Antin Infrastructure Partners is in talks to acquire a French owner and operator of leisure infrastructure from Caravelle.
Antin, which is investing on behalf of its Mid Cap Fund I, has entered into negotiations to acquire Belambra, which owns and operates a diverse portfolio of holiday clubs.
The deal will represent the ninth by Antin’s mid-cap strategy, which invests in established infrastructure companies in Europe and North America across the energy and environment, digital, transport and social infrastructure sectors.
Founded in 1959 and under Caravelle ownership since 2014, Belambra operates a portfolio of resorts and provides a full-service offering including accommodation, food, activities and sports.
Antin said its investment is expected to accelerate Belambra’s growth, while increasing asset ownership and pursuing further growth avenues such as new site openings.
Angelika Schöchlin and Mehdi Azizi, respectively managing partner and senior partner at Antin Infrastructure Partners, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Belambra’s high-quality management team to help accelerate the company’s successful transformation. In developed economies, holidays have become increasingly essential.
“Belambra is a good fit for our Mid Cap strategy: unique site locations, stable growth over the long term, and significant value creation potential. We are looking forward to working with Alexis and his team to drive the company forward.”
Charles Vilgrain, managing partner, Caravelle, said: “Through significant investments and an upmarket repositioning of Belambra’s clubs, the group has substantially improved its operational and commercial performance.
“The contemplated handover is fully aligned with Caravelle’s mission: supporting French companies through key phases of their development and enabling them, with the right partner, to open a new chapter in their history. I am confident that Antin will sustainably support Belambra’s growth in the years ahead.”
Alexis Gardy, CEO of Belambra, said: “The transformation work carried out by our teams in recent years, with the support of Caravelle, has delivered strong results.
“The arrival of Antin as majority shareholder gives us the means to further accelerate our development, while remaining true to our DNA and our mission: to offer accessible, welcoming, high-quality holidays across France, with an increasingly responsible approach.”
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