FONDIS ELECTRONIC

Created in 1982, Fondis Electronic was put up for sale in 2004 due to the retirement of one of its founders (who was also the majority shareholder). Having studied the possibility of an MBI, Initiative & Finance set up a majority OBO along with CEO Jean-Pierre Ellerbach, who ultimately decided to stay in control and reinvest in the firm's equity. Fondis Electronic distributes scientific and industrial equipment for laboratories and industry, and has progressively migrated into environmental markets and particularly into the environmental assessment of buildings, a growing area due to ever more restrictive regulations that require more and more measurements to be taken before a property can be sold. After very strong growth (complemented by a small acquisition), which saw revenues climb from €9.2 million to €19.4 million in 3 years, the company was the target of an MBO from the company's number 2 and 3, led in mid-2008 by a new financial partner. Initiative & Finance and Jean-Pierre Ellerbach reinvested as minority shareholders in this second round and sold their stake in 2011.