HPS International is a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of complex industrial hydraulic cylinders, generating 80% of its sales internationally. As leading investor in high-potential French lower mid-cap companies, MBO+ is teaming up with its historic CEO, Grégory Poitrasson, to accelerate the company’s development. MBO+ demonstrates once again its interest in exceptional industrial companies.

The deal is accompanied by the acquisition of Codipro, a Luxembourg-based specialist in top-of-the-range articulated lifting rings. The aim of this move is to bring together two complementary international players with strong brands, recognised in their respective markets for the quality of their products and services, and whose equipment is critical to the production lines of most industries and essential to safety.

The new entity, which represents total consolidated turnover of €41m, has all the hallmarks of an MBO+ deal:

• A strong alignment of interests with a very high-level management team.
• A clear, shared development strategy.
• Premium products with multiple applications in a wide range of sectors.

The ambition of MBO+ and the management of HPS is to accelerate the company’s differentiation through:

• Implementing an international buy and build strategy.
• Opening new production sites in particularly new markets such as India and the USA.
• Diversifying the range, notably by opening up to the complex technology of electric cylinders.
• Strengthening sales strategy.
• The implementation of synergies, mainly commercial, between HPS and Codipro.

With HPS International, MBO+ is strengthening its part in the best French SMEs, particularly those developing exceptional technical and industrial expertise. By combining financing tailored to their growth needs with high standards of social and environmental sustainability, MBO+ enables them to realise their full potential.

“The HPS Group, in association with the CodiproLux Group, is consolidating almost 80 years of presence in demanding industrial markets, world-renowned brands and more than 14 nationalities among its employees. We are very honoured that a fund such as MBO+ has decided to join us. This collaboration will enable our company to confirm its status as a leading international French SME in the market for technological cylinders and lifting systems with a high safety coefficient. We’re ready to take on the new challenges ahead together.” Grégory Poitrasson, President, HPS International

“We are delighted to be supporting Grégory in this new stage in the development of his industrial project on a global scale. HPS is a deal that fits in perfectly with our commitment to supporting talented entrepreneurs running companies developing high added-value products in niche markets. These are entrepreneurial adventures in which MBO+’s expertise comes into its own, particularly when it comes to external growth.” Olivier Delrieu and Raphaël Lahaye, Partners, MBO+