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05/2017100%

Iph Group acquired by Advent International

FRANCE Industrial Services / Industrial & Technical Distribution EV €1–10bn

Context

Advent International has acquired IPH from PAI Partners as part of a private equity transaction aimed at creating a leading European distributor of industrial supplies. The deal follows several years of steady growth under PAI's ownership, during which IPH was transformed into a pan-European B2B technical distribution platform. The acquisition is part of Advent's sector consolidation strategy, which previously involved taking UK-based distributor Brammer private. The goal was to merge the two groups, creating a premier European player with combined revenues exceeding €2.1 billion. The two companies' operations exhibited strong geographic complementarity and converging product and service offerings. Through this transaction, Advent aimed to establish a pan-European platform capable of addressing the growing needs of industrial customers in terms of procurement, maintenance, and supply chain optimization. The combination of IPH and Brammer was expected to generate commercial, operational, and logistical synergies while strengthening negotiating power with international suppliers.

Iph Group, which reported an EBITDA margin of [members only] in 2016, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 10x–18x.

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Target

IPH Group is a leading European distributor of industrial supplies and technical solutions for manufacturing companies, industrial maintenance operators, and engineering professionals. Founded in 1987, the group has evolved around a multi-brand model, leveraging strongly established national networks in their respective markets. The company offers a broad range of technical products, including bearings, mechanical transmission, pneumatic and hydraulic equipment, tools, personal protective equipment, and supplies for industrial maintenance and production. Its value proposition is built on close proximity to industrial customers, specialized technical support, and the ability to deliver tailored solutions that meet the operational needs of its clients.

Ent. Value

€1–10bn

Equity Value

[members only]

Multiples

EV / Revenue

below 1.5x

EV / EBITDA

10x–18x

EV / EBIT

[members only]

Historical Financials (EUR)

Year
Rev
EBITDA
EBIT
2016
€1–10bn
€100–200M
[members only]
2015
€1–10bn
€100–200M
[members only]

Other operations with Iph Group

Other operations with Iph Group
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
03/2013PAI PARTNERSIPH GROUPFRANCEIndustrial & Technical Distribution
06/2006INVESTCORPIPH GROUPFRANCEIndustrial & Technical Distribution

Other operations with Advent International

Other operations with Advent International
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
05/2025ADVENT INTERNATIONALKEREISFRANCEBrokerage
06/2023ADVENT INTERNATIONALPARFUMS MARLY & INITIOFRANCEHygiene & Beauty Brands
01/2023IRCA / ADVENT INTERNATIONALKERRY SWEET INGREDIENTSIRELANDIngredients
04/2022ADVENT INTERNATIONALIRCAITALYIngredients
11/2021ADVENT INTERNATIONAL / PERMIRA / CROSSPOINT CAPITAL PARTNERSMCAFEEUNITED STATESSoftware
10/2021ADVENT INTERNATIONAL / EURAZEOPLANET PAYMENTIRELANDFintech & Payments
02/2020ADVENT INTERNATIONAL / CINVENTKE (THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR)GERMANYSpecial Machinery
04/2018ADVENT INTERNATIONALCIRCETFRANCEIT Services
03/2014ADVENT INTERNATIONAL / ATP PEP / BAIN CAPITALNETSDENMARKFintech & Payments
03/2011ADVENT INTERNATIONALPARTNER IN PET FOOD (PPF)HUNGARYPetfood

Similar deals in Industrial Services

Similar deals in Industrial Services
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
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06/2017PARQUEST CAPITALACCES INDUSTRIEFRANCEEquipment Rental
05/2017ARDIANASSYSTEM GLOBAL PRODUCT SOLUTIONSFRANCEEngineering & Consulting
02/2017LOXAMHUNESPAINEquipment Rental
06/2016ALLIANCE AUTOMOTIVE GROUPBUSCHGERMANYIndustrial & Technical Distribution
04/2016ARDIANTRIGOFRANCETIC (Testing, Inspection, Certification)
01/2016ALLIANCE AUTOMOTIVE GROUPELECTRO DIESEL SERVICEFRANCEIndustrial & Technical Distribution
12/2015KKRLGC GROUPUNITED KINGDOMTIC (Testing, Inspection, Certification)
12/2015BRIDGEPOINTELEMENT MATERIALS TECHNOLOGYUNITED KINGDOMTIC (Testing, Inspection, Certification)
10/2015MBO+EMAGINEDENMARKEngineering & Consulting

REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV €1–10bn

Revenue range: €1–10bn

EBITDA range: €100–200M

EV/Revenue range: below 1.5x

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 Iph Group by Advent International 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.

FAQ

What transaction does this page cover?

This page covers Advent International’s acquisition of 100% of Iph Group, a French company specialised in Industrial & Technical Distribution, in 2017. This followed an earlier holding cycle initiated in March 2013, when the company was acquired by PAI Partners.

How was the acquisition of Iph Group by Advent International 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 below 1.5x range. Exact figures are available to members.

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

At the time of the transaction, Iph Group generated annual revenue estimated in the €1–10bn range and EBITDA in the €100–200M bracket (FY 2016). Detailed financial figures are available to members.

What sources support the information on this transaction?

Transaction intelligence is supported by independent reporting from specialized financial publications, alongside a private document shared by the community and verified by the mynth team to ensure the accuracy of the shared information.

What is mynth?

mynth is the first free M&A database dedicated to Small & Mid-Cap transactions. We centralize Enterprise Values, revenue multiples, EBITDA multiples and transaction financials that are typically locked behind five-figure subscriptions on platforms like Capital IQ or Mergermarket. On mynth, searching and browsing deals is completely free. Our mission is simple: make professional-grade valuation intelligence accessible to every M&A advisor, independent consultant, Private Equity professional and student, without the burden of expensive annual licenses.