JM TRYKLUFT acquired by LOXAM

Grafton Group has successfully finalized the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of the target, marking its first entry into the Finnish market and establishing a significant presence in the Nordic region. This strategic transaction represents a pivotal step in the acquirer's international development strategy, specifically targeting high-growth technical wholesale sectors with resilient defensive characteristics. The strategic rationale for the move centers on the acquisition of a high-quality platform that broadens the group’s market position into specialized segments such as personal protective equipment and professional tools.

PAI Partners has finalized a strategic minority investment in Apave Group, marking the first time the organization has opened its capital to an outside institutional partner. GAPAVE, the historical association governing the group, remains the primary shareholder as it transitions toward a foundation structure. This transaction was notably concluded without immediate debt leverage at entry, reflecting a high-equity commitment to support long-term development. The investment thesis for the partnership is the acceleration of Apave’s 2025 development plan, aiming to position the entity among the top five global players in the TIC sector. Key growth axes include a proactive internationalization strategy and the reinforcement of activities in non-regulatory inspection and high-margin certification services. The capital injection provides a significant investment envelope intended for strategic build-ups, with several international targets already identified. Furthermore, the collaboration will leverage PAI’s operational expertise to modernize the group’s digital tools, information systems, and CSR initiatives. This transformation is designed to pivot Apave from a French-centric regulatory body into a diversified, technology-driven global powerhouse serving the industrial, energy, and infrastructure markets.

Loxam acquired 100% of Maskinslussen to densify its network in Sweden, specifically in the western part of the country. This acquisition added 3 branches to Loxam's existing Swedish operations. The deal allowed Loxam to integrate 35 employees and a high-quality fleet, strengthening its competitive position in the Swedish industrial heartland.

TowerBrook acquired Uperio from LFPI. This follows a successful consolidation phase where LFPI merged Matebat and Arcomet in 2019 to create a global champion. The transaction was funded by senior debt from CA CIB and BPCE. The management is led by Philippe Cohet (ex-Potain).

This strategic acquisition involves the full takeover of a premier global provider of assurance services from its previous private equity owner, Baring Private Equity Asia. The transaction is designed to significantly scale the acquirer's business assurance division, particularly within capital-light and high-margin segments that address the increasing corporate focus on risk-based quality assurance following global supply chain disruptions. The rationale for the move centers on achieving critical mass in key geographic markets, notably Australia, the United Kingdom, and North America, while accelerating growth in the Asian market. By integrating the target's specialized capabilities in food, agriculture, and quick-service restaurant audits, the group broadens its technical expertise in safety-critical industries. Furthermore, the combination creates significant operational synergies by leveraging an extensive global customer base and a shared commitment to total quality assurance. The partnership aligns with long-term trends toward supply chain transparency and sustainability verification, positioning the organization to meet the heightened demands of global stakeholders for mission-critical risk mitigation. This integration reinforces the group's leadership in the assurance landscape, facilitating the delivery of end-to-end systemic quality solutions to a highly diverse international clientele.

SNCF sold its 100% stake in Ermewa to a consortium composed of CDPQ and DWS. This major infrastructure transaction allows the group to reduce the its debt.

QCapital acquired a 42.5% stake in Venpa for EUR15 million. This primary LBO was designed to professionalize the family-owned business (Pege and Piovan families) and launch an aggressive "buy-and-build" strategy. Between 2021 and 2024, Venpa's revenue grew from EUR40M to EUR100M through multiple acquisitions (Nolotecnica, Torinoleggi, Loca Top).

Ardian has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in GBA Group, partnering with the existing management team and Quadriga Capital. This transaction follows a period of significant growth under the previous ownership, during which the target successfully institutionalized its platform and expanded its geographic reach through targeted acquisitions. The strategic rationale for the new partnership is to further accelerate the target,s international buy,and,build strategy, leveraging the acquirer,s extensive network in the TIC sector. The investment will focus on enhancing the company's core business, expanding into new high,growth markets, and maintaining a commitment to operational excellence. By combining the target,s scientific expertise with the acquirer,s financial strength and global reach, the group aims to solidify its competitive position as a leading bioanalytical service provider in Europe, focusing on the highly resilient food and pharmaceutical end markets.

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice has completed the acquisition of Wolseley UK from its former parent company, Ferguson plc (LSE: FERG). This strategic carve-out allows Ferguson to focus exclusively on its North American operations while providing Wolseley with the dedicated capital and operating capabilities needed to accelerate its growth in the UK market. The investment marks CD&R’s 12th industrial distribution investment in a decade, signaling a strong belief in Wolseley’s platform as an "inflection point" for operating improvements and future inorganic expansion. Under the new ownership, the company is led by CEO Simon Oakland and Chairman Bruno Deschamps (former COO of Ecolab), focusing on building an entrepreneurial culture and pursuing a "buy and build" strategy to consolidate the UK's plumbing and heating distribution landscape.

Apax Partners and Bpifrance have entered into an exclusive agreement to acquire a majority stake in BTP Consultants Group, marking a pivotal primary LBO and management transmission. The transaction facilitates the handover from the founder to a new leadership team, which is reinvesting significantly alongside the institutional shareholders. This transition includes an expansion of the employee shareholding base, increasing the number of management-shareholders from six to over twenty. The transaction is driven by the strategic objective of transitioning the group into a national leader through a combined strategy of organic growth and targeted external consolidation. Key development axes include the reinforcement of high-potential segments such as energy renovation, energy diagnostics, and BIM-integrated project management. With the support of its new partners, the organization aims to pursue a proactive build-up strategy to enter new geographic regions and acquire complementary technical expertises, specifically in carbon performance and civil engineering inspection. The operation is supported by a unitranche debt facility designed to provide the group with the financial flexibility required to meet its ambitious scaling objectives while maintaining a focus on technical excellence and customer-centric innovation.