Wendel partners with the Deconinck family to acquire the shares of Tarkett and to support the growth of the company

PRESS RELEASE – 04.23.2021 

Wendel partners with the Deconinck family to acquire the shares of Tarkett and to support the growth of the company 

As part of its 2021-24 investment strategy, Wendel (MF.FP) has teamed up with the Deconinck family to form Tarkett Participation, which will support  Tarkett’s growth. This investment will be accompanied by an offer to acquire Tarkett (TKKT.FP) shares. Depending on the success of this offer, announced today by Tarkett Participation, Wendel will hold up to 30% of Tarkett Participation, alongside the Deconinck family. The Deconinck family will maintain a controlling stake in the company. 

Wendel will be represented on Tarkett’s board of directors and will have corporate governance rights commensurate with the level of its minority shareholding. 

André François-Poncet, Wendel Group CEO, said, “Wendel is extremely proud to join forces with the founding family in this transaction. Tarkett is a prime example of entrepreneurship, and we are pleased to support the company over the long term, alongside members of the family. The transaction illustrates the Wendel team’s ability to identify investment opportunities which fit our long-term investor profile. We are eager to support Tarkett in its future growth, by bringing to bear all of Wendel’s skills and expertise, in particular in Europe and North America.” 

Eric La Bonnardière, on behalf of the Deconinck family, stated: “My family has been committed to the development of Tarkett for four generations, and is committed to continue doing so in the future. The transaction that we have initiated is a new important step of this commitment. We are pleased to build this new chapter with Wendel and Tarkett’s management team around one vision and shared values.”

Fabrice Barthélemy, Tarkett CEO said: “The Deconinck family has been a long-term shareholder of Tarkett and has supported its strategy and development over the years. The reinforcement of the family’s control and the contribution of Wendel, a renowned long-term family investor will enable Tarkett to pursue its ongoing transformation and to seize new opportunities.”