• AFE specialises in the design and manufacture of metal and plastic components. Its activities are divided into four branches: metal (bespoke cast steel components for manufacturers of heavy goods vehicles), technology (heatproof cast steel components for heat treatment and incinerator operators and constructors), plastics (plastic components and assemblies for car interiors) and environment (recycling industrial coproducts containing noble metals for re-use in special steels or batteries). The group operates in Europe, North and South America, Japan and China.

• http://www.afe.fr

INVOLMENT OF CAPZANINE IN 2004

• Nature of the deal: Secondary LBO

• We were impressed by the management team, who showed their capacity to innovate, adapt and respond at the time of the first LBO, at a difficult point in the industrial cycle. When a second LBO was mooted, at a time when the economic climate seemed much more propitious, we were naturally more than ready to work with them again.