Automotive OEM Mecaplast’s (Monaco; www.mecaplast.com) search for a financial partner to help it accelerate its international development is over. In late January 2016, Equistone Partners Europe (Munich / Germany; www.equistone.com) said it intends to acquire a majority stake in the Monacan group. No further details were made available. The purchase, which still has to be approved by the competition authorities, would split control over Mecaplast among Equistone, chairman and founding family member Thierry Manni, Bpifrance as well as the company’s current management.

The new investor is to help Mecaplast achieve its goal of lifting sales to EUR 1 bn by 2018 (for details, see Plasteurope.com of 29.01.2016). The three areas identified by the automotive OEM for growth are its commercial and industrial footprint abroad, more capacity for innovation as well as improved operational performance and financial strength. Commenting on the proposed ownership reshuffle, Mecaplast CEO Pierre Boulet said, “This development will enable us to continue our organic growth strategy, but also to envisage appropriate external growth, in order to confirm the group’s position as one of the leaders in its field.” To achieve its 2018 sales target, the company plans to make a number of acquisitions abroad, singling out Germany, Portugal and Japan, among others.