Secondary LBO for the Rossignol Group - M53

The industrial group, an expert in selective sorting solutions, waste collection, and Made in France hygiene equipment, is restructuring its shareholding around its management team.

With over 130 years of experience, Rossignol, a historic company within Groupe M53, has established itself as a key player in the French market for urban furniture and hygiene solutions. Under the leadership of a trio of executives—Joël Bresteaux, Eric Fayol, and Jean-Christophe Pascual—since 2017, the Group, advised by PAX Corporate Finance, has strengthened its position by integrating two complementary SMEs from western France: Buton Industries and Lebeau Moulages Béton (LMB). These acquisitions support the Group’s diversification and its strong positioning in the selective sorting and urban furniture markets.

Backed by UI Investissement since 2021 following a process already managed by PAX Corporate Finance, the Group is now transitioning to new financial investors: Yotta Capital Partners, Épopée Gestion, SWEN Capital Partners, and BNP Paribas Développement, its historic shareholder, which is once again renewing its trust in the company.

As part of this strategy, the Group has relied on its new shareholders to acquire MPS Toilettes Automatiques, enhancing its industrial expertise and broadening the diversity and depth of its product range in the hygiene market.

A key European player for over 30 years in the design, manufacturing, and commercialization of public restrooms, the Landes-based SME, with a revenue of around ten million euros, stands out for its leadership in a niche market, its expertise in stainless steel manufacturing, and its strong export presence. The management trio aims to build on these strengths and cultivate commercial and industrial synergies to further enhance the Group’s reach.

Statements from Key Stakeholders, Joël Bresteaux, Eric Fayol, and Jean-Christophe Pascual, Managers of Groupe M53

“After a structuring partnership with UI Investissement and BNP Paribas Développement, it was important for us to give new momentum to our strategy, both organically and externally. We are all particularly pleased with our partnership with our new investors—Yotta, Épopée, SWEN, and BNP Paribas Développement, which is renewing its trust in us for the second time.

For many years, we have been working with our teams to grow the Group while upholding the values that matter to us: promoting French expertise in service of our clients. The new challenges of future industries, particularly regarding decarbonization, are key priorities for us. The support of our new partners will help us achieve these goals. Alongside all the Group’s employees, we are committed to leveraging our skills to reach the objectives set with our partners.”*

Benoît Perrot, Founding Partner at Yotta Capital Partners

“We are delighted and proud to support Joël, Eric, Jean-Christophe, and their teams in this pivotal phase for the Group through our Yotta Smart Industry fund, backed by the Pays de la Loire region via its Pays de la Loire Participations fund.

Their solid and diversified positioning in the selective sorting and urban furniture markets, their industrial expertise, their regional roots in Pays de la Loire, and their proactive ESG approach convinced us of their alignment with our industrial investment thesis. We are eager to support the realization of synergies from these acquisitions, the digitalization of their industrial tools, and, of course, the decarbonization of their activities.”

Aymeric Le Renard, Partner at Épopée Gestion

“Groupe M53 is an industrial French group with strong local roots in the Pays de la Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, and now Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions with the acquisition of MPS.

We are convinced that the leadership team’s strategy of maintaining production in France is the right approach to best serve their clients. We will support them in continuing and accelerating the growth of a company that plays a crucial role in society, particularly in selective sorting.”

Laurent Ghilardi, Managing Director at SWEN Capital Partners

“As a committed investor, SWEN Capital Partners aims to support initiatives that balance industrial challenges with environmental responsibility.

By partnering with Groupe M53, a specialist in urban furniture and selective sorting, we are actively contributing—through our Territoires Innovants fund—to building more responsible and sustainable cities. We firmly believe that the transition to sustainable urban spaces is not only necessary but also beneficial for all.”

Julien Marronnier, Investment Director at BNP Paribas Développement

“We are pleased to continue supporting Groupe M53 through this transition, which notably enables the management team to strengthen its shareholding in the Group after successfully leading its development phase. This operation demonstrates BNP Paribas Développement’s ability to take a long-term approach, providing stable resources to high-performing companies and teams.”

PAX Corporate Finance’s Role
A few months ago, PAX Corporate Finance was mandated by all the Group’s shareholders to find a solution that would provide liquidity to investors as part of a new LBO while allowing the management team to finalize discussions with MPS. This acquisition required additional equity investment from the new group of financial investors. The LBO and MPS acquisition were financed through debt co-arranged by Arkéa and Helia Conseil.

Adrien Tourres and Simon Morin, Partners at PAX Corporate Finance, are pleased to have supported the shareholders and the Group throughout the LBO process and this third build-up operation in three years. Focused mainly on impact funds and regional investors, this transaction highlights the team’s expertise in supporting regional industrial SMEs.