AMLS AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING SYSTEMS acquired by PLASTIC OMNIUM

Plastic Omnium has signed an agreement with Varroc Engineering Limited to acquire 100% of its automotive lighting business, Varroc Lighting Systems (VLS). This carve-out transaction comes at a time when the target company is experiencing financial difficulties, as evidenced by its EBITDA margin turning negative in 2021. The transaction was financed entirely in cash. The transaction was fully self-financed in cash and includes VLS operations in Europe, the Americas, North Africa, and an R&D center in India. The strategic rationale for the acquisition is to position Plastic Omnium as a major global player in the automotive lighting market (a segment projected to reach ~$42bn by 2027). By combining VLS with the recently acquired AMLS (ams OSRAM Automotive Lighting Systems), Plastic Omnium has created a new Lighting division with pro-forma annual revenues of approximately €1 billion. This integration allows the Group to provide "end-to-end" exterior systems that merge lighting with bumpers and body panels, enhancing cross-selling opportunities and design flexibility for OEMs. Plastic Omnium has implemented a detailed turnaround plan for VLS, focusing on operational excellence, cash optimization, and quality processes to bring its profitability in line with Group standards. The acquisition is expected to be EPS accretive within 12-24 months, transforming Plastic Omnium into a comprehensive solutions provider for the smart mobility era.

Pozeo’s management, led by Nicolas Chauveau Pégaz and supported by Vincent Lejeune, took control of the group through a management buyout structured with Bpifrance (via France Investissement Tourisme 2) and Société Générale Capital Partenaires (with minority stakes). The strategic rationale was anchored in both a generational succession plan and a platform expansion strategy. Since 2017, Pozeo had broadened its scope beyond cinema‑focused vouchers to include general gift cheques, event tickets, marketing and event‑related services, and externalized committee‑enterprise solutions, reflecting a deliberate shift toward diversified lifestyle and employee‑benefit offerings. The MBO allowed the family‑linked management team to regain control while also giving the group access to long‑term institutional capital for further development. The integration of Nouvelle Lune in 2019 had already demonstrated the company’s ability to transform cinema‑centric origins into a wider gift and benefits platform, and the ownership change reinforced that trajectory.

This transaction represents a major strategic trade sale marking the transition of Parts Holding Europe (PHE) from private equity ownership back to a long-term industrial partner. After two unsuccessful IPO attempts and discussions with other financial sponsors, the incoming industrial leader secured an exclusive agreement to acquire absolute majority control. The move follows a period of robust recovery and digital acceleration, notably through the integration of a major B2C e-commerce platform. To capitalize the operation, the structure recognizes a significant enterprise value that reflects the target's leading position in the fragmented European aftermarket, providing the renewed strategic momentum required to challenge global peers in the distribution sector.

The acquisition of BCA Marketplace by TDR Capital is a strategic move to expand the firm's presence in the European used car market. The deal is driven by the growing demand for online used car sales, and the need for a more efficient and digitalized marketplace. TDR Capital's investment in BCA Marketplace is expected to drive growth through increased digitalization, improved operational efficiency, and expanded customer reach. The acquisition is also expected to create new opportunities for bolt-on acquisitions and strategic partnerships, further enhancing the company's position in the market. The deal is subject to approval by regulatory authorities, and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2019. The acquisition is a key milestone in TDR Capital's strategy to build a leading European used car marketplace, and is expected to drive significant value creation for the firm's investors.

The sale of Vignal Lighting Group to EMZ Partners marks a significant milestone in the company's history. The transaction is the result of a strategic review process initiated by Eurazeo PME, which had been the majority shareholder of Vignal Lighting Group since 2014. During its ownership period, Eurazeo PME supported the company's significant transformation from a European player in signaling for trucks and trailers to a global leader in lighting for on and off-road specialty vehicles. The company's expansion was driven by a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions, including the acquisition of ABL Lights and CEA. The sale to EMZ Partners is expected to provide Vignal Lighting Group with the necessary resources and support to continue its growth and expansion plans. The transaction is also expected to generate significant proceeds for Eurazeo PME, which will be used to fund future investments and support the growth of its portfolio companies. The deal highlights the attractiveness of the specialty lighting market and the potential for growth and consolidation in the sector.

Groupe GRIS successfully completed a capital reorganization through a Management Buy-Out (MBO). The entry of SGCP and BNP Paribas Developpement provided the financial stability to pursue the group's "GRIS 2022" strategic plan, which focused on modernizing production tools and expanding its market share in Germany.

CVC Capital Partners acquired a controlling 90% stake in the holding company that owns Pasubio Group. The transaction was structured as a Primary LBO, transitioning the company from a purely family-owned business to a private equity-backed platform. The founding family reinvested a portion of their proceeds to retain a minority stake (over 10%) and continued to lead the management team, ensuring operational stability and alignment of interests.

The transaction involves the acquisition of a controlling stake in Financière Cofidim by Alpha Private Equity, which is acquiring the interests previously held by Qualium Investissement (60%) and the Monnoyeur Group (40%). The rationale behind the deal is rooted in the significant recovery and stabilization of the group's performance following a challenging post-crisis period. Alpha’s entry is driven by the attractiveness of the group’s multi-channel dimension and its robust digital strategy, particularly within the Feu Vert brand. The investment aims to support the next phase of the group's development, focusing on international expansion beyond its core French market, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula where growth has been accelerating. Furthermore, the strategic roadmap involves diversifying service offerings to include new mobility solutions and accelerating product innovation. The deal structure is supported by a debt package, including senior and mezzanine tranches, reflecting the steady cash flow generation of the underlying automotive service activities. By shifting ownership from a bank-affiliated fund and an industrial family group to a dedicated private equity firm, the group seeks to leverage Alpha’s expertise in scaling mid-sized European companies and professionalizing their operational footprints during a period of rising demand for independent automotive aftermarket services.

Equistone Partners Europe has acquired a majority stake in Mecaplast, the Monegasque automotive supplier. The transaction involves the sale of shares by the family of Chairman Thierry Manni and a reduction in the participation of the Fonds Avenir Automobile (FAA), managed by Bpifrance, which had supported the group since 2009. This strategic shift aims to provide Mecaplast with the financial resources necessary to accelerate its international development. The strategic rationale focuses on a dual growth path: organic expansion through new factory openings in Mexico, China, and Slovakia, and a targeted external growth policy to acquire complementary processes and products. The group intends to strengthen its proximity to major car manufacturers in key regions such as Germany, Portugal, Japan, the United States, and Morocco.

This transaction represents a major secondary leveraged buyout, marking the successful exit of the incumbent private equity consortium that had steered the company through a significant turnaround phase, more than tripling profits during its tenure. The incoming global financial sponsor acquires a controlling majority stake, injecting fresh momentum into the enterprise. To optimize its capital structure prior to the sale, the target had successfully utilized high-yield bond markets to refinance historical debt and distribute dividends. The new partnership aims to build upon this solid financial foundation, focusing heavily on continuous supply chain automation and aggressive external acquisitions to widen the overall product offering and expand its international footprint.