mynth
06/2018Majority

CDPQ - Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec takes majority stake in Delachaux

FRANCE Industrial Equipment / Components EV €1–10bn

Context

Officially concluded in June 2018, this transaction formalizes the exclusive agreement under which Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and the Delachaux family acquire the entire shareholding of CVC Capital Partners in Groupe Delachaux. The definitive transaction involves the full exit of CVC Capital Partners Fund V from the capital structure of Groupe Delachaux, a position held since 2011. Following this share transfer, the Delachaux family consolidates its position as the controlling majority shareholder of the group alongside CDPQ as an incoming long-term equity partner. This bilateral transaction replaces the initial public offering process that Groupe Delachaux had previously initiated in May 2018, which was consequently suspended. Under the executive leadership of Chief Executive Officer Guy Talbourdet and Chairman Stéphane Delachaux, the corporate transition provides the operational stability and strategic backing necessary to support global commercial expansion. Stéphane Etroy, Executive Vice-President and Head of Private Equity at CDPQ, steered the institutional investment for the Canadian asset manager, targeting the company's established market presence in sustainable mobility and specialized industrial efficiency. Final closing of the transaction remains subject to customary regulatory clearances and mandatory statutory consultations with the relevant employee representative works councils in accordance with French labor law. Through this buy-side partnership, Groupe Delachaux secures a stable governance framework combining family majority control with the scale of a global institutional sponsor to drive the next stage of its international industrial roadmap.

Delachaux, which reported an EBITDA margin of [members only] in 2017, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 10x–18x.

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Target

Founded in 1902, Delachaux operates as a family‑owned industrial group delivering engineering and manufacturing solutions for the railway sector and related heavy‑equipment markets. The company’s portfolio is organised around three specialized businesses: Pandrol, which designs and supplies rail‑track components and fastening systems; Conductix‑Wampfler, which provides energy‑distribution and data‑communication equipment for rail and industrial installations; and DCX Chrome, which produces high‑performance chrome‑coated metal products for demanding applications. Its client base consists primarily of owners and operators of rail infrastructure, ports, and aerospace assets, as well as manufacturers of large‑scale equipment that require durable, technically advanced components. Delachaux’s global footprint spans 34 countries, supported by a workforce of roughly 3,400 employees who combine engineering expertise with field service capabilities. The group emphasizes a business model that integrates product development, system integration and after‑sales support, allowing customers to rely on a single supplier for design, supply and lifecycle management of critical infrastructure elements. By maintaining in‑house research and development centres and a network of service hubs, Delachaux ensures rapid deployment and continuous improvement of its solutions across diverse geographic markets.

Ent. Value

€1–10bn

Equity Value

[members only]

Multiples

EV / Revenue

1x–3x

EV / EBITDA

10x–18x

EV / EBIT

[members only]

Historical Financials (EUR)

Year
Rev
EBITDA
EBIT
2017
€450–900M
€100–200M
[members only]
2016
€450–900M
€100–200M
[members only]

Other operations with Delachaux

Other operations with Delachaux
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
09/2026ANDE INVESTISSEMENTSDELACHAUXFRANCEComponents

Other operations with CDPQ - Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec

Other operations with CDPQ - Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
12/2022CDPQ - CAISSE DE DEPOT ET PLACEMENT DU QUEBECAKIEMFRANCEEquipment Rental
04/2021DWS GROUP / CDPQ - CAISSE DE DEPOT ET PLACEMENT DU QUEBECERMEWAFRANCEEquipment Rental
12/2014BC PARTNERS / CDPQ - CAISSE DE DEPOT ET PLACEMENT DU QUEBECPETSMARTUNITED STATESPet Care

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04/2017HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONOXFORD INSTRUMENTS (INDUSTRIAL ANALYSIS)UNITED KINGDOM Lab & Scientific Equipment
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REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV €1–10bn

Revenue range: €450–900M

EBITDA range: €100–200M

EV/Revenue range: 1x - 3x

EV/EBITDA range: 10x - 18x

Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of Delachaux by CDPQ - Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.

Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.

Press release: view release

Target: delachaux

FAQ

What transaction does this page cover?

This page covers the acquisition of a majority stake in Delachaux, a French company specialised in Components, by CDPQ - Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec in 2018. Ownership has since evolved, leading to a subsequent transaction with Ande Investissements in September 2026 (see the dedicated deal page for details).

How was the acquisition of Delachaux by CDPQ - Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec valued, and what multiples were paid?

mynth displays the transaction’s enterprise value within the €1–10bn band, its EV/EBITDA multiple within the 10x - 18x range, and its EV/revenue multiple within the 1x - 3x range. Exact figures are available to members.

What were Delachaux’s revenue and EBITDA at the time of the deal?

At the time of the transaction, Delachaux generated annual revenue estimated in the €450–900M range and EBITDA in the €100–200M bracket (FY 2017). Detailed financial figures are available to members.

What sources support the information on this transaction?

Information on this transaction is sourced from the official corporate announcement published by the parties, corroborated by a private document shared by the community and verified by the mynth team to ensure the accuracy of the shared information.

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