20 March 2025

Formes & Sculptures completes a primary LBO with CM-CIC Investissement

LBO

sector Marketing & Communication

Formes & Sculptures shapes the future with CM-CIC Investissement

Customer Formes & Sculptures

Formes & Sculptures is a recognized French player in the creation of merchandising materials, both ephemeral and permanent POS displays, for the luxury and cosmetics sectors. Founded in 1985 by Jacques Tenenhaus, the group is now led by Mathias Tenenhaus. By opening its capital for the first time to an investor, the SME, which generates €35 million in revenue, aims to continue expanding internationally, particularly through external growth operations, and to involve key executives in building a genuine future-oriented project, while maintaining its independence.

Counterparties CM-CIC Investissement

Venture capital, development capital, transmission capital, mergers and acquisitions advisory. CM-CIC Investissement, a subsidiary of Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale, offers all high-end financing services to meet the equity financing needs of businesses. Beyond professionalism, its deeply human approach to the business, and its proximity to company leaders, it is also the consistency of its long-term support that defines the success of this approach. CM-CIC Investissement invests its own capital (€3 billion) in more than 350 companies that make up its portfolio of investments. CM-CIC Investissement has expanded its activities internationally under the CIC Capital brand. Already established in Canada (Montreal and Toronto), this offering has been extended to the United States (New York and Boston) and Europe (Frankfurt, Zurich, and Geneva).

Formes & Sculptures primarily serves the cosmetics, fragrance, and luxury industries, the leading consumers of POS (Point of Sale) displays. The family-owned group distinguishes itself from competitors through its agility in the creative process. Its production facilities, spread across three sites (France, Serbia, China), are capable of swiftly meeting large international projects as well as small series for local markets. The company operates multi-material factories that produce high-quality, cost-effective ephemeral POS displays and permanent furniture, all in line with eco-design principles. It has developed a highly innovative and integrated CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) approach, still rare in this sector, which considers the product lifecycle from design and manufacturing to installation and recycling.

Moreover, Formes & Sculptures is one of the leaders in the sector with a strong international presence, particularly in China, providing it with privileged access to the Asian market. The group employs 150 people across Bléré (37), which houses a design office and an 18,000 m² factory, and Paris for the creative studio and commercial outpost.

"We aim to scale up by strengthening our international presence and expanding our activity to the watchmaking-jewelry and eyewear markets. Switzerland and Italy are key targets for establishing a presence with luxury houses, either through organic growth or acquisitions. The long-term supportive approach of CM-CIC Investissement, along with their expertise, pragmatism, and network, convinced us as they provide us with relevant tools for reflection that assist in our strategic decisions. We plan to double our revenue within the next 5 to 7 years," explains Mathias Tenenhaus.

"We are investing €7.3 million in this beautiful family-owned SME that has built a portfolio of 220 prestigious brands over 30 years in a demanding and challenging sector. We believe in its growth potential, especially in a fragmented market that is conducive to acquisition opportunities, where we will be ready to act. Formes & Sculptures has solid strengths: its high level of quality, its full-service offering, its ability to respond to international tenders, the robustness of its business model, and the strong complementarity of its top management, who are making significant investments in the operation. We believe that this positioning will allow Formes & Sculptures to continue its growth both in its traditional market segments and in the new sectors it aims to target," explain Thierry Aubert and Romain Freismuth, Directors of Participations at CM-CIC Investissement.