Paris-based investment firm Wendel Investissement has agreed to acquire US-based Deutsch Group, a provider of connectors used in aeronautics, defence, heavy vehicles and oil exploration, for $1.04 billion (€829 million).
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We now have an investment team that is strong enough to be able to look at opportunities both in and outside of France.
Wendel was advised by Lazard Frères, Linklaters, O’Melveny & Myers, Ernst & Young, Bain & Company, Environ and Aon on the transaction. Financing was provided by the Royal Bank of Scotland and JP Morgan.
Closing of the transaction is conditional upon the approval of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and the US, French and German competition authorities.
Jean-Bernard Lafonta, CEO of Wendel, said in a conference call that the acquisition showed the firm’s willingness to extend its investment strategy abroad. “We now have an investment team that is strong enough to be able to look at opportunities both in and outside of France,” said Lafonta.
Founded in the US in 1938, Deutsch Group is currently present in 25 countries, with main markets in the US, France and Great Britain. The company employs 3,500 staff worldwide, through ten production sites, and reported turnover of $500 million in 2005.
Lafonta added that Wendel plans to maintain the company’s focus on organic growth as well as consider some bolt-on acquisitions.
Last month, Wendel reported that, following the 30x oversubscribed flotation of French electrical equipment manufacturer Legrand and the purchase of building materials company Materis in a €2.1 billion transaction, it would have approximately €1 billion available for acquisitions.
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