New investment funds take a stake in Wichard
The Wichard Group, head of the Wichard, Lorima, Sparcraft, Profurl, Facnor, Peguet and Courant brands, is changing its core shareholder. It has announced the departure of the Naxicap fund, present since 2017, in favor of a quartet of banking and institutional funds. These are the Azulis Capital fund, alongside Société Générale Capital Partenaires, Arkéa Capital, Crédit Mutuel Arkea's private equity subsidiary, and the Fonds Souverain Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, the group's headquarters being located in Thiers, in the region. At the same time, the management team, led by Chairman Jean-Claude Ibos and Group Managing Director Fabrice Didden, has increased its shareholding to 30%.
Accelerate external growth strategy
The Wichard Group, which in 2022 will employ 325 people and generate sales of 63 million euros across all its brands and activities in fittings, rigging, rope-making and industrial parts, has 9 industrial sites. After its most recent acquisition, the rope-maker Courant, the yachting equipment manufacturer has no intention of stopping there, and is planning further external growth operations, with two international projects currently under consideration. Chairman Jean-Claude Ibos explains: "We are in phase on the implementation of a strategy that will enable us to continue to drive the Group forward, for the satisfaction of our customers and employees. We want to continue to create value while remaining in line with the evolution of human and societal values."
