Author: Virgilio Arria

Expert in nutrition and natural health, EA Pharma has announced the acquisition of U.S. food supplements specialist W Group and launched the global structure Olyos Group. The pharmaceutical group has initiated a new phase in its international expansion by entering the world’s biggest food supplements market.

Since the group’s flagship brand Le Laboratoire des Granions launched in 1948, EA Pharma has provided natural health solutions for all aspects of wellbeing, medicinal products, food supplements, medical devices and cosmetics. With the highest growth (+32%) of France’s ten largest food supplement manufacturers in Pharmacies and Drugstores across 2023(2), EA Pharma is the market leader in minerals, collagen, sports nutrition and joints and muscles care supplements.

As early as 2020, the French company initiated a radical transformation, focusing on three strategic areas: stronger partnerships with pharmacists based on staff training and brand visibility in pharmacies; an ambitious innovation policy aiming to consolidate its existing ranges and enter new market segments (Nutricosmetics, Childhood, Vitality & Immunity); and the development of e-commerce in Europe and China. Three business acquisitions boosted the two verticals (pharmacies and e-commerce): Labcatal (France) in 2020, Drasanvi (Spain) in 2021 and Stardea (Italy) in 2022.

Today, EA Pharma has announced the acquisition of W Group, a food supplement specialist founded in the United States in 2020, and the launch of a global structure, Olyos, comprising four international companies (EA Pharma, Drasanvi, Stardea and W Group).

‘‘We’re delighted with this acquisition, which is opening up new opportunities in the U.S. as we continue to develop W Group’s brands as well as launching some of our longstanding brands in that market’’ says CEO Thierry Verne.

Following a group’s initial European consolidation in three of the EU’s four biggest food supplement markets (Italy, France, Spain) and a second phase of international expansion characterized by strong growth in South America and China, Olyos Group has naturally turned to the United States, the world’s premier food supplements market “with a size estimated at 50 billion USD, much of which is online, facilitating accelerated market penetration” Deputy CEO Jonathan Bienfait clarifies.

More than ten Granions products have already been made available to U.S. consumers, largely thanks to the W teams’ e-commerce expertise. That agility is consistent with Olyos Group’s strategy: ‘‘pooling and synergies upstream for procurement and production (where economies of scale are) and agility downstream to meet the expectations of our customers, pharmacists and consumers’’ Thierry Verne explains. ‘‘Olyos Group develops innovative products from superior-quality active ingredients, plants, minerals, vitamins and amino acids, which we then market around the world under brands that appeal to and resonate with consumers in every country ’’ the CEO adds.

For more information : https://olyos.com/

Motion Equity Partners announces its entry as the majority shareholder in Banook Group, an expert in the Cardiac Safety assessment of drug candidates, alongside Turenne Santé and Banook Group’s management team, who reinvest substantially in the operation.

Founded in 1999 in Nancy, Banook has established itself as a Cardiac Safety Central Service Provider specialized in the centralization of cardiac data derived from electrocardiograms (ECG) and central imaging within the context of clinical trials. For over 25 years, Banook has been a trusted partner for pharmaceutical laboratories, biotechnology companies, and generalist Contract Research Organizations (CROs), streamlining drug candidates’ safety and efficacity assessment by centralizing and analyzing ECG and medical imaging data. As a strategic partner, the Group benefits from a network of renowned Key Opinion Leaders and a Clinical Trial Management System (Atrium) that ensures secured and automated data centralization.

Historically based in Nancy, Banook has embarked on a strategic international expansion, first establishing a presence in Canada and then Germany through the acquisition of the Munich-based enterprise nabios Gmbh in 2021. In 2022, the company further expanded by opening an office in Boston. Additionally, the Group has strategically positioned multiple logistic hubs abroad, ensuring the swift provision of medical devices, enabling Banook to efficiently support multi-site clinical trials. Presently, Banook conducts almost two-thirds of its operations outside of France, addressing leading pharmaceutical laboratories. The Group employs ~70 people and is backed by a network of top-tier scientific and medical experts.

Operating in a rapidly growing Cardiac Safety market (+13% CAGR growth) the company led by Alexandre Durand Salmon was looking for additional resources to accelerate the Group’s expansion following a successful phase of structural development alongside Turenne Santé, with a specific emphasis on the United States, where the Group holds significant growth potential. The Management team therefore decided to embark on a strategic and financial partnership with Motion Equity Partners. Turenne Santé reinvests in the operation alongside Motion Equity Partners.

In the upcoming years, the strategic focus will be on consolidating Banook’s position as a leading European player in Cardiac Safety, for both ECG and imaging services, to accelerate its international expansion, especially in the United States, while also diversifying into adjacencies such as eCOA and biostatistics to better serve its customers. All the while pursuing its excellent customer service, with a continuous effort in innovation and contributing to the future of healthcare.

“After a successful transitional phase alongside Turenne Santé, both in terms of ownership and management, which notably included our first acquisition with nabios Gmbh in Germany, we are now ready to deploy our development strategy. The challenge of the upcoming years will be to reinforce our international expansion, with a strategic focus on North America, the world’s leading market. Motion Equity Partners has firmly established itself as the ideal partner to boost this next phase of our ambitious growth” stated Alexandre Durand Salmon, President of Banook Group.

“We have identified Banook as a very high-performing company operating in a dynamic and appealing market. We quickly developed a strong belief in the Management team’s ability to lead an ambitious development project, with a strong commitment to leverage the potential of external growth, and to make Banook a global market leader. Backed by our extensive experience in the healthcare sector and our proven track-record in supporting international external growth initiatives, we are well-prepared to provide Banook and its team with the resources required to realize their ambition” stated Cédric Rays and Anthony Baudoin, Partners at Motion Equity Partners.

“We are pleased to extend our partnership with Banook, alongside Alexandre and his team, and with the support of Motion Equity Partners who will enable the Group to reach a new stage of development and to pursue the momentum that was initiated on our side” stated Paul Chamoulaud, Partner at Turenne Santé.

Olmix Group, a global specialist of natural solutions for agriculture, announces the acquisition of the Brazilian biotech company Yes Sinergy, specialized in natural additives for animal nutrition and welfare.

Olmix is a global company specialized in developing, producing and distributing high-value biosourced solutions for livestock and crop farming. With more than 30 years of experience in the sector, the company has established itself as a specialist in marine biotechnology and green chemistry. Today, Olmix offers an innovative and recognized range of products based on algae, clays, trace elements, and organic matter. These products address two main markets: “Animal Care” (natural solutions for animal nutrition and health, with a focus on improving animal welfare and hygiene, reduce mycotoxin risks, and improve digestive efficiency) and “Plant Care” (natural solutions to improve soil structure, plant nutrition and health, while reducing the use of chemical inputs and phytosanitary products). Through its range of high-quality end-products and ingredients, the Group is a preferred partner of farmers, distributors, and farm supply manufacturers worldwide, enabling smart and sustainable agriculture.

Founded in 2008 in Brazil, Yes Sinergy draws on more than 15 years of R&D aimed at adding-value to by-products of the sugar-cane industry. As a result of all this work carried out in close cooperation with Brazilian universities and world-class researchers, the Group is now recognized as a specialist in the selection and production of high-value derivates of natural extracts. Its portfolio of innovative solutions aims at preventing the adverse effects of mycotoxins, improving digestive comfort, preventing contamination by pathogens and stimulating the immune responses while reducing the use of antibiotics for both livestock and pet.

The combination of Olmix and Yes Sinergy marks a new milestone in the development of Olmix’s Animal Care Business Unit. Through this acquisition, Olmix Group reaffirms its international ambitions and positions itself as a leader of biosourced solutions for agriculture, now achieving more than €200 million in revenue, including nearly €150 million in animal nutrition, health, and welfare.

Robert Clapham, Olmix Group CEO, commented: “The acquisition of biotech company Yes Sinergy is fully in line with the Animal Care Business Unit’s growth plans. I’m convinced that under the leadership of Mickael Rouault, who recently arrived at the head of this business, the two teams’ combined expertise and skills will stimulate innovation and the growth of our biosourced solutions The Group now has a global presence spanning Europe, Asia and Latin America, and the Animal Care Business Unit’s revenues are spread evenly across these three areas.”

“We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Yes Sinergy, a structuring build-up for Olmix Group, marking the company’s first international acquisition since our investment. This is a unique opportunity for Olmix to complement its range of natural solutions, particularly in the pet food market, and accelerate its development in Latin America, one of the most dynamic agricultural markets. This acquisition comes on top of the strong organic growth of the Group over the past three years,” said Patrick Eisenchteter, Managing Partner at Motion Equity Partners.

Motion Equity Partners continues its expansion and announces the recruitment of two new Analysts, Charlotte Marie and Pamela Duka.

Charlotte is a graduate of McGill University and ESCP Business School, and previously worked in EY’s M&A team in Paris. Pamela is a graduate of EM Lyon, and worked for Ardian and Bpifrance’s funds in Paris, and in Restructuring at KPMG.

Specializing in the mid-cap segment, the Motion team now counts 12 professionals. These latest recruitments will allow to actively pursue its long-standing investment strategy and support the transformation of French flagships into international champions. Motion has €1,000m under management, and currently 8 companies in portfolio.

Olmix Group, global specialist in natural solutions for agriculture, has finalized the acquisition of the French biotech company Bois Valor, expert in foliar biostimulants and seed treatment solutions, in order to strengthen its Plant Care activity and accelerate its development.

Olmix is a global player in natural solutions, alternatives to chemical and pharmaceutical inputs, used in agriculture. Since nearly 30 years, the company has established itself as a specialist in marine biotechnology and green chemistry and offers today a comprehensive range of innovative and recognised products, based on algae, clays, trace elements and organic matter, for two main markets: “Animal Care” (natural solutions used in animal nutrition and health, aiming to reduce antibiotics and chemical products) and “Plant Care” (natural solutions to improve soil structure, nutrition and plant health; aiming at reducing the use of chemical and phytopharmaceutical inputs). Olmix products are distributed in more than 100 countries on 5 continents, via distributors and cooperatives, and the group relies on a network of 28 international locations.

After 15 years of academic and scientific research and the development of a patent related to a specific extraction process, Dr Marie Morard created Bois Valor in 2004, a French biotech company specialized in the extraction of active ingredients from wood and plants, and the development of biostimulants for plants and film coating for seeds. Its biosourced solutions, tested and validated by numerous experiments and scientific publications, supply the international leaders in plant protection, biostimulants and seeds.

With this acquisition, Olmix intends to accelerate the growth of its Plant Care business by consolidating its portfolio of biosourced solutions targeting soil and plant health as well as seed protection. This merger is the result of a common vision shared by the two companies as well as shared values based on an entrepreneurial spirit, a scientific approach to knowledge and the importance of innovation for productive and sustainable agriculture. Following the integration of Bois Valor, the group will keep actively looking at acquisition and partnership opportunities, in France and abroad.

“After three years of double-digit organic growth, Olmix has made its first acquisition with the integration of Bois Valor, a company that has developed a quality offer and significant know-how, which is perfectly complementary to the Olmix’s Plant Care activity. This acquisition strengthens our ambition to become the key player in biostimulation solutions for economically and environmentally efficient agriculture and healthy, high-quality food that is accessible to the greatest number of people,” said Robert Clapham, Olmix’s CEO.

“Joining Olmix is a major step for Bois Valor. Deeply inspired by a culture of innovation, our team will be able to rely on an international distribution network and change the scale of deployment of our solutions. We share with Olmix a common vision of the issues surrounding agriculture and food, a belief in the potential of nature and its renewable resources, and innovation as a driving force. These are the main aspects that convinced us to join the Group.“, says Dr Marie Morard, founder of Bois Valor.

“We are very proud to announce the acquisition of Bois Valor, Olmix’s first build-up since the entry of Motion Equity Partners. This is a unique opportunity for Olmix to strengthen its Plant Care activity and accelerate the development of its range of biostimulants and ingredients, with the integration of an innovative player who shares the same ambitions for tomorrow’s agriculture. Other attractive build-up opportunities are currently investigated,” said Patrick Eisenchteter, Managing Partner at Motion Equity Partners.

Motion Equity Partners is pleased to announce the promotion of Virgilio Arria as Investment Manager.

Virgilio started his career within Motion Equity Partners’ team in 2017. He is today in charge of backing EA Pharma, Olmix, Atlas For Men and Tournaire.

In 2022, Virgilio was notably involved in the acquisition of Tournaire (a primary deal on a global player of high-performance industrial packaging) and Atlas For Men (European D2C platform) as well as in the sale of HolwegWeber (global leader of solutions for sustainable packaging). In addition, he played a key role within the development of portfolio companies with both build-up operations and refinancing, notably EA Pharma (European lab specialized in health-nutrition) and Olmix (global supplier of natural solutions, offering sustainable alternatives to chemical and pharmaceutical inputs used for farming).

He is a graduate of EDHEC Business School.

Motion Equity Partners has acquired a majority stake in Tournaire Group, an historical leading global player in high-barrier packaging, alongside its founding family, which retains a significant share of the capital.

Founded in 1833, Tournaire relies on nearly two centuries of expertise in the design, manufacture and sale of high-barrier packaging solutions, mainly in aluminium (ranging from 15mL to 32L) used to safely store, sample, ship and market high value / noble materials (essential oils, active ingredients, solvents, etc.). As a strategic partner, the Group has a diversified portfolio of more than 900 clients operating in resilient and dynamic sectors such as pharmaceuticals, flavors & fragrances, agro-chemicals, chemicals and food ingredients. The one-piece technology and high-barrier properties of Tournaire’s aluminium solutions perfectly meet their requirements in terms of performance and recyclability.

Historically rooted in Grasse, the world’s perfume capital, the Group operates there its main production site and benefits from a unique industrial know-how. Tournaire also operates a manufacturing site located in Fragnes (Saône-et-Loire) dedicated to the production of high-barrier plastic packaging as well as sales offices in the United States and Vietnam. Tournaire distributes its solutions in 80 countries worldwide and employs nearly 300 people. In 2021, the Group realized +90m€ Sales.

On the eve of Tournaire’s 190th anniversary, the family shareholders of the Group wish to give themselves additional resources to seize the numerous opportunities of growth available to the Group. In order to keep on supporting the growing needs of its clients in particularly dynamic markets, the founding family has chosen to build a strategic and financial partnership with Motion Equity Partners, a private equity investor with a strong entrepreneurial culture and relevant track-record in such projects.

In the coming years, the objective will be to consolidate Tournaire’s positions in its historical markets, and to accelerate the development of the Group, both internationally and in high potential application markets. All this while continuing to provide a service of excellence to its clients, with a focus on innovation and environmental protection. Post-operation, the historical shareholders will retain a significant share of the capital, offering the Group a real continuity.

“Motion Equity Partners has an ambitious project for Tournaire, with a long-term approach. Their rapid understanding of the stakes of the Group and its markets quickly convinced us of the relevance of this new strategic partnership. This project is a great opportunity to reinforce our organization as well as our shareholding structure via a long-term partnership with a professional investor and boost our development, while preserving our values, our autonomy and the strengths that make our success. This operation will allow Tournaire to move forward and invest even more in innovation and in our operations” declared Jeanne Lions, CEO of Tournaire.

“We are particularly proud to support Tournaire in this new step of development alongside the founding family. The Group has established itself as a French industrial flagship and one of the leading players in high-performance industrial packaging, offering solutions recognized by its clients. Leveraging our expertise in the field of renewable packaging, we will build an ambitious roadmap, capitalizing on a rich heritage as well as strong corporate values” said Patrick Eisenchteter and Anthony Baudoin, Partners at Motion Equity Partners.

Motion Equity Partners is pleased to announce the disposal of the HolwegWeber Group to Ambienta. HolwegWeber will benefit from the contribution of In.Pack Machinery, Ambienta’s current portfolio company, to reinforce its position of global leader in machinery for sustainable pre-made packaging.

HolwegWeber is a global player specialized in the design, development and assembly of eco-packaging machinery solutions. The Group is comprised of three historical brands Holweg, Weber and MDM and has a broad product offering in the paper machines space, including machines for flat bottom bags, square bottom bags and e-commerce bags. HolwegWeber’s solutions address resilient and attractive end markets (food retail, e-commerce, other retail) and serve a broad range of prestigious customers. Thanks to more than a century of cumulated IP and know-how, and unique R&D capacities, HolwegWeber is the market leader in terms of innovation, contributing to the reduction of virgin plastic use in people’s daily lives. The HolwegWeber Group operates three business units, for North America, Kiel WI – USA, for Europe Molsheim France and for Asia-Pacific Guangzhou – China.

Motion Equity Partners acquired HolwegWeber in 2018 alongside its Management team, committed to an ambitious growth project based on the acceleration of R&D strategy and further international expansion, through a combination of both organic and external growth.
Under Motion Equity Partners’ ownership, thanks to a strong R&D effort (notably on the e-commerce packaging), the reinforcement of the salesforce combined to macrotrends positive acceleration driven by the shift from virgin plastic to sustainable packaging, the Group has doubled its sales and profitability and benefits from a record backlog, with orders until 2024.

Motion Equity Partners also actively supported the group’s external growth strategy, allowing for a transforming acquisition in China in 2021, and to build a strong M&A pipeline resulting in promising upcoming opportunities. Motion Equity Partners is also proud to have supported the implementation and deployment of an ambitious CSR strategy, notably enabling the group to clarify its mission: contribute to the reduction of the use of virgin plastic in our day-to-day lives. HolwegWeber is now ideally positioned to combine its expertise with In.Pack, to become the reference sustainable packaging solutions player in the world.

Formed in 2019 when Ambienta acquired the Group Amutec, In.Pack is an Italian group leader in film-based bag-making machines with 2 production facilities in Italy. By creating In.Pack, Ambienta combined 3 separate companies, expanding In.Pack’s addressable markets and geographical reach, resulting in a comprehensive product offering covering sectors such as waste, fruit and vegetables, industrial applications and e-commerce.

With a diversified offering of machines, a strong presence in Latin America and a proven M&A platform having already realized 2 acquisitions, In.Pack is perfectly positioned to join HolwegWeber’s project. Led by HolwegWeber’s current CEO, Jérôme Onoratini, the combination of In.Pack and HolwegWeber will achieve €130m in revenues and constitute a one-stop shop player in the flexible packaging market being the reference market in terms of size, product range, profitability, commercial and manufacturing footprint capable of supplying the leading packaging companies globally.

Cédric Rays, Partner at Motion Equity Partners, stated: “Since Motion’s entry in 2018, HolwegWeber has scaled-up to become a leading global provider of eco-packaging machinery solutions at the forefront of sustainability. HolwegWeber’s success story perfectly fits with Motion Equity Partners’ DNA.”

Anthony Baudoin, Partner at Motion Equity Partners, added: “We are very proud to have supported HolwegWeber’s evolution, strengthening the Group’s leadership, helping it position itself as a reference innovation player and initiating its ambitious external growth strategy. We are pleased to hand-over to Ambienta and In.Pack, which we believe is a great opportunity to create a global leader in sustainable packaging.”

Jérôme Onoratini, CEO of The HolwegWeber Group, added: “The partnership with Motion Equity Partners was key in the definition and implementation of our roadmap on the strategic, commercial, M&A and ESG front. We are now fully set up for our next development phase: the combination of In.Pack and HolwegWeber will allow to create a global, sustainable and diversified platform. We are looking forward to this new journey with Ambienta to better serve the mission to provide sustainable packaging solution for people’s daily life.”

Motion Equity Partners is pleased to announce the signing of an exclusivity agreement with Adagia Partners for the disposal of Minlay Group.

Founded in 2006, Minlay is a major European player and the French leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of dental prosthetic devices. Located in France, Germany and the Netherlands through its 16 laboratories and 12 brands, the Group employs approximately 440 people. Minlay mainly targets a client base of independent dentists, but also dental centers or networks of dental centers, for whom the Group designs devices ranging from fixed prosthetics (to replace one or several teeth) to removable devices (to replace several or even all teeth).

The Group’s custom-made prosthetic devices are manufactured using the latest generation of equipment and technologies and Minlay is able to meet dentists’ highest requirements in terms of product quality and traceability thanks to a unique know-how and organization.

Funds advised by Motion Equity Partners acquired Minlay in 2017 alongside its Management team and its founder, with the ambition to support an ambitious growth project, with a commitment to further expand its regional footprint and invest in technology. Since then, Motion Equity Partners’ team has actively supported Minlay in its development, relying on both organic and external growth.

Under Motion Equity Partners’ ownership, Minlay carried out nearly 20 external growth operations, growing revenue five-fold between 2017 and 2022 and allowing for the creation of 6 regional hubs in France where the Group has become the undisputed market and technological leader. Since 2017, Minlay has also initiated the acceleration of its international development with a first acquisition in Germany at the end of 2020.

Motion Equity Partners is also proud to have supported the deployment of an ambitious CSR strategy aimed at improving employee well-being and reducing the Group’s environmental impact. The Group’s massive investment in the digitalization of production processes has notably allowed to improve working conditions in labs and to reduce carbon footprint.

Minlay is today ideally positioned to further accelerate its development, both in France and in the rest of Europe.

Cédric Rays, Managing Partner at Motion Equity Partners, stated: “Since our initial investment in 2017, Minlay has scaled-up to become the undisputed French leader in the manufacture and commercialization of dental prosthetic devices. We are very proud to have supported this transformation, particularly in the execution of an ambitious external growth strategy that resulted in nearly 20 acquisitions over the past 4 years. We are very happy to hand-over to Adagia Partners, which we believe is an ideal partner to support the Group in its European development.”

Eric Darrou, CEO of the Minlay Group, added: “We would like to thank the Motion team for their decisive contribution to the development of Minlay. We have been very happy to share this entrepreneurial adventure alongside them. The Group is now ideally positioned to accelerate its growth, both in France and in the rest of Europe, in a resilient and fragmented European dental prosthetics market. Minlay’s team is delighted to welcome another high-quality sponsor such as Adagia Partners, with whom we share the same entrepreneurial mindset and which will be able to support us actively in our European development, especially in Germany “.