Didactic announces the reorganization of its shareholder base and welcomes GENEO Capital Entrepreneur and UI Investissement to become a major European player in the manufacture and distribution of medical devices and consumables.

PRESS RELEASE

Paris, December 10, 2024

Alongside Bpifrance, MACSF and the company's management team, UI Investissement and GENEO Capital Entrepreneur are working on a project combining sovereignty and reindustrialization, with the aim of
strengthen Didactic's leadership position Didactic s leading position in the infectious risk management and perfusion markets, particularly internationally. They take over from FCDE, which had been a shareholder for 3 years.

Founded in 1967 and headed by Frédéric Viguié since 2007, Didactic puts the prevention of infectious risks at the heart of healthcare. With its brands Polysem Medical, Dr Helewa, Hygie and Inter.med for infectious risk management, and Infineed for infusions, Didactic contributes to limiting the spread of healthcare-associated infections, while simplifying and protecting the lives of caregivers for the well-being of patients. With its 850 product references, the Group supplies nearly 4,000 customers, mainly public hospitals, as well as private healthcare establishments and resellers. Didactic is the market leader in examination gloves and 2nd in medical hygiene.

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.

Based in Saint-Jean-de-la-Neuville (Seine-Maritime), Didactic has achieved strong growth in recent years, particularly internationally, while preserving its financial solidity. The new site, which will be inaugurated in 2023, houses the company's head office as well as production, sterilization and logistics activities. Didactic currently generates sales of €70m and employs 140 people.

An ambitious development plan

Alongside its new investors, Didactic will pursue an ambitious development plan focused on :

- Significant organic growth in France and abroad, notably in Canada where the Group is already established thanks to the acquisitions of Dr. Helewa (2019) and Hygie (2022);
- A dynamic external growth strategy with several targets identified, enabling the Group to expand its international footprint;
- The exploration of new diversification opportunities in complementary segments.
- In addition, and in order to reduce dependence on international supply chains, Didactic is participating in the relocation of production, in line with the France 2030 program, with the support of Bpifrance. Didactic is thus preparing for the future by combining operational excellence, product innovation and industrial roots in France. A first step has been taken with participation in a project to relocate the manufacture of examination gloves to France. Since 2021, a second project embodies this long-term strategy to build the first Made in France perfusionist factory.

Responsible growth

Didactic fully integrates sustainable development into its strategy, with a structured CSR policy. Concrete initiatives include the "Made in France" infusion project, which encourages relocation and reduces the environmental footprint of products. In addition, the Group is Ecovadis Silver certified, and is committed to limiting its environmental impact while strengthening the sustainability of its supply chains.

"This strategic transaction marks an important milestone for Didactic which has been able to accelerate and consolidate thanks to the support of the FCDE. With the arrival of GENEO Capital Entrepreneur and UI Investissement, we will be able to propel the company even further in its development, through organic growth and a proactive acquisition policy". Frédéric Viguié, President of Didactic

"We are delighted to welcome Didactic to the GENEO Community of positive finance entrepreneurs. This operation is a perfect illustration of GENEO's strategy and values: with the support of our Growth Book, we support ambitious, innovative companies committed to a long-term vision, embracing major societal and environmental challenges. Didactic has all the assets needed to become a European champion, thanks to a solid team and strategic positioning in dynamic markets. We are fully mobilized to support the Group in its plans for international expansion, impact and innovation, while promoting a strong industrial base and genuine value sharing". Stéphanie Kordonian, Managing Partner of GENEO Capital Entrepreneur

"In 2007, when Didactic's founder wished to retire, UI Investissement joined forces with Frédéric Viguié in this transfer operation. At the time, Didactic had sales of €12m. This partnership enabled the Group to structure itself and achieve significant growth. A UI entrepreneur since leaving UI in 2013, Frédéric Viguié had remained at the heart of the UI community, providing UI managers with his expertise and experience. Didactic has grown, UI Investissement has grown, and it's a great pleasure to find ourselves once again partners in this new stage of development". Stéphanie Pepineau, Managing Partner UI Investissement

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About GENEO Capital Entrepreneur :

GENEO Capital Entrepreneur's raison d'être is to provide the real economy with positive finance that reconciles performance and meaning.
Designed to unlock the potential for value creation, job creation and impact of SMEs and ETIs, GENEO Capital Entrepreneur has nearly 560 million euros under management. In particular, it manages the "evergreen" investment company GENEO Capital, whose capital is majority-owned by families and entrepreneurs. GENEO provides tailor-made capital that adapts to the pace of each company, offering responsiveness and flexibility.
As a business partner and mission-driven company, GENEO mobilizes all its teams, including specialized business partners (external growth, liability structuring, positive impact, digital and innovation), to support the execution of structuring, growth and transformation projects. It also boasts a platform of over 70 independent experts and a Community of more than 220 families and entrepreneurs, providing a unique opportunity to share experience and build a business network unmatched in France. The terms of this operational support are tailored to the specific needs of each company and formalized jointly by the GENEO team, the management team and the company's other shareholders in a "Carnet de croissance".
Passionate about those who make, create and want to move the lines, the GENEO team's sole ambition is to take each entrepreneur's ambition 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

Speakers:

- Management: Frédéric Viguié, Rabah Rafa, Pierre Gengembre, Eric Tanguay, Benoît Devaux, Anne Lebourdais, Guillaume Cantel, Romain Lelièvre, Pascal Jean, Jean-Baptiste Robillard, Sébastien Cardinaux.
- Partner: Laurent Helewa
- Legal and financial advisors Managers: Mayer Brown (Vincenzo Feldmann, Paul Granger, Christopher Lalloz, Oriane Fabre), FS Consulting (Fabien Sultan).
- Purchasers: UI Investissement (Stéphanie Pépineau, Olivier Jarrousse, François Gressant, Louis Champion, Paul Bernage), GENEO Capital Entrepreneur (Stéphanie Kordonian, Marc Dupuy, Louis Charrier, Antoine Riley), Bpifrance (Nicolas Dardenne, Amira Mnafek and Sarah Leclerc), MACSF (Sébastien Couvet).
- Financial due diligence: Exelmans (Stéphane Dahan, Benjamin Legal).
- Legal, Tax & Social Due Diligence: Sekri Valentin Zerrouk (Brian Martin, Jean-Guillaume Pechdo, Julie Richard).
- Legal advice and tax structuring Purchasers: De Pardieu Brocas Maffeis AARPI (Cédric Chanas, Mathieu Retiveau, Priscilla Van Den Perre, Mickael Ammar), Sekri Valentin Zerrouk (Pierre-Emmanuel Chevalier, Natacha Baratier, Enora Floury, Brian Martin, Jean-Guillaume Pechdo, Julie Richard).
- Legal counsel for financing: Mayer Brown (Maud Bischoff, Constance Bouchet).
- Purchaser Financing: Degroof Petercam Finance (Aymeric de Pontevès, Samuel Benarosch).
- Vendors: FCDE (Brice Carlot, Julien Di Marco, Clémence Dhombres, Quentin Armengaud).
- Investment banking Sold to: Cambon Partners (Nicolas Saint-Pierre, Maxime Wuthrich, Alain Boulet-Gercourt, Yahia Sarif, Arthur Coppin, Juliette Albrand, Laurent Neubauer).
- Financial Due Diligence Vendors: KPMG (Bertrand Thouvenel, Mouna Mghazli, Amaury Mandrile).
- Strategic and Operational Due Diligence for the sellers: Indefi (Julien Berger, Gabriel Rotily, Adam Laissaoui, Arthur Coppin, Ali Hayek).
- ESG Due Diligence Vendors: Indefi (Emmanuel Parmentier, Charlotte Salmon, Claire Lucron, Pranav Agarwal, Léo Luniewski).
- Legal Counsel for the sellers: Gramond & Associés (Xavier Gramond, Corinne Cousseau, Christelle Le Naour).

Press contacts :

For GENEO Capital Entrepreneur :

Bien Commun 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 Investissement :

Laurent Maillard - 06 60 59 77 07 / communication@ui-investissement.fr

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