Ceric Gets Stronger With Investment and Says It's Well Positioned for Future

Ceric Gets Stronger With Investment and Says It's Well Positioned for Future

New shareholding investment is to be made in the Paris based Ceric Group, one of the mainstays in the European heavy clayworking machinery and technology sector.

Founded in 1960 by Michel Rasse and Jean Merienne, Ceric has developed into a global market leader in the manufacture of plants and in the construction of factories for the production of heavy clay building materials. With numerous innovations worked out in close cooperation with the customers, Ceric has played a leading role in the further development of the brick and tile industry all over the world.

The Ceric Group has extended its various activities to complementary fields of business, in particular to the rapidly developing sector of other building materials as well as technical ceramics and fine ceramics. With efficiency and technological competence Ceric has steadily integrated other companies and built them up into flourishing enterprises – for example CFT, Equip ceramic, Favole, Keller, Morando, Novoceric, Rieter, Wistra – as well as developing other constructive partnerships.

With the aim of continuing the company’s long history and securing the continued existence and growth of the Ceric Group, the managing majority shareholders searched for the best solution for a secure future. As a strongly expanding enterprise with great growth potential, Ceric became a desirable object of numerous potential investors. The managers of Ceric chose their new shareholders according to the following three criteria:

· Financial strength which should not only secure the continued existence of the company but also guarantee the further growth of Ceric, as well as long-term stability of the company capital.

· Competent management team which is well versed in the further development of the companies in the international market.

· Company culture which is based on dealing with customers as partners and exemplifies human values towards its own employees.

The Group Legris Industries, whose activities are based in different branches, fulfilled these criteria best of all. After the Legris Group had parted with a significant subsidiary, it had the necessary financial means at its disposal to enter into a new commitment in a company corresponding to its economic objectives like Ceric.

The Group Legris Industries, a company in family ownership, currently concentrates on two main activities: industrial connectors for gas and liquid bodies (Legris) and logistics systems and equipment (Savoye). 2,220 employees at 17 industrial locations throughout the world will earn an estimated turnover in 2006 of 320 million euro, with an operative result of more than 33 million euro. The investment capacity amounts to approximately 22 million euro. With the integration of the Ceric Group, which will achieve a consolidated turnover this year of 300 million euro with 1,660 employees, the new Group expects a turnover of around 650 million euro per annum, now with around 3,800 employees.

Ceric – as an autonomous division within Legris Industries – will continue its proven efficient structure. The Chairmanship of the Board will be taken over by Charles-Antoine de Barbuant, who previously held the position of Chairman of the Board of Savoye within Legris Industries. The change of management will take place after approval of antitrust authorities at the end of 2006. Continuity is guaranteed by the already existing employees and by the presence, support and advice on the part of the company founders. The relationship established with numerous customers based on trust and partnership will thus be continued and Ceric’s long experience in the field of the heavy clay and ceramic industry will be carried on. Ceric thus expands its commitment in this sector and will continue to offer its customers the accustomed competence, enthusiasm and responsibility.

Ceric > Président-directeur général

Monsieur Charles-Antoine de Barbuat est nommé président-directeur général de Ceric (Groupe Legris Industries).
Charles-Antoine de Barbuat était depuis 1998 président-directeur général de la société Savoye Logistics (division du Groupe Legris Industries).