(Press Release) Advent International, the global private equity firm, and Alothon Group, the Brazil-focused private equity firm, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to sell Atmosfera, the leading industrial laundry company in Brazil, to Elis, the European leader in linen rental and laundry services, sanitary equipment and drinks dispensers. The acquisition will be funded by a combination of debt and equity financing, with Eurazeo, Elis’ majority owner, contributing additional equity to Elis. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2014.
Founded in 1997, Atmosfera specializes in the cleaning and rental of uniforms, mats, mops and linen for the healthcare, hospitality and industrial markets. The company processes 95,000 tons of linen annually from eight plants in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Salvador de Bahia as well as in the state of Santa Catarina. Over 2,800 customers—including hospitals, restaurants, hotels and industrial clients—use Atmosfera’s services. The company employs 3,500 people and expects to generate revenue of approximately 280 million Brazilian réais (US$118 million) in 2013.
Patrice Etlin, a Managing Partner at Advent International, said, “The sale to Elis marks the culmination of our value-creation plan for Atmosfera. During our ownership, the company completed 10 acquisitions, which enabled it to solidify its leadership position in the hospital segment and increase its presence in the industrial and hospitality sectors. It also introduced new products and services and built four new plants with more efficient processes. We believe it is well-positioned for the future and will benefit by being part of a larger international organization.”
Ettore Biagioni, Managing Partner of Alothon, added, “Under the successful joint stewardship of Advent and Alothon over the last couple of years, Atmosfera has solidified its financial position and further strengthened its world-class management team. We believe Atmosfera is now the ideal platform from which Elis can establish its leadership in the Brazilian market. Atmosfera has demonstrated the foresight of investing in the growing outsourcing sector in Brazil.”
Paulo Andrade, CEO of Atmosfera, said, “We appreciate all the resources and support Advent and Alothon have provided to Atmosfera over the years. They have helped to build our company into the market leader we are today. We also welcome our new partnership with Elis as it will enable Atmosfera to join forces with the sector’s European leader and benefit from its experience and know-how. By obtaining human and financial support from Elis, we will strengthen Atmosfera’s position in Brazil and continue our development.”
Xavier Martiré, CEO of Elis, said, “Atmosfera is a terrific company, with unique coverage of the Brazilian market and unparalleled industrial facilities in Latin America. This acquisition marks a turning point in the history of Elis’ international development with a strong foothold in an emerging country that we had been targeting for a long time. Brazil has now become Elis’ second-largest market.”