Trail enters into an exclusivity agreement for the acquisition of Electropoli

Trail, the European private equity investment firm, today announces the signature of an exclusivity agreement to acquire Electropoli, a leading provider of surface treatment services in Europe, notably for the automotive industry.

Trail would complete its investment alongside the management team of Electropoli led by Jean-Paul Bos, CEO, and together with China Synergy Fund, the investment platform set-up by CICC, China’s pre-eminent investment bank and private equity manager.

Headquartered in France, Electropoli has successfully developed into a pan-European company, benefitting from a strong technological and industrial process know-how. The company operates seven manufacturing sites in France, the Czech Republic and Poland as well as one R&D centre, based in France. Electropoli serves the premium car industry as well as the aerospace & defence and energy industries with a comprehensive range of metal treatment products and services.

This proposed acquisition is subject to prior information and consultation with the bodies representing Electropoli’s employees.

Mr. Xavier Marin, managing partner of Trail, said: “Together with our strategic partners of China Synergy Fund, we form an investment platform with strong local footprints and experience in Europe and China. We are in a position to transform small and mid-size European companies into global champions benefitting from a market presence in China, the major growth contributor to the world economy”.

Mr. Ding Wei, CEO of CICC Capital, co-manager of China Synergy Fund, said: “As a partner of Trail, we will allow successful European companies to grow into China with the benefit of CICC’s vast investment banking resources and strong experience as a leading private equity manager.”