King & Wood Mallesons SJ Berwin advised Tikehau IM on its provision of a unitranche debt package to support the investment of Winch Capital 2 in Maesa. The firm also advised Tikehau IM on its minority investment into the French perfume maker.

Following an international bidding process organised by Lincoln International, the Winch Capital 2 fund run by the midcap team at Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners was selected by Maesa’s founders to acquire a minority stake in the group. Funding for this new transaction was completed by unitranche debt raised by Tikehau IM which also invested into the company alongside the Winch Capital 2 fund.

Tikehau IM is the investment company of the Tikehau Group, it specialises in fixed income products that has become one of the leaders on its market in just a few years.

Since its creation in 1997, Maesa has consolidated its position as a strategic partner for major outlets and brands. Sales have risen from €72 million to close to €113 million expected for 2014, mainly thanks to the development of exclusive brands for leading retailers.

The King & Wood Mallesons SJ Berwin team was composed of Finance partner Olivier Vermeulen and associates Marc Zérah and Tereza Courmont-Vlkova, of Corporate partner William Robert and associate Benjamin Garçon, as well as of Tax partner Raphael Béra and associate Etienne Bimbeau.