Paris, 12 July 2022 – Apax announces the signature of an exclusivity agreement with Eurazeo to acquire Vitaprotech, the French leader in premium security solutions for sensitive sites. The transaction remains subject to applicable regulatory approvals.
Founded in 2012, Vitaprotech addresses all customers’ needs in securing sensitive sites through an integrated offer built around three complementary areas of expertise: access control, perimeter intrusion detection systems, intelligent monitoring & video.
Supported by Eurazeo since 2018 and driven by the strategic vision of its Chairman Eric Thord, the group has achieved a strong organic growth driven by dynamic underlying markets, accelerated by a proven buy&build strategy (9 acquisitions closed over the last 4 years). Vitaprotech has also pursued its transformation by strengthening the weight of software solutions and managed services (c. 45% of its activity), supported by constant and significant investment in R&D.
With a targeted turnover of more than €80M for 2022, Vitaprotech has tripled in size since 2018 with more than 400 employees in France and abroad.
With the support of the Apax teams, Vitaprotech plans to significantly accelerate its international development and to continue its very ambitious acquisitions strategy, notably to strengthen its software expertise and its global premium electronic security offering.
Apax is investing in this transaction via the Apax Midmarket X fund – raised in 2021 at €1.6bn -, Apax Private Equity Opportunities (APEO) – its dedicated life insurance and capitalisation contracts fund – and the Apax Philanthropy Fund.
“We are delighted to welcome the support of Apax by our side to write the next chapter in the development of Vitaprotech. The sector expertise of the fund and the quality of its teams convinced us to have them by our side, after having benefited from the support of the teams at Eurazeo over the past four years.” Eric Thord, CEO of Vitaprotech.
“We are very happy to provide our support to Eric Thord and his team becoming the main shareholder in Vitaprotech. Thanks to its management team and differentiated offering, the group has established itself as a stand-out player among the leaders in electronic security and has chalked up an impressive organic and external growth track record. We will mobilise the human and financial resources necessary to support Eric Thord and his teams in accelerating their growth and in strengthening the leading positions of the group in premium security solutions, notably via M&A deals and strong expansion internationally.” Henry Capelle, Partner at Apax.
Contacts
Lauren Bardet
Apax – Communications Director
+33 6 16 32 72 82
lauren.bardet@seven2.eu
Jérôme Goaër – Verbatee
+33 6 61 61 79 34
j.goaer@verbatee.com
Valérie Sabineu – Verbatee
+33 6 61 61 76 73
v.sabineu@verbatee.com
About Apax
Apax is one of the leading private equity firms in Europe. With 50 years of experience, Apax works with companies over the long term to make them leaders in their sector. The funds managed and advised by Apax amount to over €4.8 billion. These funds invest in high-growth SMEs and SMIs in four sectors of specialisation: Tech & Telecom, Services, Health and Consumer Goods.
Apax sas, based in Paris (www.seven2.fr), and Apax LLP, based in London (www.seven2.com), have a common history but are two independent firms.
