INNOVISTA (EX CST) acquired by PAI PARTNERS & THE CARLYLE GROUP
Context
The Carlyle Group and PAI Partners have entered into exclusive negotiations with Schneider Electric to acquire a majority stake in Custom Sensors & Technologies (CST). The transaction is structured on an equal basis between Carlyle Europe Partners IV and PAI Europe VI, with Schneider Electric retaining approximately 30% of the capital and the management team holding around 2%. The operation is a complex carve-out from Schneider Electric, where CST was previously a dedicated business unit. The strategic rationale for the acquisition focuses on CST's high-quality reputation and its leading position in the attractive and growing market for mission-critical sensing products. The partnership aims to create further value by leveraging the acquirers' significant experience in the industrial and aerospace sectors, as well as their operational expertise in driving growth through acquisitions. The acquisition is supported by a covenant-lite financing structure, representing nearly two-thirds of the total transaction amount. This investment marks the start of the investment periods for both Carlyle Europe Partners IV and PAI Europe VI, highlighting the strategic importance of the asset in the upper-mid to large-market European buyout space.
INNOVISTA (EX CST), which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2013, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, a level to compare with the average currently observed in the TMT (Tech, Media, Telecom) sector (14.8x).
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
InnoVista (ex Custom Sensors & Technologies) is a global specialist focused on the design and manufacturing of sensing, control, and motion products. The organization operates as a business unit providing customizable, reliable, and efficient components for mission-critical systems across a diverse range of end-markets, including industrial, aerospace, and transportation sectors. Through its portfolio of established brands, such as BEI Sensors, Crouzet, and Kavlico, the company serves specialized needs in Energy, Infrastructure, Medical, and Building Equipment markets. The business model emphasizes expertise in "mission critical" products required for complex systems in both commercial and industrial OEM segments. With a significant international presence, the entity maintains operations in more than 30 countries, positioning it as a key player in the global sensing and control industry. The company's strategy involves leveraging deep technical expertise to provide high-quality components that ensure the functionality and safety of critical industrial applications.
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Historical Financials (EUR)
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REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV 500M - 1.5b EUR
Revenue range: 250M - 500M 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).
Acquirer: the carlyle group / pai partners