subject to European Commission antitrust approval and is expected to close by November 2016.