Cassidian Test et Services, a world leader in test benches for aeronautical equipment, has officially confirmed the sale of its business by Airbus Group. Formerly a division of Airbus Group's defense branch, the new entity, named Spherea, becomes an intermediate-sized company (ETI) with 500 employees and sales of 100 million euros in 2013.
The new shareholders are ACE Management (43.04 %), IRDI - Institut Régional de Développement Industriel - (14.35 %), Financière de Brienne (6.70 %) and the company's management (2.44 %). Airbus Group remains a shareholder with 33.48 %.
The arrival of the two investors will enable Spherea to finance its development efforts while preserving all jobs and sites: " At Airbus Group, we had reached the limit of our growth potential. ACE Management and IRDI have enabled us to make the necessary investments in R&D and international expansion, which now accounts for more than half of our sales. "confirms Christian Dabasse, CEO and President of Spherea. " A mix of organic and external growth will be one of the preferred levers. "he concludes.
150 to 200 million euros in sales by 2018
The aeronautical and regional roots of the two main shareholders, ACE Management and IRDI, are one of the major strengths of SPHEREA's development project. In 2008, Aerofund - a fund managed by ACE Management and dedicated to structuring and strengthening the aeronautics industry - supported the development of numerous companies. IRDI, which has been supporting numerous industrial companies for over 30 years, has a number of successes to its credit in the Midi-Pyrénées and Aquitaine regions. The shared successes of its new shareholders underpin the ambitions of SPHEREA, which is targeting sales of 150 to 200 million euros by 2018.
Innovation and team spirit
By focusing its development on innovation and team spirit, SPHEREA aims to put people at the heart of its expertise. " We are at a turning point in our history. By becoming independent, we are becoming an autonomous entity, with resources commensurate with our ambitions and a common, shared corporate culture. The pride of belonging, the commitment and conviction of our employees are essential to SPHEREA's success. "reminds Mr. Dabasse. It's an essential development, one that will also enable the company to regain the agility and responsiveness needed to conquer new markets, particularly in emerging countries such as China, India, Brazil and Russia.
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