mynth
02/2014

APEM GROUP

Acquired by

ICG

FRANCE Industrial Equipment / Components / Electrical Equipment REV 50M - 100M EUR

Context

Apem takes a major strategic step by signing its second buy-out, with the exit of its majority sponsor and former parent company, and reorganizes around its former mezzanine lender ICG, which acquires over 95% of the capital, alongside the managers, this transaction enables Apem to strengthen its presence in key markets and to continue its development and expansion in the international market, with an ambition to strengthen its position as a leader in the human-machine interface sector, and to continue to innovate and offer customized solutions to meet the specific needs of its clients, this transaction is also characterized by an alternative financing scheme, with a corporate debt subscribed from a pool of lenders, and a mezzanine provided by ICG, for a total debt of around 2 times Ebitda, compared to a leverage of 5 to 6 in 2006, this transaction testifies to the confidence of investors in Apem and its growth and development potential. Apem is well-positioned to continue its development and expansion in the international market, with a strategy focused on quality, reliability, and performance, and a willingness to strengthen its presence in key markets.

APEM GROUP, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2023, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, a level to compare with the average currently observed in the Industry & Manufacturing sector (11.0x).

Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.

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Target

Created in 1952, APEM Group is a global manufacturer of Human-Machine Interface (HMI) solutions, providing specialized components for diverse professional applications including transport, industrial automation, medical, telecommunications, and aerospace. The Group’s product portfolio includes several million switches, joysticks, keyboards, and LED indicators supplied annually to over 20,000 clients worldwide. With 1,280 employees spread across 14 manufacturing sites and 10 sales offices, APEM operates an integrated industrial model from design to production. Its strategy centers on technical expertise and a vast global distribution network, positioning the company as a market leader in Europe for professional HMI components. Under its previous ownership by ICG, APEM focused on high-reliability solutions for harsh environments, ensuring long-term contractual visibility with major industrial OEMs globally.

Ent. Value

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Multiples

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EV / EBITDA

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EV / EBIT

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Historical Financials (EUR)

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Other operations with APEM GROUP

DateAcquirerTargetCountrySectorDeal Context
APEM GROUPUNITED KINGDOMProfessional Services

Applus+ Group acquired 100% of APEM Group. The transaction marks a transformative shift for APEM, which will now lead the Environmental Services division for the entire Applus+ organization. The deal was financed by Applus+ through a EUR350 million incremental term loan. The strategic rationale focuses on the "sustainability mega-trend," combining APEM's scientific depth with Applus+'s industrial scale to capture global demand for environmental compliance and renewable energy advisory.

APEM GROUPFRANCEIndustrial Equipment

IDEC Corporation has entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement to acquire 100% of APEM Group from Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) and the management team. The transaction was structured through a two-month bilateral process and fully financed by bank loans. DC Advisory and Daiwa Securities acted as exclusive financial advisors to IDEC. The strategic rationale for the acquisition is the creation of a global powerhouse in the HMI and industrial control space. By combining IDEC’s strength in Japan and Asia with APEM’s market leadership in Europe, the merged entity secures a highly complementary global sales network. The deal allows IDEC to expand its product line-up into specialized segments like agricultural machinery and material handling, where APEM holds unique technical expertise. Beyond commercial synergies, the groups intend to realize significant cost synergies through joint product development, unified purchasing, and the optimization of their combined 21 manufacturing facilities. This acquisition marks a transformational step in IDEC’s internationalization strategy, nearly doubling its global reach and establishing a comprehensive end-to-end HMI value chain.

REFERENCES

Revenue range: 50M - 100M EUR

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Authors: mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).

Target: apem group

Acquirer: icg