Global private equity firm Advent International has completed the acquisition of the Card Systems and Identity divisions of the François-Charles Oberthur Fiduciaire Group, following workers’ council consultation and the approval of the transaction by relevant market authorities.
The transaction is valued at €1.15bn.
Advent International, along with the company’s management, now controls 90% of Oberthur Technologies’ capital. Jean-Pierre Savare, founder of the Oberthur group and his family retain a 10% stake in the capital. Xavier Drilhon, previously Deputy Managing Director of Oberthur group and Managing Director of the Card Systems division, has been appointed CEO of Oberthur Technologies.
According to a written statment, Advent International plans to help Oberthur Technologies grow through external acquisitions, which may further enhance the technological development and complement existing know-how.
Specialized in digital security based on smart card technology, Oberthur Technologies provides systems development, solutions and services for smart cards (payment cards, SIM cards, access cards, NFC, etc.) and for secure identity documents, traditional and electronic (identity card, passport, health care card), operating in the mobile and payment industries as well as government and corporate markets.
Created in 1984, the group (headquartered in Levallois-Perret, France) currently employs 5,700 employees with 50 sales offices across 5 continents and an international network serving clients in 140 countries.
It posted sales of €814.5m for the fiscal year 2010.
New CEO Xavier Drilhon joined François-Charles Oberthur Group in 1994, playing a key role in the international development of the group.
Graduate of Telecom Sud Paris and of Harvard Business School (PMD 72), he began his career at Arthur Andersen and KPMG Peat Marwick.
44 years old, Drilhon is married with four children.
FinSMEs
03/12/2011