GERFLOR acquired by COBEPA
Context
Cobepa S.A. has acquired a majority stake in Gerflor SAS from Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) and other shareholders, including Credit Mutuel Equity. Following the transaction, ICG (which had owned the company since 2011) will retain a significant minority stake. The deal was finalized in late January 2020 after receiving approval from the European Commission. The strategic rationale for the acquisition is to strengthen Gerflor’s market leadership and accelerate its international expansion, particularly in North America and Asia. Under ICG’s previous ownership, the company more than doubled its revenues, reaching the €1 billion milestone through a mix of organic growth and strategic bolt-on acquisitions. The new ownership structure under Cobepa is designed to provide the long-term capital necessary to pursue further external growth and leverage Gerflor’s expertise in high-growth niches like sports and healthcare flooring.
In the past, the company had already been the subject of several LBOs, notably led by Ardian in 2006 and Icg in 2011. These multiple LBO cycles illustrate the strong appeal for this type of asset.
GERFLOR, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2019, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a level LOGIN the average currently observed in the Industry & Manufacturing sector (11.2x).
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
Gerflor is a global leader in the manufacturing and distribution of decorative and eco-responsible solutions for resilient flooring and interior finishes. The organization operates as a multi-specialist, managing a portfolio of world-renowned brands such as Mipolam, Taralay, and Taraflex. The entity serves diverse end-markets, including residential, healthcare, education, and sports, while maintaining a dominant position in the transportation flooring sector (aviation and buses). Founded in France, the company counts over 4,200 employees and distributes products in more than 100 countries. With 70% of its sales generated in Europe, the firm is the co-leader of the European resilient flooring market. Its business model is driven by continuous innovation and a commitment to increasing recyclable content in its industrial processes.
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Historical Financials (EUR)
Other operations with GERFLOR
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector | Deal Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/2011 | ICG | GERFLOR | FRANCE | Chemicals & Materials | Gerflor has been acquired by Intermediate Capital Group (ICG), a major transaction in the European flooring market that is expected to be finalized by the end of March 2011. ICG's investment in Gerflor is the outcome of a long-standing relationship between the two companies, with ICG having invested in Gerflor since 1992 |
| 10/2006 | ARDIAN | GERFLOR | FRANCE | Chemicals & Materials | The acquisition of Gerflor by Axa PE (now Ardian) marks a defining milestone for the company, culminating in a tertiary LBO structure. Actively led by Axa PE as the lead sponsor, the transaction secures a majority stake in the business, equipping Gerflor with the requisite financial firepower to accelerate its overarching growth strategy |
REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV 1b - 4b EUR
Revenue range: 750M - 1.3b EUR
EBITDA range: 100M - 200M EUR
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Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).
Target: gerflor
Acquirer: cobepa