What?! 'Eh?!' Well ... I guess we'll find out, won't we?
Nantes, January 11th, 2021 - Astorg, a leading global private equity firm, is pleased to announce that it has signed an exclusivity agreement to invest in ARMOR-IIMAK ("ARMOR-IIMAK" or the "Company"), an ARMOR Group's company, via its newly launched Mid-Cap fund in partnership with Hubert de Boisredon, ARMOR Group's Chairman and CEO, and its management team. Hubert de Boisredon and ARMOR-IIMAK's Management team will remain the majority shareholders with Astorg acquiring a c. 40% stake in the business.
I'm none the wiser. What's this all about?
Headquartered in Nantes, France, ARMOR-IIMAK, an ARMOR Group's company, is the global leader in thermal transfer ribbons, which are inked films used as consumables for the thermal transfer printing industry. Thermal transfer is the reference technology used when printing monochromic variable information (e.g. barcodes or QR codes) on labels or packaging at industrial scale, and is benefiting from increased traceability tailwinds. ARMOR-IIMAK serves over 3,000 customers in c. 100 countries and employs c. 1,600 employees across 20 facilities globally including 17 slitting sites.
FFS! Man, who would want to go into the thermal transfer ribbons business?! 'Hubert would.' Yeah, I suppose.
Kook(s), I've said this a thousand times before: It takes all sorts to make a world.
Right. Come on, Hubert! Explain yourself, and make it good -
Hubert de Boisredon, Chairman and CEO of ARMOR Group and Executive Chairman of ARMOR-IIMAK, says: "On behalf of the ARMOR Group and as Executive Chairman of ARMOR-IIMAK, I am extremely pleased to be working alongside Astorg. This partnership is part of a process of renewing the shareholding and consolidating ARMOR-IIMAK in the field of traceability. In this expanding market, our prospects for growth and value creation are significant. The capital partnership that we are about to conclude with a partner of excellence such as Astorg will enable us to continue developing our global leadership strategy, particularly in Asia, which is extremely motivating for our teams."
Well, I feel so much better about the whole thing now. 'Maybe we'll have more luck with Lionel, boss.' What?! Who the hell is Lionel?! 'Look - !'
Lionel de Posson, Managing Partner of Astorg Mid-Cap, comments: "We are delighted that Hubert de Boisredon and ARMOR-IIMAK's management team have chosen Astorg as their partner, and we very much look forward to contributing to the next chapters of ARMOR-IIMAK's successful growth story. The Company's truly global leadership position differentiated technology and know-how, and industry-pioneering ESG standards, make it a great fit to our Astorg Mid-Cap investment strategy. Such fit, combined with the relationship built with Hubert and his team over several months, enabled us to act with conviction and pre-empt the sale process. This primary deal marks the first investment of our fund in France, a core geography in which we are extremely active."
Okay, okay. Well, uh ... I wish you all the best with it, guys. It's not what I would want to do with my life. Is the money good? I mean ... never mind.
Good luck!
ENDS
'Boss!'
What?
'We have another Hubert who wants to speak.' Don't be ridiculous, Voice. 'We do! This one is a right Charlie Hubert, and he's a Baron.' Of course he is.
Charles-Hubert Le Baron, Director of Astorg Mid-Cap, adds: "We have tracked ARMOR for almost a year and we have been extremely impressed by ARMOR-IIMAK's industrial and commercial performance, thanks to a highly experienced management team and a culture of innovation in its facilities across the globe. ARMOR-IIMAK has built an impressive leadership over the last 15 years, offering a differentiated range of products combined with best-in-class quality of service to their customers at global level. We are very excited to have the opportunity to partner with ARMOR-IIMAK."
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I can't make it any clearer than that, can I?
...
Anything else? Music?
My new song? I hope I can finish it soon. I mean, the lyric, you dig? It's going to be an "emotional" rock ballad. Oh, my best ballad, yes.
Have a nice weekend!
'Bye!'
Laters.
