The Delabie Group has announced that it has entered into an agreement with funds advised by Equistone, the majority shareholder of KWC Professional, and with the other minority shareholders, to acquire 100% of the share capital of KWC Professional – formerly known as Franke Water Systems – and its subsidiaries.
Delabie says the acquisition ‘marks a major milestone in its growth trajectory, further strengthening its position as the European market leader’ in tapware and sanitary equipment for public and commercial buildings. It said: “By bringing together two companies with recognised expertise and complementary geographic and commercial footprints, the transaction will give birth to a major industrial group firmly rooted across the European continent.”
KWC Professional brings to Delabie its ‘renowned technical know-how’, a complementary brand portfolio (KWC, Aquarotter, DVS – formerly Dart Valley Systems, and Sissons), and a strong presence in high-demand market segments. Delabie added: “This complementarity has been further reinforced by the 2024 acquisition of Newcastle Joinery Ltd, a UK-based specialist in furniture and sanitary solutions for correctional facilities.” Following the transaction, nearly 70% of Delabie’s revenue will be generated outside France. The company says the acquisition will enable it to ‘broaden its solution offering’, and significantly expand its market presence, particularly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Middle East, the Nordics, and the United Kingdom.
Delabie said: “This transaction is grounded in a shared strategic vision – to build an integrated, resilient European group, capable of delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to its customers. It also opens up new growth opportunities for all employees of both companies, by bringing together their talent around a common, ambitious project.
Luc Delabie, Co-CEO of Delabie Group (pictured), said: “We are delighted to welcome KWC Professional into our family-owned group. With this acquisition, we are creating a strong pan-European player, ideally positioned to support our clients in all their projects by offering even more innovative and sustainable solutions.”
Marten van der Mei, CEO of KWC Professional, added: "The combination with Delabie marks a milestone in the history of our company. We share the same values, a culture of quality, and a forward-looking industrial vision. Joining our forces opens a new and promising chapter – for both our customers, which can continue to rely on our high-quality service offering and their trusted points of contact, and our people.”
Equistone Partners Europe is an independent investment firm wholly owned and managed by its partners and its executives, with teams of experienced professional investors based in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, and the UK.
