MANAMA, 19 February 2006 — Investcorp, the global investment group specializing in alternative investments, has acquired Autodistribution, the leading French independent distributor of car, truck and industrial spare parts.
Autodistribution supplies products to all types of garages including more than 2,600 affiliated garages and body repair shops under the AD and Autoprimo brands, as well as to truck repair shops and truck carriers, fleet managers and industrial customers. It has a network of 130 wholesalers running 600 distribution outlets.
Opportunities to make private equity investments in Autodistribution are currently being offered to a select group of Investcorp’s clients in the region.
Investcorp’s chief operating officer, Gary Long, said: “Autodistribution is an extremely attractive investment given its commanding position within the French market. The management team has ambitious growth plans to take the company to new levels of excellence in service to its affiliates and customers, as well as to develop its international presence.”
Autodistribution’s chief executive officer, Olivier Van Ruymbeke, said: “Investcorp is the ideal partner for the next stage of our development, giving us the right backing both to consolidate further the French market, and to initiate European consolidation. Investcorp understands our industry in depth, and so we’re excited about the prospects for Autodistribution and the benefits this can bring to our own distributors, our network of independent affiliates, our business partners, staff and other stakeholders.”
Private equity is one of four products in Investcorp’s alternative investment offering, alongside real estate investment, hedge funds and venture capital.
Investcorp announced net income of $110.3 million for the recent fiscal year ended June 30, 2005, an increase of 22 percent over the previous audited fiscal year. Income before operating expenses, at $324.7 million, was a record achievement for the Firm.