Ovivo Inc. announced a transaction whereby SKion GmbH and La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (“la Caisse”) are acquiring 100% of its shares leading Ovivo to become privately owned by SKion (70%) and la Caisse (30%).
SKion GmbH is an investment company of German entrepreneur Susanne Klatten whose main holdings are ALTANA, SGL Carbon, Nordex, AVISTA OIL, EnviroChemie, ELIQUO WATER GROUP and Paques. Mrs Klatten is also an anchor shareholder of BMW and makes long-term investments in companies with forward-looking technologies and innovative business models in the industrial and the service sectors. To date, SKion has invested into seven companies in the water sector.
La Caisse is a long-term institutional investor that manages funds primarily for public and parapublic pension and insurance plans. As at December 31, 2015, it held $248.0 billion CAD in net assets. La Caisse invests globally in major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure and real estates. Green technology is one of their four main growth pillars. La Caisse was already a shareholder of Ovivo, it continues to believe in Ovivo and in its long-term potential.
These two financially strong and internationally renowned shareholders will enable Ovivo to be better positioned to ensure its future growth with the ability to invest in innovation, talented ressources, market development and business acquisitions. The transaction is subject to the shareholders vote taking place in September. The officers and directors of the Company as well as its main shareholders are all in favor of the transaction.
The actual management team, led by Marc Barbeau President and Chief Executive Officer will continue to operate the business and the head office will remain in Montreal, Canada.
About Ovivo
Ovivo is a global provider of equipment, technology and systems producing among the purest water and treating some of the most challenging wastewater in the industry. Ovivo is a powerful global brand with renowned trademarks, possessing more than 150 years of expertise and references in water treatment, supported by its proprietary products, advanced technologies and extensive system integration knowhow. Ovivo delivers conventional to highly technological water treatment solutions for the industrial and municipal markets, and leverages its large installed base of equipment around the world to offer parts and services to its customers. Ovivo is dedicated to innovation in an industry that is in constant evolution and offers water treatment solutions that are cost-effective, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable. Ovivo operates an integrated global platform in over 15 countries, with 800 employees that are worldwide experts in water treatment. Ovivo is a public company whose shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols OVI.A and OVI.B.
For more information, visit our website at www.ovivowater.com.
