Paris, October 7, 2025 – Capital Croissance, the entrepreneurs’ investment club dedicated to high-growth SMEs and mid-sized companies, has acquired a majority stake in Serapid alongside its executives, Emeric Labesse (CEO) and Guillaume Davies (COO). The latter took over the company in 2017 with the support of LBO France, which is now divesting its entire stake as part of this transaction. Zencap is renewing its confidence in the Group by supporting the deal through the continuation of the unitranche financing subscribed in 2024. The transaction also includes the participation of the France Nucléaire Fund – managed by Siparex, BNP Paribas Développement and Unexo, a subsidiary of the Regional Crédit Agricole banks. This marks the fifth investment by the CAIRN Capital III fund, raised at the end of 2023 with total commitments of €285 million.
Capital Croissance and its co-investors aim to support Serapid’s accelerated growth, driven by (i) the expansion of its elevator vertical through a unique patented innovation, (ii) the acquisition of new clients in the entertainment and stage equipment sector, (iii) the penetration of new industrial markets, particularly nuclear, through innovative solutions, and (iv) continued international expansion.
“We would like to thank LBO France for supporting us in structuring the Group and launching our activity in new markets. We are delighted to open a new chapter alongside Capital Croissance, with whom we share strong human values, an entrepreneurial approach, and a deep understanding of our strategic challenges. Their structured support system will be a true asset in accelerating our development. We also welcomed the involvement of the France Nucléaire Fund for its recognized expertise in the nuclear sector, where we currently operate and see attractive opportunities,” said Emeric Labesse and Guillaume Davies, CEO and COO of Serapid.
Founded over fifty years ago, Serapid is a recognized international player specializing in rigid chain technology used for heavy load handling. As a genuine alternative to hydraulic cylinders, this technology combines technical performance, operational efficiency, and environmental benefits. It meets the needs of clients seeking to integrate ecological transition goals into their projects while maximizing performance.
Originally focused on the industrial and entertainment sectors, Serapid is today the only company on the market to have entered the elevator segment, confirming its capacity for innovation and unique positioning. The Group offers a comprehensive range, from standard products to turnkey solutions. This approach enables Serapid to support leading clients on large-scale, complex projects in demanding environments, such as the nuclear industry, particularly for precision lifting applications and the handling of spent fuel.
The Group currently employs around 150 people across its headquarters and factory in Normandy, its assembly site in the United States, and its sales offices in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Singapore.
Fabrice Fleury, Managing Partner at Capital Croissance, commented: “We are honored by the trust that Emeric and Guillaume have placed in us to support them in the Group’s next stage of development. As a true expert in a niche market, Serapid is led by a dedicated and ambitious management team, perfectly illustrating the kind of entrepreneurial project we are proud to back.”
Jean-Marie Leroy, Partner in charge of the Small Caps activity at LBO France, added: “Serapid is a perfect example of our Small Caps investment strategy, which aims to support French and Italian SMEs as they reach a decisive stage in their growth. Together with Emeric and Guillaume, our operational team helped structure the company across all levels, including the establishment of a new production site, the rollout of an ambitious ESG strategy, and the Group’s international expansion. Under the combined leadership of management and LBO France, Serapid has scaled up and now benefits from strong growth levers.”
PARTIES & CONSEILS DE L’OPERATION
PARTIES
- Management Team : Emeric Labesse, Guillaume Davies, Julien Heang
- Capital Croissance : Fabrice Fleury, Guy-Hubert de Fougères, Mathieu Bertolini, Camille Poret
- Siparex – France Nucléaire Fund: Romain Boisson de Chazournes, Hugo Petitjean, Hugo Martel
- BNP Paribas Développement : Jean-Marc Dussourd, Benjamin Foret, Elie Laloi
- Unexo: Edouard Boulan, Arnaud Lejas, Romain David
- LBO France : Jean-Marie Leroy, Philippe Karmin, Charles Béal
- Zencap Asset Management : Avi Corcos, Laëtitia Marchadier
SELLERS / MANAGEMENT ADVISORS
- M&A Advisor : Amala Partners (Jean-Baptiste Marchand, Benjamin Giner, Inès Benyazza)
- Legal Advisor : Jeausserand-Audouard (Carole Degonse, Tristan Audouard, Didem Senol) and Jeantet (Pascal Georges, Marine Noppe, Nicolas Méheust, François-Xavier Simeoni, Hugo Cherqui)
- Financial Advisor : Acuitem (Gonzague Chaussois)
- Financial VDD : BM&A (Guilhem de Montmarin, Brice Carrier, Tifany Teyssier, Mathieu Abela)
- Strategic VDD : Indefi (Marc Durance, Yannick Hamida, Salim Taabani)
BUYERS’ ADVISORS
- Legal, Tax & Employment Advisors: Paul Hastings (Charles Filleux-Pommerol, Sebastien Crépy, Vincent Nacinovic, Thibault Jumeaux, Laetitia Mingarelli, Tereza Courmont-Vlkova) and Grant Thornton (Stéphany Brévost)
- Financial Advisor: BDO (Reza Joomun, Antoine Pierre, Guillaume Philippot)
- Strategic Advisor: Emerton (Pascal Simon, François Sfarti, Quentin Pons, Sebastien Plessis, Yanis Benakouche)
- ESG Advisor: Axa Climate (Julien Famy, Delphine Godin)
About LBO France
A pioneer in private equity in France, the LBO France group is now a leading multi-specialist and multi-country investment platform. Active in Private Equity, Real Estate, Venture and on the listed markets, for several years the company has expanded its activities in Europe, particularly in Italy with Polis SGR, as well as on the African continent with its subsidiary CGF bourse. Owned 100% by its managers, LBO France is one of the founding members of the international climate initiative and one of the first signatories of France Invest’s charter for parity.
For more information: www.lbofrance.com
About Capital Croissance
Capital Croissance is a private equity management company with approximately €950 million in assets under management. It manages entrepreneurs’ funds that invest up to €50 million in equity and quasi-equity in impact start-ups, SMEs and mid-cap companies, in transactions such as MBOs, OBOs, MBIs, growth capital and venture capital (Seed and Series A).
LBO France media contact
Nizar Berrada: +33 6 38 31 90 50 / nizar.berrada@taddeo.fr