SIGMA TRE acquired by PHENNA GROUP

Chequers Capital, in partnership with management, has acquired Groupe Aserti from Parquest Capital in a fourth LBO transaction. Negotiated on a bilateral basis without an auction, the deal ensures continuity under CEO Pierre Brisset, who took over in 2020 after founder Jean-Louis Gaertner retired. Financing includes senior debt from a pool led by CIC Ouest alongside Crédit Agricole du Morbihan, Caisse d’Epargne Bretagne Pays de Loire, and Arkéa, plus mezzanine debt from CIC Private Debt. The transaction transfers a platform of over 380 employees, 28 facilities in France and Germany, and 10,000 active industrial clients. The acquisition backs a European leader in industrial electronic repair and metrology. Under Parquest, Aserti refocused on its core activities and expanded its metrology division via three bolt-ons: Multisys (2022), MI Métrologie (2024), and Precitek (2025). Chequers Capital aims to drive growth across three pillars: accelerating historical electronic repair with reconditioned products, strengthening its top-three metrology position in France, and expanding its network internationally within Germany and broader Europe.

Grafton Group PLC has agreed to acquire the entire share capital of the Spanish Mercaluz Group. This transaction follows Grafton's recent entry into the region via the acquisition of Salvador Escoda, effectively creating an Iberian HVAC powerhouse with combined annualized sales of c. €400 million. The strategic rationale for the deal is the integration of a high-growth, high-margin distributor that utilizes a hub-based delivery model, offering distinct operational synergies with Grafton's traditional branch-based networks. By securing the European rights to the "Johnson" brand through this acquisition, Grafton gains a proprietary product edge in the fast-growing climate control segment. The deal is timed to capitalize on Spain's position as one of Europe's top-performing economies, with the construction sector forecast to grow by 3% to 4% in 2026. The partnership is designed to maintain the existing management team and its 330 employees, ensuring continuity while providing the financial backing of a multinational group to accelerate organic expansion across the Iberian Peninsula and beyond.

Emagine has completed the 100% acquisition of the Dutch consultancy Waada The Movement, following a preliminary agreement reached in January 2026. The transaction fully integrates Waada’s specialized brands, Prowareness and DevOn, into emagine’s unified global operating model. The strategic rationale for the deal is to strengthen emagine's ability to execute complex digital transformation programs by combining strategic advisory with deep engineering capacity. Notably, the acquisition triples emagine’s engineering presence in India, providing the scale required for global enterprise programs. This move addresses the increasing market demand for faster execution speed, clearer accountability, and measurable outcomes in AI and data-driven transitions.

Vulcain Engineering Group has acquired a majority stake in Incico. The current CEO and key management have reinvested to retain a minority stake and will continue to lead the company. Historical shareholder Giovanni Monini sold his stake but remains as VP of Business Development. Ten other managers also entered the capital structure. This acquisition serves as Vulcain's strategic entry point into the Italian market, with plans to double Incico's Italian revenue to EUR50m within three years.

Parquest has acquired a minority stake in Betem Groupe to support its next phase of expansion. The group's management team, led by Chairman & CEO Philippe Mercier, remains the majority shareholder, ensuring operational continuity and strategic independence. This transaction was structured to provide the group with a strong financial partner to fuel an ambitious growth trajectory, combining organic development in core engineering businesses with the selective acquisition of specialized firms to broaden technical capabilities. The partnership also facilitates the extension of equity ownership to a wider circle of the company's managers.

H.I.G. Capital has completed the acquisition of a 73.78% majority stake in ALA from AIP Italia (the vehicle of founders Fulvio Scannapieco and Vittorio Genna). In a secondary transaction finalized in June 2025, H.I.G. also secured an additional 4.54% stake from Smart Capital and Smart ALA, bringing its total control close to 80% prior to the mandatory tender offer. The strategic rationale is to delist the company from the Borsa Italiana (Euronext Growth Milan) to facilitate an ambitious international development plan. As part of the deal structure, the founding families have reinvested to retain a 30% stake in the top holding vehicle (Wing HoldCo), ensuring management continuity. Following the completion of the 73.78% acquisition in October 2025, H.I.G. launched a mandatory takeover bid (OPA) to acquire the remaining floating shares and proceed with the delisting.

SYSTRA has announced the 100% acquisition of the Australian engineering firm BG&E. This strategic transaction significantly strengthens SYSTRA’s presence in Australia and New Zealand, where the combined entity will now employ over 1,000 staff. The rationale for the deal is twofold: first, to capture growth in one of the world's most active infrastructure markets; second, to create a new global business unit dedicated to "Complex Buildings". By integrating BG&E’s 800 employees and its international offices in Singapore, the UAE, and the UK, SYSTRA is scaling its multidisciplinary engineering services. This network will now include over 700 specialists worldwide, enabling SYSTRA to compete on a global stage for large-scale building projects beyond its traditional transport-related core.

Bufab AB has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire approximately 99% of Novia Group from the German investment company Family Trust. To ensure long-term performance alignment, the deal includes a performance-based earn-out of up to €10 million, payable between 2026 and 2028. Following the closing, Managing Director Markus Bauer will retain a 1% minority stake and continue to lead the company as a separate business unit within Bufab’s "Europe West" region. The strategic rationale for this platform acquisition is to add specialized global sourcing and "cost-down" engineering capabilities to Bufab’s portfolio. Novia Group brings a highly attractive position in the value chain, particularly through its assembly services and its exposure to high-growth sectors like MedTech and Solar. The deal is expected to be immediately accretive, as Novia’s operating margins significantly exceed Bufab’s internal 2026 profitability targets. For Bufab, the acquisition offers a foundation for further add-on acquisitions in the fragmented German sourcing market. For Novia Group, joining Bufab provides access to a global distribution network and industry-leading best practices while allowing the team to scale its specialized sourcing mission across a broader international customer base.

SYSTRA has announced the 100% acquisition of Ardanuy Ingeniería to strengthen its technical capabilities and market presence in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. This operation follows SYSTRA's successful 2023 integration of Subterra and marks a major step in building a comprehensive engineering hub for the Iberian and Hispanic markets. The strategic rationale for the deal is to create technical synergies in railway systems and infrastructure, while securing a workforce of 350 highly skilled professionals. The combined entity will manage a portfolio of landmark projects, including the metros of Santiago, Bogota, Panama, and Madrid, as well as high-speed rail projects in Portugal and Spain. This alliance positions SYSTRA as the go-to partner for public and private transit authorities seeking to develop high-performance, sustainable transport infrastructures.

Loxam acquired Toscana Noleggi to strengthen its position in Central Italy. This acquisition integrates a high-quality fleet and an experienced team into Loxam's existing Italian network. It allows Loxam to provide better coverage in the Tuscany region, complementing its historical presence in the North of the country (following the acquisition of Nove in 2017).