NATIXIS PARTNERS ADVISED ARDIAN IN THE ACQUISITION OF A MAJORITY STAKE IN MASTERGRID ALONGSIDE THE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Ardian, a world-leading private investment firm, announces an exclusive agreement to acquire a majority stake in MasterGrid, a leading provider of maintenance services and manufacturer of equipment for critical electrical infrastructure, notably on the most technical high-voltage segment. The Company’s founders and employees will also significantly reinvest alongside Ardian, which will support the Company to accelerate its growth plans worldwide. Headquartered in Grenoble and historically a business unit of Siemens, MasterGrid was carved out by Siemens to Andera Partners in 2019. Since then, the Group, which was focused on the manufacturing and maintenance of Merlin Gerin installed base of equipment, has successfully diversified its offering and expanded into 11 new countries both through organic and external growths (7 acquisitions realized since 2020). Today, MasterGrid operates across three main segments: proprietary services and equipment (manufacturing, spare parts and maintenance), services on third party equipment, and engineering & solutions. The Company mainly provides its services and equipment to power generation companies, transmission & distribution system operators, and private connections for industries and infrastructures. MasterGrid is ideally positioned in a market driven by key megatrends around the sustainable energy transition, ageing infrastructure, and growing electricity needs. These trends are expected to drive further demand from MasterGrid’s customers, enhancing the Company’s long-term growth prospects. Ardian’s investment will support MasterGrid’s ambitious growth strategy. With its unique technical expertise and long-standing client relationships, the company plans to capitalize on the expected massive investments in the electricity infrastructures, pursue the diversification in new equipment, and further accelerate its international expansion, particularly in Europe and the Middle East.