Elis

M&A Activity • Apr 8, 2015

Elis continues its growth strategy in Europe with 5 new acquisitions in France, Spain, Germany and Switzerland

Puteaux, April 8 2015 – Elis, the leading multi-services group in Europe and in Brazil, specializing in the rental and maintenance of professional clothing, textile articles, hygiene and well-being appliances, is strengthening its European footprint with the recent closing of 5 acquisitions in France, Spain, Germany and Switzerland.

The 5 acquired companies have combined revenues of c. €30 million on a full-year basis. They will be consolidated in Elis' financial statements from the second quarter onwards.

With these acquisitions, Elis is continuing its strategy of targeted, value-creative bolt-ons and is strengthening its presence in several of its key markets.

In Germany, the Group has acquired a company operating 2 laundries in the Frankfurt region. After the acquisition of Kress in Munich, at the beginning of the year, this new acquisition now extends the Elis network to a total of 9 laundries spread across all Germany, and in particular across the Stuttgart-Essen axis. The new laundry, located in Simmern, is a high-quality industrial asset that will help Elis handle the additional volumes generated by its organic growth in the country.

In Spain, the Group has acquired the fourth-largest player in the industry, with one laundry in Alicante and one in the Balearic Islands, all mainly serving hotels. This acquisition provides Elis with a production center in the Costa Blanca region, a key tourist area where Elis already has clients that were either subcontracted or handles by the Saragossa laundry. The other site gives Elis a substantial market share in the Balearic Islands.

In Switzerland, the Group has acquired a company operating 3 laundries in the Canton of Graubünden (Grisons) and the Canton of St. Gallen, all mainly serving hotels. With this acquisition, Elis increases its coverage in the country, notably in the Canton of Graubünden, which is the second most important area for tourism in Switzerland. Elis now operates an unrivalled network of 14 laundries in the country, serving both legacy clients in the hospitality and healthcare segments, but also Industry clients with its workwear offer.

In France, the Group has acquired a business specialized in hygiene and well-being, serving Trade & Services clients in the Paris region, as well as a company operating a laundry mainly aimed at Hospitality & Catering clients in the Gironde region. These 2 acquisitions will help further optimize the Group's regional operations. In the Ile-de-France region, the new center's client portfolio and delivery rounds will be integrated in the heart of our Industry, Trade & Services network, allowing for a significant optimization. In the Gironde region, the integration of the new laundry will enable the redistribution of both volumes and delivery rounds between the various centers in the region.

Commenting on this announcement, Xavier Martiré, CEO of Elis, said:

"These acquisitions are perfectly in line with our strategy and our desire to consolidate our positions in France and in Europe. They densify Elis' network in particularly dynamic areas. The quick integration of the acquired companies and the transfer of know-how should both contribute to Elis' growth."

About Elis

Elis is a leading multi-services group in Europe and Brazil, specialized in the rental and maintenance of professional clothing and textile articles, as well as hygiene appliance and well-being services, owned by Eurazeo since October 2007. With more than 19,000 employees spread across 12 countries, Elis consolidated turnover in 2014 was €1.331 billion and consolidated EBITDA reached €429 million. Benefiting from more than a century of experience, Elis today services more than 240 000 businesses of all sizes in the hotel, catering, healthcare, industry, retail and services sectors, thanks to its network of 275 production and distribution centers and 13 clean rooms, which guarantees it an unrivalled proximity to its clients.

Contact

Investor Relations :

Nicolas Buron +33 1 41 25 46 77 nicolas.buron@elis.com