Omnes Capital has acquired a stake in Ducatillon as part of a buyer-in-management-buy-out (BIMBO) deal worth a total of EUR7.6 million.
Omnes Capital’s small cap fund, with the support of Bpifrance, is accompanying the handover of the company’s management and shareholding from chairman Thomas Delecroix to buyer Jean-Marc Bernard.
Founded in 1997, Ducatillon is France’s market leader in distance selling of hobby farming and hunting equipment and outdoor leisure goods. The company, which offers over 22,000 items, has a multi-specialist positioning in France spanning hunting attire and accessories, livestock equipment, gardening products, kitchen goods, canine accessories and fishing equipment.
Ducatillon has over 500,000 customers, with the number increasing regularly each year. It generated sales of EUR22 million in 2016 with 80 employees.
Thomas Delecroix, Ducatillon’s departing executive director, says: “I am pleased to be handing over the company to Jean-Marc Bernard, who has developed expertise in the distance selling sector by supporting the strategy of leading retailers such as La Redoute, Quelle and 3suisses.”
Jean-Marc Bernard, the company’s new executive director, states: “Our aim is to develop the company’s activities in the hunting and hobby farming markets, combining catalogues and online business with the two priority areas of e-commerce and exports.”
Laurent Espic, partner at Omnes Capital, adds: “The handover was well anticipated by the management team, which has been structuring the company for the last three years. It is now fully in position to boost its growth, drawing in particular on its logistics tools and effective marketing department. The aim is to continue to deliver profitable growth over the years ahead.”
Jean-Yves Duriez, investment director at Bpifrance, states: “The deal will enable this impressive company from Northern France to take the next step, allowing it to continue to grow. We are very pleased to be working with Jean-Marc Bernard, the management team and Omnes Capital in this project.”
