MBO & Co backs the creation of Orthoway

The two regional leaders in orthopaedic equipment Cellier and Orthofiga have merged to create Orthoway, a new key player in French bespoke orthopaedic equipment market (prostheses and orthoses).

The two regional leaders in orthopaedic equipment Cellier and Orthofiga have merged to create Orthoway, a new key player in French bespoke orthopaedic equipment market (prostheses and orthoses).

The Orthoway group, which is majority owned by its orthotist/prosthetists, generated revenue of €23 million and employs 160 people. With 19 branches located across North-Western France, Orthoway is no. 3 on the French market of external orthopaedic equipment.

The Chairmen of the two companies, Bruno Cellier – Chairman of the eponymous group based in Cambrai, France –, and Dominique Fillonneau – Chairman of the Orthofiga group based in Rennes, France – have known one another for a long time and share the same vision of their market and business: services provided locally for which the relations with doctors and patients are essential.

Underpinned by human and professional values shared by the group’s orthotist/prosthetists, the Orthoway project aims to associate other companies of the sector in order to exchange know-how and contribute additional resources to their development. Discussions are already in advanced stages with potential partners keen to join the project.

Through such partnerships, the Orthoway group plans to double in size within the next five years.

Bruno Cellier, Chairman of the new group, and Dominique Fillonneau, CEO, said:

“Together, we are going to invest in innovation and training our people. We are welcoming other professionals of the sector wishing to conserve their identity and grounding, while also desiring to be part of a project conducted by orthotist/prosthetists who share the same human, professional and service values and enthusiasm.”

The Othoway project is supported by MBO & Co, which takes a minority stake, investing alongside the management. MBO & Co has a thorough understanding of the business after having supported the Cellier group in its external growth policy since 2011.

Cécile Nguyen-Cluzel, Partner at MBO & Co, said:

“This merger project, conducted by Bruno Cellier and Dominique Fillonneau, marks a new phase for Cellier Orthopédie and Orthofiga. We share the group’s values and wish to back Orthoway in its ambitious new development project, in particular its external growth plans.”