Buyout and Build-up Investments

Chrisola

Activity

Chrisola is leader on the French market for funeral accessories (vases, granite plaques, urns, crosses, etc.) with a share of the market in excess of 40%. Since 2000, Chrisola has also taken up major positions in the field of pre-fabricated concrete vaults and funeral monuments. Working out of 7 industrial sites in the north and west of France, Chrisola markets its products through a network of marble and funeral accessory outlets.

Context

After various acquisitions dating back over the years to 1986, Chrisola became leader on the French funeral accessories market in 1994 through the acquisition of the Dussaux group. Since then, various other companies have joined the group specialising in vaults, funeral urns, artificial flowers and funeral monuments.

Strategy

In February 1999 AXA Private Equity Fund became the leading shareholder in the Chrisola group alongside the majority stake holder and founding chairman.
With its excellent knowledge of the business and the companies involved, AXA Private Equity Fund studies and analyses together with the Chrisola chairman the acquisition of complementary businesses that could be incorporated into the same distribution channels.

Divestment

In July 2004, AXA Private Equity sold off its stake in the Chrisola group to management and to IPO.