FR

Our transactions

Activity :
Industry

Customer :
Caterham

Acquirer :
VT Holdings

Advice :
Sébastien Aymard, Paul Bougnoux, Robin Milome

About Largillière Finance

With offices in Paris, Nantes, Brussels and Geneva, Largillière Finance is an independent investment bank dedicated to assisting managers and shareholders of small and medium-sized companies with their capital transactions: company sales and acquisitions, financing (capital and/or debt), financial engineering (valuation, etc.) and financial strategy.

Sales - 2021

Sale of Caterham to VT Holdings

Largillière Finance, the French investment bank, has been chosen by the Malaysian businessman, owner of Air Asia, Tony Fernandes, to orchestrate the sale of the Caterham car manufacturer, the sole heir of the mythical Lotus Seven, which he had owned for more than 10 years.

This British jewel goes under Japanese flag but remains in the hands of car enthusiasts. Thanks to the expertise of Largillière Finance, its new owner is none other than VT Holdings, its largest importer in Japan. A historic transfer that offers a new future to the famous car created in 1957!

Carried out in an eminently international environment, in the heart of a particularly attractive sector, this transaction is historic for all motorsport aficionados. Beyond the financial aspects alone, the preservation of a heritage and the creation of a future for the legendary Caterham brand are at stake.

An international transaction between car enthusiasts.

It is in a singular context that the teams of Largillière Finance, led by Sébastien Aymard, Managing Partner of the Swiss subsidiary, worked to complete the transaction. Beyond the problems linked to the Brexit or the Covid-19 crisis, the manufacturer had to adapt to a more complex regulatory context: new anti-pollution standards.

Largillière Finance's added value consisted not only in its business expertise as an investment bank but also, and above all, in identifying and negotiating with a relevant player who was already familiar with the brand and perfectly aware of its client's market and its challenges.

Kazuho Takahashi, CEO of VT Holdings, is not only passionate about motorsport but has been a driver for 20 years. As the first importer of the legendary brand in Japan, he understands the DNA of the Caterham brand as well as its heritage: "We are delighted to be able to write the new chapter of this very special brand" he declares.

 

Stakeholders

Client  Tony Fernandes
Buyer  VT Holdings
M&A Advice : Largillière Finance Sébastien Aymard, Paul Bougnoux, Robin Milome

Sébastien Aymard, Managing Partner Largillière Finance Switzerland :

We would like to thank our client, Tony Fernandes, President of Air Asia, for entrusting us with the mandate to sell this emblematic brand and its heritage. This achievement is a perfect illustration of the proximity that we advocate in the way we accompany entrepreneurs in their transactions. We are proud to have successfully completed this transaction and to contribute to perpetuate the iconic image of Caterham Cars.

Paul Bougnoux, Founding Partner of Largillière Finance :

The culture of enterprise is written into the DNA of Largillière Finance. We always go beyond the financial aspects of a transaction. It is important to us to create perspectives, and in this case, a future for our clients. This is how we intend to accompany them as best we can, as close as possible to their needs.

With more than 40 employees, a strong international presence and nearly 30 operations in 2023, Largillière Finance confirms its leader position in small and midcap in France.

2021 – Fusions & Acquisitions – Opérations Small Cap – Banque d’affaires – France 2021 – Capital investissement – Opérations LBO Small Cap – Banque d’affaires – France

Investment Banking: Growth Dynamics: Silver Trophy 2022 M&A Advisory: Retail & Consumer Goods, FIG, TMT, Industry: 2021 Silver Trophy.

About Largillière Finance

With offices in Paris, Nantes, Brussels and Geneva, Largillière Finance is an independent investment bank dedicated to assisting managers and shareholders of small and medium-sized companies with their capital transactions: company sales and acquisitions, financing (capital and/or debt), financial engineering (valuation, etc.) and financial strategy.

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