The Aramine group (142 employees) specialises in selling spare parts for all brands of machinery used in hard-rock underground mining, as well as in designing-manufacturing under its own brand machinery for loading and transporting minerals. Being committed to the environment, it also refurbishes to like-new condition used machinery from all brands, and develops non-polluting, electric, and battery-powered machinery. Based in Aix-en-Provence, Aramine generates 98% of its turnover internationally, in over 80 countries, and aims at reaching the €40 million mark in 2021.
“On a market dominated by two manufacturers, Aramine managed to position itself as an independent challenger providing supplier parts at attractive prices and very quickly,” stated Denis Dalmais, Director for Crédit Mutuel Equity. “Aramine differentiates itself by the availability and comprehensiveness of its stock, unlike major manufacturers,” added Alexandre de Saint Rapt, Associate for Crédit Mutuel Equity.
Commercial reorganisation
Driven by a growing demand in gold and copper, the underground mining market provides great opportunities.
Pairing machinery manufacturing with spare parts trading
Aramine is betting on the launch of new machinery, as well as on its commercial reorganisation to sustain its growth. Indeed, the desired growth plan will be sustained by its transformation from a business unit organisation to a regionalised sales force, centred around customer satisfaction.
Crédit Mutuel Equity chose to support these developments during a reorganisation of the company’s capital. “One of Aramine’s assets is being directed by three siblings – Geneviève, Marc and Christophe Melkonian – who are very close, each with their own field of expertise,” explained Denis Dalmais. “Since they have been involved for many years in the group, founded 46 years ago by their parents, they know the markets, the customers and their teams very well.”