The EQT european fund has entered into exclusive negotiations with a view to acquiring the Saur group
Following the decision made by the Supervisory Board of the Saur Group last April to launch the search for one or more stable partners to accompany their development, the Group’s shareholders have entered into exclusive negotiations with EQT.
EQT is a European investment fund with approximately € 50bn in raised capital across 27 funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the United States with a total turnover of more than € 19bn and about 110,000 employees. EQT notably supports infrastructure companies aiming to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.
This shareholding evolution would be an important step for Saur, reinforcing their development perspectives whilst supporting them in their strategic ambitions. Their Initiative 2022 strategic plan aims for a € 2 bn turnover by 2022. This growth is forecasting an important increase in international transactions.
This transaction project will be subject to the required trade unions consultations and is contingent upon the standard regulatory endorsements. The transaction could be finalised before the end of the year.
The Group had set several selection criteria to protect the company’s interest and that of their employees over time. The Group is pleased with the number and the quality of the files they were presented with along the different phases of this process which resulted in 11 noncommittal offers and in the final selection of four bids. This process evidences that the Group and their positive development perspectives represent a first-rate investment opportunity.
The parties have agreed not to disclose any financial details related to the transaction.
Louis-Roch Burgard, Executive Chairman of Saur says: “The combination of EQT’s expertise in infrastructure and of our operator’s experience should help to contribute to the Group’s growth, both in France and abroad, and to serve the interest of all our employees. This evolution would fully meet the Group’s aim to carry on with their commitment to their clients, be they local authorities or consumers, to offer them an innovative local service part of an ambitious social responsibility approach.”
Matthias Fackler, Partner at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure, says: “EQT has followed Saur for many years, it is a well-positioned company in an attractive market with significant development potential. We aim to unlock this by working together with Saur’s dedicated management and employees leveraging on the company’s proven agility, operational network and proximity to customers. EQT’s industrial network will provide complementary experiences in water infrastructure management, digitalization and sustainable development.”
Lennart Blecher, Deputy Managing Partner at EQT and Head of EQT Real Assets, continues: “We are both proud and humble about being in exclusive negotiations to become the owner of Saur. EQT strongly believes that we will be able to add value thanks to the deep sector and operational experience among EQT’s industrial advisors. The investment will also be an important next step for EQT’s overall expansion into France, following a number of high-profile real estate acquisitions. We see it as a very interesting market with vast investment opportunities relevant for EQT’s approach of active and engaged ownership.”
About Saur
As a longstanding environmental services leader, Saur serves local authorities and industrial companies in the successful implementation of development projects in water supply and treatment, environmental services (engineering, infrastructure services). Saur worldwide presence : Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Spain, Poland. 2017 key figures (excluding waste management): €1.29 billion Group net revenue, 7,000 local authorities contracted, 9,000 employees and 12 million consumers in France and worldwide.
For more information : www.saur.com
About EQT
Founded in Stockholm in 1994 with Sweden’s Wallenberg industrial family, EQT is a leading investment company, with approximately € 50bn in raised capital across 27 funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the United States with a total turnover of more than € 19bn and about 110,000 employees. EQT works with its portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.
For more information: www.eqtpartners.com