Havea acquired by BC Partners
Context
BC Partners, a European private equity firm, acquired a majority stake in Havea from 3i and Cathay Capital. The transaction is structured as a new Leveraged Buy‑Out, with BC Partners XI—the firm’s 11th flagship fund, closed at about EUR 5.3 billion—taking the lead and bringing in co‑investors PSP Investments from Canada and NPS Investment Management from South Korea as minority partners. 3i and Cathay Capital fully exit the position, while the management team led by CEO Nicolas Brodetsky reinvests alongside the new sponsors, aligning incentives for a second turn of value creation. Havea, formerly known as Ponroy Santé, had grown its revenue from a much lower base in 2017 to over EUR 212 million in 2021, with EBITDA rising to above EUR 70 million, driven by a double‑digit organic growth profile and a series of bolt‑on acquisitions that reshaped the group around five flagship brands: Aragan, Biolane, Densmore, Dermovitamina, and Vitavea. The board attributes the deal’s compelling valuation to favorable macro tailwinds in natural health, consumer‑healthcare structuring led by large pharmaceutical groups, and a strong, diversified brand portfolio with clear potential for European expansion.
It is worth noting that the fund 3I / Cathay Capital took control of Havea through an LBO in 2016.
Havea, which reported an EBITDA margin of [members only] in 2022, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 15x–25x, representing a premium to the average observed in the Retail & Consumer sector (11.4x in 2022).
-> Deep-dive in Retail & Consumer market trends
Target
Havea is a French consumer‑health company focused on natural health and wellness products, including dietary supplements, cosmetics, baby care, and certain medical devices. Based in Boufféré, Loire‑Atlantique, and with roots going back to the former Ponroy Santé, the group has grown into a leading national player in the natural‑health space, driven by a portfolio of five core brands: Aragan, Biolane, Densmore, Dermovitamina, and Vitavea. The company operates a diversified multi‑channel model, with a strong presence in pharmacy networks and direct‑to‑consumer channels, leveraging both traditional retail and digital touchpoints to reach end‑consumers. Over the 2017–2021 period, Havea more than doubled its revenue to about EUR 212 million, combining high‑teens organic growth with a disciplined bolt‑on M&A strategy that added Laboratoires Laudavie and IXX Pharma, among others, to its platform.
Ent. Value
€1–10bn
Equity Value
[members only]
Multiples
EV / Revenue
[members only]
EV / EBITDA
15x–25x
EV / EBIT
[members only]
Historical Financials (EUR)
Other operations with Havea
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/2016 | 3I / CATHAY CAPITAL | HAVEA | FRANCE | Hygiene & Beauty Brands |
Other operations with BC Partners
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/2026 | BC PARTNERS | INFORLIFE | SWITZERLAND | CDMO |
| 03/2026 | BC PARTNERS | FORTIDIA | ITALY | Warehousing / 3PL |
| 07/2025 | BC PARTNERS | BIOGARAN | FRANCE | Pharma & Biotech |
| 06/2025 | BC PARTNERS | IGS GEBOJAGEMA | NETHERLANDS | Machine Tools |
| 02/2025 | BC PARTNERS | PETLAB | UNITED KINGDOM | Pet Care |
| 07/2022 | BC PARTNERS / BAIN CAPITAL | FEDRIGONI GROUP | ITALY | Labels & Adhesives |
| 08/2021 | BC PARTNERS / CPPIB (CANADA PENSION PLAN INVESTMENT BOARD) | CERAMTEC | GERMANY | Glass & Ceramics |
| 02/2021 | BC PARTNERS | IMA GROUP | ITALY | Robotics & Automation |
| 01/2020 | BC PARTNERS | PASTICCERIA BINDI | ITALY | Food Products |
| 08/2019 | BC PARTNERS | PRESIDIO | UNITED STATES | Consulting & Integration |
Similar deals in Consumer Products
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/2022 | MAPED | JURATOYS | FRANCE | Consumer Products |
| 07/2022 | EMOSIA GROUP | MY JOLIE CANDLE | FRANCE | Home & DIY |
| 04/2022 | NEXT PLC / DAVIDSON KEMPNER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT | JOJO MAMAN BEBE | UNITED KINGDOM | Fashion & Apparel |
| 03/2022 | QUILVEST CAPITAL PARTNERS | LES SECRETS DE LOLY | FRANCE | Hygiene & Beauty Brands |
| 01/2022 | KKR | ACCELL GROUP | NETHERLANDS | Cycling & Micromobility |
| 01/2022 | EMBRACER GROUP | ASMODEE GROUP | FRANCE | Consumer Products |
| 12/2021 | CVC / HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS | AUTHENTIC BRANDS GROUP | UNITED STATES | Fashion & Apparel |
| 10/2021 | ARDIAN | KAPTEN & SO | GERMANY | Fashion & Apparel |
| 08/2021 | AUTHENTIC BRANDS GROUP | REEBOK INTERNATIONAL | UNITED STATES | Other Sports |
| 07/2021 | HLD | JIMMY FAIRLY | FRANCE | Fashion & Apparel |
REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV €1–10bn
EBITDA range: €50–100M
EV/EBITDA range: 15x - 25x
Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of Havea by BC Partners 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: havea
Acquirer: bc partners
FAQ
What transaction does this page cover?
How was the acquisition of Havea by BC Partners valued, and what multiples were paid?
What was Havea’s EBITDA at the time of the deal?
How does the valuation of Havea compare to benchmarks in the Retail & Consumer sector?
What sources support the information on this transaction?
What is mynth?