H.I.G. WhiteHorse Strengthens CCE Group with New Credit Facility

In a significant development within the aerospace industry, H.I.G. WhiteHorse, a credit subsidiary of the global investment firm H.I.G. Capital, has officially announced its provision of a new secured credit facility to CCE Group. This move is seen as a vital step toward propelling CCE Group's strategic objectives within the niche markets of cabin and cargo equipment, further enhancing its stability and growth.

Founded in 2023 and based out of Paris, CCE Group emerged as a result of a carve-out from Safran, specifically from the divisions of Driessen and AviusULD. The company has since established itself as a formidable player dedicated to developing businesses that lead in specialized markets of cabin and cargo solutions. Driessen is recognized as a global leader in kitchen equipment solutions while AviusULD excels in the production of unit load devices (ULD).

Klaus Hofmann, CEO of CCE, alongside Pierre Mazières, the Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of CCE, expressed their enthusiasm for the new funding. They indicated it's a significant milestone for CCE, providing the firm with enhanced flexibility to speed up its strategic initiatives. "Since our separation from Safran, we have built a solid and independent foundation. Thanks to our industry trust, we are now positioned to accelerate our vision of becoming a market leader in cabin and cargo equipment," said Hofmann.

Adding to the sentiment, Barthélemy Grave, Principal at Hivest Capital Partners, expressed excitement about this partnership and its potential impact on CCE’s growth strategy. He noted that H.I.G. WhiteHorse is a valuable ally, one that is set to firmly support CCE’s growth endeavors moving forward.

Pascal Meysson, head of H.I.G. WhiteHorse Europe, praised CCE’s impressive organizational structure and market leadership. He remarked, "Supporting market leaders is what we do best, and CCE, as a global front-runner, is the ideal partner. We are grateful for the confidence Hivest and its leadership have placed in us and are excited to contribute towards their continued success."

Charles Bourgeois, General Director of H.I.G. WhiteHorse Europe, commented on the hard work of Hivest and CCE's management team in ensuring a successful carve-out from Safran. He noted, "Their efforts have created substantial value. We are thrilled to accompany CCE and Hivest in this exciting new chapter of their development and are confident in their potential for continued growth supported by robust structural dynamics."

Looking Ahead: CCE Group and Its Vision

As an aerospace equipment platform, CCE Group’s portfolio includes leaders like AviusULD, which provides a comprehensive range of ULD products, including lower deck and main deck containers, pallets, and spare parts. Additionally, Driessen Catering Equipment leads the kitchen equipment market by offering a variety of essential products such as trolleys, containers, cooling systems, and connectivity solutions.

This funding marks a promising growth trajectory for CCE, reinforcing their commitment to enhancing operational performance and driving market-leading innovations in the aviation sector. The backing from H.I.G. not only speaks to the potential of CCE but also affirms H.I.G.'s strategy of investing in companies with formidable market positions, ensuring a bright future for both entities.

For further information about CCE Group, visit cc-equipment.com.

About Hivest Capital

Hivest Capital, with approximately €900 million under management, is an independent French private equity firm that aims to boost the performance of small and mid-cap firms across Europe and the United States through ambitious growth strategies. They focus on conducting buyouts and capital expansion projects in companies with revenues ranging from €50 million to €500 million. To learn more, visit hivestcapital.com.

About H.I.G. Capital

Founded in 1993, H.I.G. Capital is a leader in alternative investment with $67 billion in capital under management. With an extensive footprint across the world, H.I.G. specializes in providing equity and debt capital to middle-market companies, primarily focusing on operational and strategic enhancement. For more details, visit hig.com.