Specialist in the supply of equipment and solutions for drinking water networks, Groupe Claire, in which the investment company Gimv became the majority shareholder in December 2018, is accelerating the development of its traditional product range with the acquisition of Equipement Industriel Européen ("E.I.E.") from Sade, a subsidiary of the Veolia Group. By taking this new step, Groupe Claire, which has been growing steadily for several years, is strengthening its position as market leader in France.
Groupe Claire designs, develops and supplies solutions for equipment for metering, connection and control of drinking water networks. The group, which places the preservation of water resources at the heart of its concerns, has both:
- A range of equipment for the construction, maintenance and repair of water distribution networks (home connection, connection, metering environment, equipment, operating tools) and irrigation networks via its Sainte-Lizaigne brand references and Hydroméca;
- A range of products and solutions designed to improve network performance (diagnosis, monitoring, leak detection, remote control) with its Fast, Ijinus and Wayve brands
After the acquisition of Ijinus, which enabled it to strengthen its position and reach a critical size in communicating products, the acquisition of E.I.E. enables Groupe Claire to complete its range of traditional products intended for the equipment for water networks.
E.I.E., managed by José de Sousa, designs, manufactures and markets equipment for the installation, drilling and repair of water networks, and offers uninterrupted intervention solutions. It employs 22 people and has an annual turnover of around EUR 5 million.
This new operation enables the Claire Group to offer its customers a complete range of solutions for intervention without network interruption, while benefiting from strong technical, industrial and commercial synergies with the other entities.