3i Group plc (“3i”) today announces that it has agreed to invest €150m in Ponroy Santé Group (“Ponroy”).

3i Group plc (“3i”) today announces that it has agreed to invest €150m in Ponroy Santé Group (“Ponroy”), a leader in the natural Consumer Healthcare (“CHC”) industry in Europe, with a presence in Asia and the Americas.

Fabrice Cahierc will continue to lead the company as CEO together with Philippe Charrier, who will join as Executive Chairman and shareholder. Arnaud Ponroy, former Executive Chairman of Ponroy, will continue to be a member of the Strategic Committee. Arnaud Ponroy and Fabrice Cahierc will keep invested interests in Ponroy.

Ponroy was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Boufféré, near Nantes, France. It manufactures a wide range of “natural healthcare and cosmetics products” from functional and natural food supplements (for stress control, energy and memory boosters, sleeping aids, slimming, probiotics, menopause etc.) to natural cosmetics and hygiene products for babies and women.

Since inception, Ponroy has grown year on year organically without interruption to reach more than €170m of revenues. Growth has accelerated over the last 4 years above 10% CAGR on revenues. The business is well positioned due to its multi-distribution channel strategy which includes large retailers (hypermarkets and supermarkets), pharmacies and drugstores, specialised diet retailers, mail order and online sales. It owns several well-known brands, including Biolane, Yves Ponroy, Vitarmonyl, Manhae, Lecitone, Force G, Ultrabiotique, and Naturé Moi.

Ponroy manufactures almost all of its products in its world class plant in France and currently exports to over 50 countries through a large network of distributors. The company has 35% international sales and has developed profitable subsidiaries in fast growing markets including Italy, Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong and particularly China.

Rémi Carnimolla, Managing Director, and Guillaume Basquin, Director, 3i Private Equity France, said: “Ponroy is a market leader with considerable potential for future organic and external growth due to the global mega trends in natural healthcare and well-being. Its innovation capabilities are impressive. We will support Ponroy’s management team to build on the company’s strength in Europe, and further develop its global presence by expanding into other markets, especially Asia, with the support of our co-investor Cathay Capital.”

Philippe Charrier, Executive Chairman, Ponroy, said: “I am delighted to invest in Ponroy at this time, and to be working again with the team at 3i whom I know well. This is a fragmented market, and Ponroy is well-positioned to actively participate in the consolidation taking place, in particular the ongoing convergence between consumer and pharmaceutical players.”

Fabrice Cahierc, CEO, Ponroy, added: “Ponroy has expanded significantly over recent years and has an exciting future ahead. We look forward to benefiting from 3i’s strong track record and experience in this sector, as well as its wide international network and its know-how in terms of build-ups.”

Philippe Charrier was CEO of Labco from 2011 to 2015 and then Executive Chairman until 2016. He was CEO of Oenobiol, a European leader in nutritional, health & beauty food supplements, from 2006 to 2010. Prior to this, he was CEO of Procter & Gamble, France for over seven years. He was also Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Spotless until 2010, Board member of Lafarge until 2016 and is currently Board member at Rallye and at MédiPôle Partenaires. He is the founder of the association Clubhouse France, which focuses on enhancing the quality of life of people suffering from psychiatric disorders.

The transaction is subject to customary and anti-trust approvals.

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For further information, contact:

3i Group plc
Toby Bates
Media enquiries
Tel: +44 20 7975 3021
Email: toby.bates@3i.com

Imogen Harvey
Media enquiries
Tel: +44 20 7975 3027
Email: imogen.harvey@3i.com

Kablé Communication Finance
Dimitri Lecerf
Catherine Kablé
Tel :+33 1 44 50 54 76
Email : catherine.kable@kable-cf.com

Notes to editors:

About 3i Group

3i is an investment company with three complementary businesses, Private Equity, Infrastructure and Debt Management, specialising in core investment markets in Northern Europe and North America.
For further information, please visit: www.3i.com

Regulatory information 
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Investments plc, advised by 3i France.