20 Nov 2017

The closing of the transaction is subject to the consultation of the Works Council and the approval of anti-trust authorities.

Founded by Franky Mulliez in 1980, Kiloutou is the second largest player in the industrial and construction equipment rental market in France and the fourth largest in Europe. Kiloutou offers its customers the widest range of equipment on the market. With an expected turnover of more than €600
million in 2017 and 4,300 employees in Europe, Kiloutou operates c. 500 branches in Europe (France, Poland, Spain, Italy and Germany). The Kiloutou Group targets a diversified client base of professionals: public corporations, construction companies, craftsmen, municipalities and administrations, industries, service companies and SMEs. With the support of its new shareholders and with its management team, which has gained a real expertise in external growth over the last 10 years, Kiloutou will be able to accelerate its growth in Europe and strengthen its leadership position on the French market.

The significant reinvestment of Franky Mulliez and Kiloutou’s team (1,400 shareholder-employees) led by Xavier du Boÿs and Olivier Colleau alongside HLDI and HLD Europe demonstrates their deep conviction in the development potential of Kiloutou.

Xavier du Boÿs, Chairman of Kiloutou:

“I am delighted to be able to start a new era in the development of this superb company with our new shareholders, with whom we share the same values. Together, we aim to build a large European platform for equipment rental focused on our mission: to simplify the lives of all our customers wherever they are. In order to accomplish this goal, we will continue to broaden our service offering and to improve our customers’ experience, especially through investments in digital. We will succeed in this project by remaining true to our commitment to sustainable development and by maintaining our focus on the men and women of Kiloutou, who are key to its success.”

Jean-Bernard Lafonta, Partner and Co-Founder of HLD:

“HLD, specialised in accompanying successful companies with no time constraints, is the ideal candidate to support Kiloutou in the upcoming years of its development: this will enable us to achieve Kiloutou’s ambitions on the European market in spite of recurring economic cycles. We are delighted to be associated with Kiloutou’s growth project. We share the same values of passion of putting the client first, having a strong appetite for performance and confidence in the men and women of Kiloutou. Between the impressive dynamism of the teams and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives HLD, we are confident that Kiloutou can become the European leader in the sector.”

Antoine Ernoult-Dairaine, Partner at Sagard:

“As Kiloutou shareholders since 2005, we are very proud to have accompanied, for more than 12 years, the different stages of growth of the Kiloutou group, in France and subsequently in Europe, first as a majority shareholder and more recently as a minority shareholder. We attribute this success to the women and men who lead the group on a daily basis with energy and positivity. Our thanks also go to Franky Mulliez, the group management team and PAI Partners for their trust.”

Nicolas Holzman, Partner at PAI Partners:

“During the past six years, Kiloutou doubled in size pursuing significant gains in market shares, diversifying its product lines and becoming a fantastic acquisition platform. Today, Kiloutou is a European leader with a presence in five countries. We want to warmly thank Kiloutou’s teams, its management team and our equity partners for this great transformation adventure.”