A transformative ownership transition and growth transaction for the French leader in medical furniture made in France.
Villard is embarking on a new chapter of growth alongside a consortium of financial investors led by Yotta Capital Partners, with support from BNP Paribas Développement, Ouest Croissance, and UNEXO. This transaction marks a key milestone in the company’s development, with Carmine Capital serving as financial advisor.
Founded in 1947, Villard has established itself over the decades as an essential partner in the healthcare sector. The company designs and manufactures, in France, a wide range of logistics solutions and equipment for healthcare facilities, recognized for their quality, durability, and perfect suitability for the daily needs of healthcare professionals.
Under the leadership of CEO Franck Esclapez, who has been at the helm of the company since 2008, Villard has experienced sustained and structured growth, both in France and internationally, and today generates more than €20 million in revenue from over 10,000 healthcare facilities worldwide. Its growth is based on proven industrial expertise, continuous innovation, and strong local roots, complemented by the gradual integration of environmental and CSR considerations.
A majority sale structured as a succession and a long-term growth strategy
Having supported the development of Villard for more than thirty years, Franck Esclapez decided to transfer a majority stake in the Company in order to ensure the continuity of the entrepreneurial project while providing it with the means to enter a new cycle of growth.
The entry of financial partners therefore enables this transition to be carried out in continuity, alongside Franck Esclapez and a group of shareholder-managers.
This transaction is intended to support the Company’s strategic priorities: strengthening the brand and product range, accelerating international development, and continuing industrial investment and digitalisation.
Financial partners aligned with Villard’s industrial and responsible DNA
The transaction is based on the investment of Yotta Capital Partners, a leading investor in industrial SMEs committed to sustainable performance, alongside BNP Paribas Développement, Ouest Croissance and UNEXO, recognised players in regional and national private equity.
Beyond their equity contribution, these partners bring together complementary expertise in industrial development, growth structuring, managerial support and the integration of environmental and social challenges.
Alongside Franck Esclapez and the group of shareholder-managers, this pool of investors will support the Company in the operational implementation of this new cycle of development.
Carmine Capital supported Villard throughout the transaction through a tailored approach, structured around several key drivers:
thorough strategic preparation, enabling the clarification of the succession challenges and the medium- and long-term growth ambitions;
rigorous investor targeting, focusing on partners able to bring far more than capital: industrial expertise, a responsible vision and long-term support;
a controlled and confidential process, ensuring alignment of interests between the shareholder-manager, the management team and the new shareholders;
constant attention paid to the human and industrial project, at the core of the success of this transfer.
This transaction therefore marks the opening of a new chapter for Villard, with the ambition of strengthening its position as the French market leader and, alongside its new partners, building a leading player at European level.
After more than 30 years entirely dedicated to the development of Villard, this outstanding company, I decided to transfer a majority of my shareholding to Yotta Capital Partners, a French private equity firm, alongside a pool of regional financial investors.
The philosophy, values and objectives of Yotta Capital Partners and its co-investors — namely industrial development rooted in local territories, a genuine social and environmental commitment, and controlled growth ambitions — are fully aligned with Villard’s DNA.
I am convinced that this succession will provide Villard with the opportunity to continue its strong momentum and will offer all of its employees the professional fulfilment they deserve.
Franck Esclapez, Chairman of Villard
SELLER:
Villard – Chairman: Franck Esclapez
MFO Advisor: Laplace – Julien Richard
M&A Advisor: Carmine Capital – Anne-Laure Saint-Marc Girardin, Clément Richard, Alexandre Merle, Yann le Bars
Legal Advisor: Juri Ouest – Valérie Camus
MFO Advisor: Laplace – Julien Richard
INVESTORS:
Yotta Capital Partners – Xavier Herrmann, François de La Vigne, Nina Hervé, Charles de Gastines
BNP Paribas Développement – Julien Marronnier, Thibault le Pomellec, Marjorie Loiseleur
Ouest Croissance – Laurent Bodin, François Huguet
UNEXO – Antony Lemarchand, Pierre-Antoine Perennes, Lise le Glaunec, Romain David
Managers – Thomas Busson, Bruno Dansette, Jérôme Ficamos, Laurence Lebouc, Frédéric Lesné
SENIOR DEBT:
Caisse d’Épargne Bretagne Pays de la Loire – Lionel Milot, Steven Couzic, Guillaume Roussel
Banque Populaire Grand Ouest – Jean-Marie Pitel
Crédit Agricole Maine Anjou – Pierre-Emmanuel Léger
Crédit Mutuel de Maine Anjou et Basse Normandie – Forent Cochereau
INVESTORS’ M&A ADVISOR :
Rothschild & Co – Guillaume Dary, Edouard Lancksweirt, Alexandre Romann-Goll
INVESTORS’ LEGAL ADVISOR – CORPORATE:
ACR – Marie Hostiou, Emmanuelle Belland
INVESTORS’ LEGAL ADVISOR – TAX:
ACR – Jean-Baptiste Marty
INVESTORS’ LEGAL ADVISOR – SOCIAL :
ACR – Sarah Tordjman
MANAGERS’ LEGAL ADVISOR:
Oratio – Yvan Marjault, Tom Desor
INVESTORS’ LEGAL ADVISOR – SENIOR DEBT:
Agilys – David Kalfon, Rabah Meddour
BUY-SIDE FINANCIAL DUE DILIGENCE:
Oderis – William Tartier, Clara Cheliout, Théo Scaglione
BUY-SIDE HR DUE DILIGENCE:
Keyman – Foulques Chombart de Lauwe, Pélagie Pagart Comble, Laëtitia Ameil
BUY-SIDE STRATEGIC DUE DILIGENCE:
Operandi – Rachid Mouchaouche
MANAGERS, VALUATION ADVISOR:
Squareness – Jérôme Fortin, Souhail Zouhal, Rwani Vaubon
