Sicame
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Sicame

Sicame, an independent global manufacturer of connection equipment for the transmission and distribution of electricity.

Founded in 1955, Sicame has established a global market presence, employing some 3,100 employees across 26 countries. The group designs, manufactures and sells a complete range of core transmission and distribution network accessories including mechanical and electrical connectors, which are essential to utilities when building or maintaining electrical networks.

In December 2009, Equistone originally backed Sicame as a minority shareholder, through its Fund III, supporting its plans for expansion, which resulted in Sicame completing 10 acquisitions in several geographies. Furthermore, Equistone backed a transition in management, with Vincent Roy, a former managing director of the group, rejoining as CEO in 2015 following the retirement of the former CEO. Additionally, a new CFO and HR director were also recruited. In February 2016, Equistone acquired majority stake in Sicame through its Fund V, alongside the founding family, Crédit du Nord, other individual investors and the management team. 

Both transactions were supported by all the major shareholders, and offered attractive liquidity solutions after Fund III and Fund V’s holding periods. Equistone’s Advisory Committee approved the actual and potential conflicts of interest inherent in both transactions.

VALUE CREATION

Equistone has worked alongside the management team to support plans for organic and external growth, with Sicame completing seven add-on acquisitions during the investment period.

In the US, Sicame acquired California-based Kortick in June 2020, a manufacturer of electrical products and equipment for use in overhead and underground electrical networks, and ASK Power in January 2016, a producer of industrial connectors.

Further geographical expansion has been achieved through the acquisitions of COMULSA in Chile, Şafak Eletrik in Turkey, Skelt in Portugal and most recently through the acquisition of UK-based insulated tool manufacturer, Boddingtons which was acquired in August 2021.

Today, Sicame manufacturers over 20,000 products in more than 170 countries across Europe, North and South America, as well as Asia and Australia.

Since investment, revenue has increased from €354m at acquisition to €460m for the financial year ending 31 December 2021, with 63% of turnover generated outside of France.

THE EXIT

Equistone exited its Fund V majority investment in Sicame to a Single-Asset Continuation Fund (SACF). The lead investor in the SACF is Alpinvest Partners, with a number of other existing Equistone investors also choosing to reinvest in the vehicle. Additionally, the Equistone Reinvestment Fund has made an investment into the SACF as a limited partner.

HOLDING PERIOD

Feb 2016 - Jul 2022

Country

France

Sector

Industrials

Revenue Progression

€354m / €460m

Employees at ACQ.

2,400

Investment Type

Primary MBO

Equistone created a favourable environment, alongside the founding family members, for the development of the Sicame Group.

ADD-ON ACQUISITIONS

Power Line Sentry
Feb 2023
Pro-EL
Jan 2023
Boddingtons
Aug 2021
Kortick
Jun 2020
Skelt
Feb 2020
Comulsa
Sep 2019
Şafak Eletrik
Jul 2019
eeSmart
Jan 2019
Seifel-Claved
Apr 2017
ASK POWER
Jan 2016
Nortroll
Nov 2012
Well Step
Mar 2012
WRP Tooling
2012
Epis
2011
Balimar
2011
Presel
2011
Ajax
2010
WT Henley
2010
Dervaux
2010
Protection Foudre
2010
Duval Messien
2010
Electro Fitting
2009