PRESS RELEASE
Paris, January 24, 2025
Acquisition of Arion: Didactic continues to grow and strengthen its positioning with the support of GENEO Capital Entrepreneur and UI Investissement
Didactic, a specialist in medical devices for the management of infectious risks and perfusion, is taking a new step in its development by integrating Arion, the European leader in innovative solutions for the hygiene of dependent patients. With the support of GENEO Capital Entrepreneur and UI Investissement, and alongside Bpifrance, MACSF and management, this strategic acquisition aims to accelerate the internationalization of the Group, enrich its offer and strengthen its industrial anchoring in Europe.
Strategic expansion to support growth
With this acquisition, Didactic is accelerating its development by relying on several strategic levers: international development, by strengthening its presence in key markets such as the Netherlands, Germany and Spain; the integration of high-level industrial know-how, thanks to Arion's expertise in clean room manufacturing; and relocation to Europe, in line with the France 2030 program, aimed at developing new production capacities there.
An operation serving an ambitious project: becoming a European leader
Founded in 1994 in the Netherlands, Arion is a key player in the European market, specializing in hygiene and support solutions for dependent patients. The company is particularly recognized for Swash, its range of pre-impregnated washcloths, and The Slide Solutions, innovative devices facilitating the use of compression stockings. With a turnover of €21.5 million in 2024 (+19% vs. 2023), a commercial presence in 25 countries and a production unit in the Netherlands, Arion completes Didactic's offer by adding high value-added solutions for caregivers and patients.
Founded in 1967 and managed since 2007 by Frédéric Viguié, Didactic places the prevention of infectious risks at the heart of care . By relying on the brands Polysem Medical, Dr Helewa, Hygie and Inter.med for infectious risk management and Infineed for perfusion, Didactic helps to limit the spread of infections associated with care while simplifying and protecting the lives of caregivers for the well-being of patients. With its 1,000 references, the Group supplies nearly 4,000 customers, mainly public hospitals, as well as private healthcare establishments and resellers, and specialized distributors for export. Didactic is notably the leader in examination gloves and in 2nd place in medical hygiene.
Established in Saint-Jean-de-la-Neuville (Seine-Maritime), in its new site inaugurated in 2023 which brings together the head office and the production, sterilization and logistics activities, Didactic has achieved strong growth in recent years, particularly internationally, while preserving its financial solidity.
Pro-forma of this acquisition, the Group achieves more than €90m in turnover and employs 240 people.
As part of this external growth operation, Didactic shareholders have made a significant reinvestment.
The infectious risk management market was highlighted by the health crisis, demonstrating the importance of securing supplies and relocating, in line with the challenges of industrial sovereignty. Backed by its leading position in France in several product ranges and its commitment to infectious risk prevention, the Group is strategically positioned in fast-growing markets, particularly since the Covid crisis.
A vision supported by committed partners
Frédéric Viguié, President of Didactic:
"This acquisition is fully in line with our development vision: strengthening our leadership in Europe, accelerating our international growth and offering ever more innovative solutions for infection prevention and patient well-being. Arion is a leading strategic partner, with whom we share values and a common ambition."
Stéphanie Kordonian, Associate Director of GENEO Capital Entrepreneur:
"We are delighted to support Didactic in this new phase. This transaction illustrates our commitment to positive finance, serving innovative and impactful industrial companies. Didactic has all the assets to become a European champion in the sector."
Stéphanie Pepineau, Associate Director UI Investment:
"International is the essential playground for the Didactic group, which will now distribute its products in 50 countries and generate more than 40% of its turnover outside France. The acquisition of Hygie in 2022 made it possible to establish itself on the North American continent, that of Arion strengthens its influence in Northern Europe while relying on ranges that are very complementary to those of the historical French establishments, driven by questions of industrial sovereignty."
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About GENEO Capital Entrepreneur :
The purpose of GENEO Capital Entrepreneur is to provide the real economy with positive finance that combines performance and meaning.
Designed to reveal the potential for value creation, job creation and impact of SMEs and ETIs, GENEO Capital Entrepreneur has nearly 740 million euros under management. In particular, it manages the "evergreen" investment company GENEO Capital, whose capital is majority-owned by families and entrepreneurs. GENEO thus provides tailor-made capital, which adapts to the pace of each company and provides responsiveness and flexibility.
As a business partner and mission-driven company, GENEO is committed to providing support for the execution of structuring, growth and transformation projects through all of its teams, including its specialized "business partners" (external growth, structuring of liabilities, positive impact, digital and innovation). It also has a platform of more than 70 independent experts and a Community of more than 230 families and entrepreneurs, offering experience sharing and a business network that is unique in France. The terms of this operational support are adapted to the specific needs of each company and formalized jointly by the GENEO team, the management team and the other shareholders of the company in a "Growth Notebook".
Passionate about those who do, create and want to shake things up, the GENEO team's only ambition is to bring that of each entrepreneur to the highest level.
At GENEO, when we invest, we invest!
For more information: www.geneocapitalentrepreneur.com
About UI Investissement :
UI is an independent company specializing in business development. For over 50 years, UI has been committed to working alongside managers of start-ups, SMEs and ETIs to create and develop economically and sustainably successful companies. UI Investissement manages more than 1.5 billion euros in assets and invests with over 300 managers in business sectors essential to society, such as healthcare, agri-business, industry and services. Expansion and buyout capital, the historical core of UI's business, accounts for over half of assets under management, enabling more than 50 companies to benefit from the operational expertise and methodological tools developed by UI. At the same time, the teams and investment vehicles dedicated to innovation and consolidation enable us to support companies throughout their life cycle and contribute to the economic dynamism of the regions.
Today, UI has 80 employees and, in addition to its Paris-based teams, more than 10 regional offices (Besançon, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, Lille, Limoges, Lyon, Nantes, Orléans, Reims, Rennes, Strasbourg...).
For further information: www.ui-investissement.fr
Press contacts :
For GENEO Capital Entrepreneur :
Common Good Advisory:
Hugues de Tournemine / h.detournemire@bcadvisory.fr / 06 67 07 22 33
Frédéric Paillet – 06 61 81 16 53 – f.paillet@bcadvisory.fr
For UI Investment:
Laurent Maillard – 06 60 59 77 07 / communication@ui-investment.fr
