IK Investment Partners to sell Idex to Cube Infrastructure

IK Investment Partners (“IK”) has reached an agreement with Cube Infrastructure, the French infrastructure and public services investment fund manager to divest Idex, France’s largest independent energy and environmental services company. Financial details for the deal were not disclosed.

Based in Boulogne-Billancourt near Paris, France, Idex offers comprehensive energy solutions including the management of collective heating and cooling networks (public and private) as well as the technical maintenance of central heating installations and third party management of utilities. Idex’s clients include local authorities, residential and commercial complexes and industrial corporations. The Company has approximately 3,500 employees and posted net sales for FY 02/2011 of EUR 525 million.

IK acquired Idex from the Planchot family, who founded the company in 1963, and a consortium of financial investors in November 2004. At that time, the Company employed 2,800 people and generated net sales of EUR 380 million. During its ownership, IK and the management team re-focused the business on core energy and environmental services activities in France and divested non-core operations. IK also fostered the organic growth of the Company through both the extension of current contracts, new client wins through new investments and the expansion of the Company’s geographic footprint through selective local acquisitions such as ISS Energie and Stepnor.

Over the past six years, Idex has also undergone a number of operational improvements, including simplifying the Company’s administrative structure, optimising the rotation of service teams, improving the procurement structure and working capital process, and strengthening capex optimisation through project financing. Overall, under IK’s ownership, the Company has increased headcount by 25% and grown net sales by 40% to EUR 525 million as of February 2011. During this period, Idex became the number three player on the energy services provider market and is a veritable alternative to its top competitors.

IK Partner Dan Soudry, commented: “At the time of investment we wanted to strengthen Idex’s position as France’s largest independent energy and environmental services company by re-focusing on core activities, pursuing dynamic organic growth while making selective acquisitions to enhance the Company’s geographic footprint. In parallel, we saw a number of opportunities to improve the operational performance of the business, optimising the rotation of service teams and centralising the procurement strategy. This strategy, led with the support of Idex’s management team, was successfully launched and will reach its full potential in the coming years. Idex is now ideally positioned to take advantage, with the help of its new shareholder, of the growing demand for energy services in France”. 

Alain Planchot, representative of the founding family, and significant shareholder along with IK, commented: “I am proud of the successes that Idex has brought to fruition since 2005 in response to the objectives defined by the management under my direction and IK. Idex’s development in terms of size and professional quality has also helped to reinforce our ability to satisfy future demands for “energy solutions which respect the environment”. I am delighted to work with Cube, whose long-term vision and ambitions in the Energy Services sector are in perfect harmony with our business plan and background as an independent operator. I am happy to have been an integral part of the handover from IK to Cube; it will allow Idex to join forces with a determined and efficient partner and to invest in imaginative and sustainable “green” solutions which the company has already started to implement in the Energy Solutions sector”.

Idex’s CEO, Frédéric Viet, said: “As the only independent operator in France who has reached critical mass and whose presence in all segments of the Energy Services sector extends throughout the country, Idex is ideally positioned to make excellent use of the numerous opportunities which are available in this promising and sustainable market. In order to meet tomorrow’s challenges, our clients expect us to provide expert advice, to be efficient, to invest in the modernization of their energy infrastructures, and to advance with them as their needs evolve over the long-term. Cube’s arrival was warmly welcomed by Idex’s management as it is an excellent fit for our company. With Cube, Idex will begin a lasting partnership which features a shared vision of industrial ambition anchored by the solid and stable financial structure which Cube will provide thanks to the backing of its long-term French and international institutional investors. This new partnership will also allow us to remain an independent company who stands out as a veritable alternative for our clients.”

This acquisition is subject to customary conditions including anti-trust approval.

J.P.Morgan, XK Corporate Finance and White & Case advised the sellers.

For more information:

IK Investment Partners
Dan Soudry, Partner
Tel: + 33 1 4443 0660
Charlotte Laveson, Communication Manager
Tel: +44 207 304 7136

Alain Planchot
Tel : +33 1 47 12 42 12

Frédéric Viet, CEO of Idex
Tel : +33 1 47 12 42 12