Ardian acquires minority stake in Euro4x4parts and supports and the group's acquisition of Japocat

Ardian, a world leading private investment house, today announces the acquisition of a minority stake in Euro4x4parts Group, an equipment manufacturer specializing in the import and distribution of spare parts, equipment, and accessories for off-road vehicles. In addition to Ardian’s investment, the Euro4x4parts Group also announces the acquisition of Japocat, a company focused on the import and distribution of replacement components for the automotive industry, with focus on Asian manufacturers and off-road vehicles.

Ardian's acquisition provides the Group with new prospects for organic and external growth. This acquisition supports Euro4x4parts in becoming a leading player within the off-road vehicle spare parts market.

Euro4x4parts sells to both private and professional clients. With sales conducted via online channels and physical locations, which are strategically located in France and abroad. Japocat is exclusively focused on B2B sales, and distributes its products to a network of more than 2,000 automotive aftermarket professionals in France, Switzerland and Belgium, as well as to French territories overseas.

The Euro4x4parts Group’s acquisition of Japocat creates significant value through synergies in terms of product ranges, customer targets and geographical presence. These synergies will support the two groups in strengthening their market positions, not only by building on their physical presence in the Spanish and Northern European markets, but also by strengthening their distribution methods, in particular through the launch of a new website. 

The group has previously carried out an external growth operation with the acquisition of ADL, a company specializing in the sale of spare parts for vehicles. Initially positioned as a pure Internet player, the Euro4x4parts Group launched a "click to mortar", available in locations across France and abroad. The Euro4x4parts Group currently employs around 80 people across 8 entities, with 6 of which located outside mainland France. 

Georges Graciet, President of Euro4x4parts: "After more than ten years of close cooperation with Japocat, we are extremely pleased to have finalized the operation – especially given the particularly difficult global environment. The responsiveness of Ardian's teams and their strong understanding of the sector and the issues at stake were decisive in completing the acquisition.”

Frédéric Quéru, Director and Florian Dupont, Senior Investment Manager at Ardian Growth continued: “We were attracted by the entrepreneurial spirit and ambition of the management team. When backing the acquisition of Japocat, Ardian Growth is supporting the rise of Euro4x4parts as an undisputed specialized online leader in a sector which could undergo profound changes at the low point of the cycle.”