Systosolar

The French leader in the distribution of PV equipment to trade customers, Systosolar, has opened its capital to two investors, Crédit Mutuel Equity and Sodero Participations, in order to take the next step in its development in this fast-growing market. The Nantes-based company has revenue of €55 million. The founding team, consisting of Pascal Métayer and three key executives, retains a significant majority stake.

Created at the end of 2009, Systosolar has become, in less than ten years, a leading supplier of photovoltaic equipment to trade customers through its KDI Solar brand. The company offers a bespoke service, giving installers a full range of products (panels, inverters, cables, fixing systems) and access to the expertise of its design team (support in contract tenders, post-installation monitoring) on short lead times, thus covering all their requirements. Systosolar mainly supplies small and medium-sized industrial and agricultural projects; the residential segment represents only a marginal activity for the company.

The recomposition of its capital is being carried out with a view to preparing for a transmission process and to support the company in its growth. Crédit Mutuel Equity, lead manager for the deal, and Sodero Participations are acquiring a minority stake alongside the founding team.

"Thanks to the relevance of its offering of products and services, Systosolar has the wherewithal to grow at around 10% per year in a very strong PV market in France. This deal will enable it to consolidate its resources, on the one hand, to help meet growing demand in its core market, whilst on the other hand help it win new positions in the residential segment," observed Crédit Mutuel Equity’s Associate Romain Freismuth and Senior Principal Stéphane Mentzer.

"We were won over by a highly experienced management team, which has been able to establish strong relationships with its suppliers, who are leading global manufacturers, and its customers, installers looking for high-quality service," noted Valérie Allain-Dupré, Investment Director at Sodero.

"I am delighted that our company’s project was able to attract such solid partners who, with their expertise and industrial vision, will be able to provide us with effective support. Together, we will be able to begin a new phase in our development," added the founder.

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