Satys Aeropace acquires SPI Group

Satys, based in Toulouse, announced the acquisition of the Group SPI (Societe de Peinture Industrielle) based in Malville near Saint-Nazaire (France), to strengthen its market position in the aircraft painting, sealing and surface treatment. A new European leader in surface protection for both sub-assembly and aeronautic parts will emerge from the regrouping of the companies.

With over 40 years of experience in this business, SPI is very active in the aeronautics industry and has many long-standing partners such as Airbus, Airbus Atlantic, Thales, Safran, Dassault and Daher. It had a turnover of 40 million euros in 2019 vs 25 million euros in 2021(due to the crisis). It employs 500 people at 13 industrial sites in France as well as in Portugal and Morocco. SPI is also present in the space, rail and naval markets. This acquisition will significantly increase the size of Satys Aerospace: the group will have a turnover of 165 million for a full year post-Covid and will have more than 2200 employees in the world with 1300 in France. Satys will thus increase its number of sites from 32 to 45 in 13 countries.

"Our activities are complementary, in both know-how and geographically," points out Christophe Cador, founder and CEO of the Satys Group. "Like those in Satys, the SPI teams are highly qualified, and its management will maintain its role within Satys ensuring our shared objectives, notably on time delivery, capacity to innovate and reduction of the environmental footprint of our industrial activities.

This regrouping of know-how and references, in France and internationally, is also part of a dynamic process of consolidating the industry. In the context of the current economic recovery and the perspective of strong growth of the industry, the integration of SPI within Satys sets the path for a European leader in surface protection aircraft components." The CEO of Satys had already confirmed his ambition to grow in September 2021 when he announced the cash injection undertaken with Ace Capital Partners (subsidiary of Tikehau Capital), Credit Mutuel Equity, Bpifrance, l'IRDI Capital Investissement and a group of regional investors led by Credit Agricole Regions Investissement (CARVEST).

This acquisition will provide Satys Aerospace, world leader in aircraft painting, the opportunity to strengthen its position in the defense market. With the integration of SPI, 75% of the fighter jets of the French Air Force will be repainted by Satys in support of the AIA (Ateliers Industriels des Armees (Military Industrial Workshops). Satys will paint Rafale products in France for the French army and for export.

"The synergies between Satys and SPI are obvious," emphasises Gregory Mayeur, Satys Aerospace General Manger. "For our customers, this means consistency of the operational performance and strong ability to commit to handling increasingly complex and global projects as well as more innovation and competitiveness."

For the managers at Satys and SPI, the synergies between the two companies are the guarantee of increased operational excellence and access to new markets in Europe. "We are proud to work together with teams that have a recognised knowhow and the same values. We strongly believe that their complementarity will allow Satys Aerospace to reach its objectives in terms of development," say SPI President Patrick Monfort and General Manager Frederic Plouvier. The managers SPI will play a direct role in supporting this integration by heading up the new BU in a joint Management Committee of both Satys and SPI. Thus, demonstrating the trust already established between the two companies and a strong mutual commitment to the future.

For this acquisition, Satys Aerospace was advised by Ernst & Young for financial and HR due diligence and by Bignon-Lebray law office for legal matters. The SPI Group worked with the Oratio law firm and the Baker Tilly STREGO consulting firm for all social and financial aspects.

The acquisition of SPI by Satys Aerospace will take effect on February 1st, 2022.