FDG group

Seven years after a primary LBO carried out by the unlisted German group Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG), Crédit Mutuel Equity has become the group's main shareholder, enabling FDG, a leader in the management of non-food products for major retailers, to accelerate its growth and include a new generation of managers amongst its shareholders. The new shareholder group consists of four current executives, including Vincent Ségalas (CEO since 2009) and three representatives of the previous management team. In 2016, the company had revenue of more than €120 million and employed 750 staff. This transaction is subject to approval from the relevant competition authorities and is likely to be completed by the end of March 2017.

The France Distribution Gestion (FDG) group designs, develops, sources and markets 15 families of non-food products for major retailers, primarily in France. These products cover a variety of areas: household goods, haberdashery, hygiene, beauty products and culture. In all, some 12,000 references and 65 million articles are sold through the majority of hypermarkets and supermarkets in France and in neighbouring European countries, including both independent distributors and integrated networks. FDG's model consists of offering its clients full service management of slow-rotation and/or seasonal lines (design and supply of products, logistics and merchandising).

"We still have substantial growth potential in France, but we are also targeting significant growth in export markets, particularly in western Europe, thanks to a powerful marketing policy based on continuous renewal of ranges and a full-service offering for clients. We are delighted to have been able to carry out this transaction with Crédit Mutuel Equity (formerly CM-CIC Investissement), which shares with the management team a vision of the way ahead and has an understanding of our strategy and a desire to help support acquisitions," commented Vincent Ségalas.

"FDG's position as the leader in its market, its considerable expertise in line management and its skills in innovation and renewal of product ranges all convinced us to support the company in its continued growth, notably in Europe," added Laurent Hyver, Investment Director at Crédit Mutuel Equity.

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