Background
- Kermel is a flame-resistant fibre producer founded in 1972 and headquartered in Colmar, France
- Kermel is specialized in the development, design and production of high-performance technical textile fibre for the manufacture of fire-resistant personal protective garments for firefighters, military personnel, police forces and industry workers
- The high performance of the Kermel fibre, combined with a differentiating approach based on co-engineering of bespoke textile solutions with end-users, has enabled Kermel to become a European leader, internationally recognized by key players in the value chain
- Under Qualium’s ownership, Kermel notably established a subsidiary in the US and successfully penetrated the American market which now accounts for around 40% of the sales
- Kermel is strategically positioned to capture further growth thanks to its strong market position in the personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturing value chain
- Qualium Investissement is a Paris-headquartered private equity firm with €1.5 billion in funds under management. The investment firm was originally formed in 1998 as the private equity investment arm of the French Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations
- FCDE is a French private equity firm that supports the development and transformation of SMEs with a strong growth potential. Based on a responsible investment approach, FCDE provides human and financial resources to help management teams drive sustainable operational improvement and long-term value creation
Process
- DC Advisory acted as exclusive financial advisor to the shareholders of Kermel on its sale to FCDE alongside management
Outcome
- Through this transaction, FCDE proposes to lead an industrial development and commercial project based on; innovation, the development of partnerships with key players in the industry, and the establishment of a best-in-class industrial tool with enhanced capabilities
- This transaction further illustrates DC Advisory’s expertise in the chemicals and PPE sectors
