WISMO GROUP (EX K.W. BRUUN) acquired by GLOBAL AUTO HOLDINGS

Global Technologies has officially completed the 100% acquisition of Novares from its previous shareholders, including Equistone Partners Europe (76.84%) and Bpifrance (14.36%). The transaction, approved by the European Commission in March 2025, marks the transition of the French group into the fold of the American First Brands group. This acquisition follows a decade of ownership by Equistone, during which Novares underwent a transformation into a global leader with over €1 billion in revenue. The strategic rationale for First Brands involves integrating Novares' specialized plastic manufacturing capabilities into its broad portfolio of automotive components. The deal strengthens First Brands' presence in the global OEM market while providing Novares with the industrial backing of a major global spare parts manufacturer. The operation was finalized under the new leadership of CEO François Sordet, ensuring management continuity as the group enters this new phase of international ownership.

JOST Werke SE has signed a definitive sale and purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the share capital of Hyva from Unitas Capital Pte. Ltd. and NWS Holdings Limited. This transformative acquisition aligns with JOST's strategy to become the premier supplier for both on-highway and off-highway commercial vehicles worldwide. By integrating Hyva, JOST significantly expands its product portfolio with smart hydraulic solutions and strengthens its foothold in high-growth infrastructure markets such as India, Asia, and Brazil. The combination creates a robust group with pro-forma sales of around EUR1.8 billion. The transaction is financed through a mix of cash and debt and is expected to generate substantial cost and revenue synergies, particularly through cross-selling opportunities across their complementary customer bases.

UI Investissement and Rhone-Alpes PME (Siparex/Caisse d'Epargne) took a majority stake (50-60%) in Antares Diffusion. The deal organizes the transition of the CEO who moves to a Chairman role, while key managers enter the capital. The strategy focuses on buy-and-build acquisitions in the energy and audiovisual niche for leisure vehicles.

The management team of Texelis organized a new MBO to reinforce their majority stake and bring in new long-term partners. This transaction replaces the previous structure set up in 2018. A consortium of six investors backed the deal: Ouest Croissance and Bpifrance's Definvest entered as new leads, while historical partners Siparex and Carvest reinvested. The goal is to support the company's growth plan to reach EUR200 million in revenue by 2028, driven by major defense contracts (Scorpion program) and innovation in electric mobility for transport. The deal is financed by a senior debt package arranged by BNP Paribas and Arkea, representing a leverage of approximately 3x EBITDA.

Patrick Industries signed a definitive agreement to acquire Sportech, LLC from Monomoy Capital Partners. This acquisition is immediately accretive to Patrick's margins and earnings per share. It represents a strategic "Secondary Buyout" where an industrial player takes over from a private equity firm to support the next phase of growth. Patrick aims to leverage its existing relationships with Powersports OEMs to cross-sell Sportech's premium cabin solutions and realize cost synergies.

Global Auto Holdings Ltd. (GAHL), an affiliate sharing ownership with Toronto-based Alpha Auto Group (AAG), has completed the acquisition of Lookers PLC through a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement. Following initial shareholder resistance over the summer, GAHL raised its cash offer per share to secure investor approval. The transaction takes the target private and marks its delisting from the London Stock Exchange. The operational perimeter encompasses a workforce of approximately 6,500 employees and an infrastructure network of 147 franchise dealerships across the United Kingdom and Ireland. The transaction marks AAG’s entry into the European automotive retail market. Prior to the acquisition, AAG's geographic footprint was limited to 15 large-scale vehicle dealerships across Canada and the United States. By acquiring Lookers, the group absorbs an established, century-old distributor of new and used vehicles, light vans, and aftermarket services. The post-closing industrial thesis focuses on geographic diversification and expanding global market share, positioning the combined entity to leverage Lookers' existing platform amidst broader consolidation within the British automotive retail sector.

AUO Corporation has finalized the 100% equity acquisition of BHTC. This strategic transaction marks a milestone in AUO's evolution into a Tier 1 automotive supplier, effectively merging its leadership in display technology with BHTC's expertise in climate control and HMI systems. The operation was cleared by all relevant national authorities following a definitive agreement reached in late 2023. The rationale for the acquisition is focused on three strategic pillars: product diversification, customer-centric resilience, and global operation deployment. By integrating BHTC's climate control expertise with AUO's advanced Micro LED and cockpit display solutions, the combined entity aims to offer a holistic "smart cockpit" portfolio to international automakers. This vertical integration allows AUO to bypass traditional supply chain layers and interact directly with global OEMs, gaining early market insights and enhancing its competitive positioning. Furthermore, BHTC's established manufacturing and R&D footprint in Europe and India complements AUO's strong Asian and North American presence, creating a balanced geographical portfolio and a more resilient localized supply chain. This merger is expected to significantly increase AUO's automotive revenue share while accelerating its mission to become a dominant solutions provider in the global smart mobility services market.

Plastic Omnium has signed an agreement with Varroc Engineering Limited to acquire 100% of its automotive lighting business, Varroc Lighting Systems (VLS). This carve-out transaction comes at a time when the target company is experiencing financial difficulties, as evidenced by its EBITDA margin turning negative in 2021. The transaction was financed entirely in cash. The transaction was fully self-financed in cash and includes VLS operations in Europe, the Americas, North Africa, and an R&D center in India. The strategic rationale for the acquisition is to position Plastic Omnium as a major global player in the automotive lighting market (a segment projected to reach ~$42bn by 2027). By combining VLS with the recently acquired AMLS (ams OSRAM Automotive Lighting Systems), Plastic Omnium has created a new Lighting division with pro-forma annual revenues of approximately €1 billion. This integration allows the Group to provide "end-to-end" exterior systems that merge lighting with bumpers and body panels, enhancing cross-selling opportunities and design flexibility for OEMs. Plastic Omnium has implemented a detailed turnaround plan for VLS, focusing on operational excellence, cash optimization, and quality processes to bring its profitability in line with Group standards. The acquisition is expected to be EPS accretive within 12-24 months, transforming Plastic Omnium into a comprehensive solutions provider for the smart mobility era.

Pozeo’s management, led by Nicolas Chauveau Pégaz and supported by Vincent Lejeune, took control of the group through a management buyout structured with Bpifrance (via France Investissement Tourisme 2) and Société Générale Capital Partenaires (with minority stakes). The strategic rationale was anchored in both a generational succession plan and a platform expansion strategy. Since 2017, Pozeo had broadened its scope beyond cinema‑focused vouchers to include general gift cheques, event tickets, marketing and event‑related services, and externalized committee‑enterprise solutions, reflecting a deliberate shift toward diversified lifestyle and employee‑benefit offerings. The MBO allowed the family‑linked management team to regain control while also giving the group access to long‑term institutional capital for further development. The integration of Nouvelle Lune in 2019 had already demonstrated the company’s ability to transform cinema‑centric origins into a wider gift and benefits platform, and the ownership change reinforced that trajectory.

Plastic Omnium has finalized the acquisition of 100% of AMLS (Automotive Lighting Systems) from ams OSRAM. The transaction, initially announced in March 2022, was completed for an enterprise value of �65 million, fully self-financed by the group. As of July 1, 2022, AMLS is consolidated into Plastic Omnium's financial accounts.