Context
Abenex has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Tethys, a French specialist in pyromechanical systems, through its second small-cap fund. This transaction represents a secondary leveraged buyout, facilitating a complete exit for the previous majority shareholders, which included a group of business angels operating as a search fund and Bpifrance's Definvest fund. The deal was the outcome of a competitive six-month auction process, primarily targeting financial sponsors, which saw Abenex emerge as the successful bidder against other private equity firms. The existing management team, led by President Philippe Saussol, has demonstrated strong confidence in the company's future by reinvesting significantly in the new structure. Bpifrance is also participating in the new chapter by reinvesting through a regional vehicle and its dedicated defense-focused retail fund. The strategic rationale for the acquisition is to accelerate Tethys’s growth trajectory, with the goal of substantially increasing its size over the next five years. Abenex plans to support this expansion by strengthening the commercial team, expanding production facilities, and pursuing a targeted buy-and-build strategy to establish Tethys as an independent European leader in its niche. The investment is underpinned by favorable market dynamics, including rising investment in the defense, space, and critical energy infrastructure sectors.
TETHYS, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2025, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a LOGIN to the average currently observed in the Industry & Manufacturing sector (11.2x).
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
Tethys, established in 2004, is a recognized European specialist in the design, assembly, and production of pyromechanical systems and components for critical applications. The company operates within a highly specialized niche market characterized by demanding reliability standards and significant barriers to entry. Its core business serves major industrial clients in the defense, aerospace, and security sectors, including prominent names such as MBDA, Naval Group, ArianeGroup, and Safran. The company distinguishes itself from larger, vertically integrated corporations and consortiums by its position as an agile and independent player, which enhances its strategic value and attractiveness to partners. Tethys’s business model is built on securing long-term industrial programs, where it often serves as the exclusive "single source" provider. These contracts typically span ten to twenty years, ensuring a high degree of revenue recurrence and long-term commercial visibility. The company's expertise is crucial for systems where absolute operational success is non-negotiable, cementing its role as a key supplier within the European industrial base for strategic technologies. Its operations are based in the Var region of France.
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Historical Financials (EUR)
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REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV 20M - 50M EUR
Revenue range: 5M - 25M EUR
EBITDA range: 0M - 5M 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).
Press release: view release
Target: tethys