Ardian entres into exclusive negotiations to acquire DIAM group

Founded in 1968 and run since 2007 by Chairman Michel Vaissaire, DIAM Group has evolved into the benchmark player for creating, producing and installing branded point of sale displays. Driven by strong organic growth, the company has over 2,000 employees across 28 sites in 22 countries in Europe, America, Asia and North Africa. DIAM revenues in 2015 were over €200 million.

The Group provides POS and interior design services to brands and retailers, specializing in the following areas: 

• Prestige: perfumes, cosmetics ;
• Non-cosmetic: parapharmaceuticals, wines and spirits, jewellery ;
• Large retail: consumer goods ;
• Installation service: point of sale installation, logistics and dedicated services.

As a merchandising solutions specialist, the Group helps clients develop a consumer experience at their points of sale in France and abroad. It enjoys close relations stretching back over 40 years with the major luxury and cosmetic brands (Chanel, Clinique, Dior, Estée Lauder, Cartier, L’Oréal, Lancôme, Clarins, LVMH, Shiseido, Coty, P&G, etc.).

Ardian has known DIAM Group for a long time and intends to maintain the management team's strategy, which is to continue extending the Group's international presence, boost innovation and develop the point of sales design segment following the March 2016 acquisition of Maison Prugent Ebénisterie, which specialises in interior design for prestigious locations.

Michel Vaissaire, Chairman of DIAM Group, commented: "We are delighted to welcome Ardian as a shareholder. After four years of strong growth with the steady and high-quality support of LBO France, we needed a solid shareholder of reference to support our ambitious strategy. The choice of Ardian is a major asset for DIAM and our clients in this new phase of the Group's development."

Jean-Marie Leroy, Head of LBO Small Cap Hexagone, said: "Over the last four years, we have been impressed by the company's trajectory, as well as its growth and quality of management. We have supported the Group's international expansion, particularly in Italy, Brazil and Mexico, and its external growth transactions. Its current scale means that it is now a global benchmark capable of pursuing its international expansion with a new partner such as Ardian."

Arnaud Dufer, Head of Ardian Expansion France, remarked: "DIAM is a company we have been following for a long time. Since Michel Vassaire joined eight years ago, the Group has doubled in size thanks to the development of additional activities and a successful international expansion that has taken its presence from four countries to 22. This transaction fits perfectly with the investment strategy of Ardian Expansion, which seeks to support companies as they move into the international arena."

The proposed transaction is still subject to the approval of the anti-trust authorities. Staff representatives at DIAM have been informed and are currently being consulted for their opinion on the proposed transaction.

This will be the second transaction carried out by Ardian Expansion IV, which closed in June 2016 having raised EUR 1 billion.