Sagard Private Equity Canada Acquires Leading Quebec Rental Company Groupe Lou-Tec
Sagard Private Equity Canada, a Canadian mid-market private equity fund, today announced its first investment with the acquisition of Groupe Lou-Tec Inc., a leading heavy machinery and equipment rental company operating mainly in the province of Quebec. Alongside current Groupe Lou-Tec management and shareholders, Sagard PE is joined in the acquisition by Walter Capital Partners, Investissement Québec and BDC Capital.
Founded in 1979, Groupe Lou-Tec is one of the leading equipment rental companies in Quebec, operating with more than 400 employees with 30 locations across the province. Groupe Lou-Tec offers a large, diversified and well-maintained fleet of equipment, especially aerial, material handling and excavation equipment.
"Our investment in Groupe LouTec is a great example of Sagard PE's strategy of partnering with strong companies and working together with co-investors to accelerate their journey towards market leadership,” said Marie-Claude Boisvert, partner and head of Sagard PE. “We have been impressed with Lou-Tec's long track record of growth in a highly dynamic marketplace, and we are proud to partner with CEO Jean-Marc Dallaire and his team for our inaugural investment. We are happy to invest in people and in infrastructure to expand the company's presence in current -- and new -- geographies and product offerings to bolster Lou-Tec's leadership in the Canadian equipment rental market. We are confident this partnership will benefit customers, suppliers and employees alike,"
"We are honored to partner with Sagard as well as highly respected investors Walter Capital, Investissement Québec and BDC Capital to pursue our mission and passion to support our clients in carrying out their construction, renovation and maintenance work,” said Jean-Marc-Dallaire, president & CEO of Groupe Lou-Tec. “For over 40 years, Groupe Lou-Tec has helped build Quebec through its leadership in the rental industry. Thanks to this new partnership, Groupe Lou-Tec will be able to stay the course on its mission, support our customers with their projects, pursue our digital shift, accelerate our growth and expand into new geographies."
"Walter Capital is delighted to team up with a company that has built a solid reputation in its market like Lou-Tec. We are looking forward to being actively involved along with Sagard, Jean-Marc Dallaire and his strong management team in propelling Lou-Tec's growth and market leadership," said Éric Doyon, managing partner of Walter Capital Partners.
"In cooperation with seasoned financial partners, Investissement Québec is pleased to back the acquisition of Lou-Tec, which has been making its mark in the construction industry for over 40 years thanks to its strong management team and extensive distribution system,” said Investissement Québec president and CEO Guy LeBlanc. “This financial support speaks to our commitment to keep head offices here in Québec and to encourage the growth of leading Québec companies, all while spurring economic development in the regions.”
“BDC Growth Equity Partners is privileged to support Groupe Lou-Tec and its management in its next phase of growth and help the company to scale to a Canadian leader," added Jean Bédard, partner, BDC Growth Equity Partners.
Groupe Lou-Tec is headquartered in Anjou, Quebec, a borough of Montreal, and is No. 16 on the RER 100.
