/News

Azulis Capital has organised a MBO deal for the Ital Express group with the support of its management.

 Ital Express is a distance-selling specialist in spare parts for trucking, tractors and utility vehicles. It is one of the leading independent parts distribution players in France dedicated to clientele of garages, mechanics, agents, dealers, carriers, corporate and public authorities.

 The group built its success on a combination of strong technical know-how and a proven logistics expertise to provide its customers with a 24-hour delivery service right across France from a single site in Chalons-en-Champagne (Haute-Marne). 

The Ital Express team, led by Patrice Claverie, aims to substantially accelerate its growth with Azulis Capital’s support, in particular by developing an on-line business and extending its services for utility vehicles. The group also intends to implement an dynamic acquisition policy that will enable it to participate actively in the French market consolidation and win access to new markets and customers. 

Ital Express is MMF IV’s 15^th investment.

MMF IV, managed by Azulis Capital, has carried out its 14^th investment, an OBO deal in partnership with Alain Mliczak, founding CEO of the ready-to-wear men’s fashion chain, Father & Sons. Founded in 1995 by Alain and Samy Mliczak, in conjunction with their sister, Evelyne Jurville, Father & Sons is a men’s fashion brand, with contemporary, also elegant and classic styling. The company offers a full range of ready-to-wear clothing for men, both City and Casual, with an attractive price-quality ratio.

 From its network of 30 stores located in city centres and shopping malls, the company intends, with the support of Azulis Capital and its co-investors, to launch an ambitious expansion policy, opening new stores and extending its on-line offering.

Within the framework of a shareholder restructuring in MG3F, the Orapi Group holding company, Azulis Capital has sold its stake to new investors alongside the group’s founding CEO, Guy Chifflot.

Orapi is today a major French player in corporate and industrial hygiene, plant maintenance and industrial services. The group posted consolidated sales of €210 million in 2013 and intends to accelerate its international expansion, with Asia as a prime focus.

The US family-owned Gojo Industries group, based in Akron, Ohio, has acquired Prodene Klint, in which Azulis Capital has been a shareholder since 2009. Prodene Klint specialises in hygiene, cosmetics and disinfectants for the corporate sector; and with sales of €44 million, is a market leader in France.
Gojo is the leader in the skin-and-hand hygiene for business market in North America. With this transaction, Azulis Capital has executed MMF IV’s second exit of a portfolio company.