Typical situations
“We focus on primary transactions and have a strong expertise in handling spin-offs of non-core subsidiaries tucked away in a larger group.”
Ponsardin’s core capability focuses on transforming businesses into independent, strong, industry-leading companies that are sustainable for the long term. As such we are specialized in:
- Corporate divestures (“spin-offs”) and carve-outs of non-core assets,
- Private sale of a founder or family-owned business, and,
- Underperforming businesses, including companies owned by former creditor groups.
Corporate Divestiture and Carve-out
Ponsardin Industries is a go-to party when it comes down to handling corporate divestitures or more complex carve-out situations.
Over the last two decades, we have developed a particular expertise in:
- designing and implementing Transaction Services Agreements to set up the backbone of a stand-alone business such as finance, sales, operational and IT departments,
- rebranding the carve-out assets,
- making cross-borders deals happen, often with publicly listed component to it, in a time sensitive environment,
- being flexible and creative to deliver a suitable proposition for the Seller, and,
- delivering speed and certainty in line with the Seller’s objectives.
We understand the special needs and circumstances involved in the sale of non-core assets or entities of corporate parents. Given that we are not attached to the typical private equity fund rules, we can be highly creative in thinking out of the box to make a deal happen.
Our prior transaction partners include large publicly listed companies across North America and Europe including, Clear Channel Inc., Valassis Group, etc…
Private Sale
Ponsardin Industries focuses on primary transactions such as assets or businesses from families, entrepreneurs, and other financial owners seeking to transition ownership. As a result, we typically make a controlling investment, or would require a controlling vote on all key topics on the board of directors.
We understand the special needs and circumstances involved in the sale of family and entrepreneur-owned companies and would be better suited in a context of no lengthy sale process. Given that we act as a holding company with quick decision-making ability, we can be highly creative in thinking out of the box and make a deal happen ‘on the spot’.
We bring extensive experience and resources, and deliver sufficient autonomy, to help the management teams growing revenues and improving profitability by reinforcing the company’s core business (i.e. its competitive position, proposition to the market, its productivity and organizational set up). In addition, we have a strong track record in pursuing add-ons that would help complementing the base business.
Underperforming Assets
Handling underperformance is part of the DNA of Ponsardin’s culture and is the origin of its existence. Some of our leadership team members are still part of several turnaround associations and have dealt with several restructuring scenarios across France, the Benelux countries, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States.
Sector and Geography
Based in the heartland of Europe we focus our investments predominantly on West-Europe and opportunistically on North America.
Ponsardin Industries is a situation-focused fund and as such it is sector-agnostic. Most of the sectors we tend to look at, include:
- Business Services,
- Capital equipment and automation,
- Consumer Products and retail,
- Defense and aerospace,
- Food and agriculture,
- General industrials (distribution and manufacturing),
- Logistics and Distribution (including real estate),
- Media and Entertainment
- Oil and gas,
- Packaging, Paper and paper products, and,
- Technology (software, consulting and IT services).
