Ipcom swaps private equity hands, 12 dealmakers advise on deal

Private equity firm Waterland has sold its stake in Belgian insulation company Ipcom to Alpha Private Equity, in a deal advised by 12 firms from the professional services world. The deal will conclude for an undisclosed fee, upon approval from the German competition authority.

Waterland formed Ipcom in 2010 through the acquisition and merger of Waeyaer-Vermeersch Isolatie and Isowill. Following an extended international buy-and-build strategy executed by Ipcom, the Ghent-headquartered group provides insulation products to installers, contractors, wholesalers and retailers. It has more than 50 outlets across Europe and generates turnover of around €285 million.

During its seven year hold on the company, Waterland supported more than 20 bolt-on acquisitions, but the private equity (PE) firm has now sealed its exit. Waterland has relinquished its grip to Alpha Private Equity, which has invested in the insulation company through its seventh fund, which closed at €903 million in June. Alpha signed a sale and purchase agreement with Waterland and its co- shareholders for the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Ipcom, and the new shareholders intend to continue to support IPCOM as it looks to further expand its activities, and continuously strengthen its position in the European insulation market. The terms of the transaction, which is subject to approval by the German competition authority, were not disclosed.

The buyers were advised by Alantra – who recently completed a £30 million acquisition of their own with the purchase of Catalyst Corporate Finance – along with Netherlands-based Nielen Schuman, The Boston Consulting Group, Big Four firm KPMG and Cataly Partners, while receiving legal advisory services from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton. Debt for the deal was provided by ING, Belfius, Rabobank, Siemens and Barings, who were given legal advice by Linklaters.

Waterland was meanwhile given M&A advisory services on the deal by Rothschild, and received legal advice from Allen & Overy. ERM meanwhile provided vendor due diligence, alongside advisors from professional services giants McKinsey & Company and Deloitte.

Frank Vlayen, CEO of Waterland, commented on his firm’s successful exit, “We are proud of the leading position that IPCOM has achieved in the European insulation market... We wish the entire IPCOM management team great success in the realisation of the next growth phase of the company.”

Bernard Vercaemst, CEO of IPCOM Group, added: “After a very exciting first period in which we have been able to build, with the support of Waterland, a solid European group with a strong backbone and a clearly defined strategy, we are very happy to welcome Alpha as our new shareholder and partner. Based on the cultural match, the people and business driven approach of Alpha, the strategic alignment and the available resources for further acquisitions, we are strongly convinced that Alpha is the right partner for IPCOM in the future.”

Meanwhile, Patrick Herman, Partner at Alpha, said of the PE firm’s new asset, “Alpha has been eager to sign this transaction ever since it has had access to IPCOM’s performances. The interactions with the outstanding management team and the exciting growth prospects for the years to come have greatly fuelled Alpha’s decision to acquire this unique company.”

Private equity firms have enjoyed strong growth in assets under management last year, hitting a record $2.5 trillion, while investors have enjoyed strong returns on their investment. The industry is seeing increasingly larger numbers of active PE firms, while investors are becoming increasingly active themselves in the investment process. M&A activity by private equity firms across Europe had been projected to see a smaller increase in activity going into 2017 than into 2016, as political instability, from Brexit to the new US administration, had caused hesitation within the market.