SATEBA acquires the rail activities of De Bonte Group
The French independent SATEBA Group, European leader in sustainable rail infrastructure, with a turnover of circa 300 million euros, a thousand employees operating in nine countries, is stepping up its growth strategy with the acquisition of the concrete sleeper business of the Belgian De Bonte Group.
These activities represent sales of 42 million euros (in 2022), production of more than 500,000 sleepers in 2023 at four sites, two in Belgium and two in France, and employ more than 80 people.
SATEBA will take over two sites in France (Montataire and Vers-Pont-du-Gard), in addition to its three existing sites (Chalon-sur-Saône, La Riche and Charmes), which will provide greater coverage of the country, and two sites in Belgium (Laakdal and Baudour).
Through this acquisition, SATEBA aims to achieve critical mass in order to strengthen its R&D capabilities and continue to expand its range of products and services for its main customers.
De Bonte Group has over 25 years’ experience in railway sleepers and infrastructure.
With this acquisition, and following that of Vaperail of France in 2023, SATEBA is pursuing its strategy of strengthening its position as the recognised leader of rail infrastructure for its major customers, especially with low environmental impact. One of SATEBA’s ambition is to offer a green sleeper at lower cost through its investment in innovation. SATEBA aims to reduce the carbon footprint of sleepers and turnout supports by more than 30% at Group level between 2022 and 2026, and by more than 35% in France.
‘The acquisition of the concrete sleepers business of the Belgian group De Bonte underlines SATEBA’s determination to build a French and European group dedicated to high-performance, sustainable rail infrastructure, serving our major customers such as SNCF Réseau and, more broadly, the entire community,’ emphasizes Benoit Cattin-Martel, CEO of SATEBA.
Commenting on this operation, Pascal Blommaert, CEO Rail of De Bonte Group, said: ‘This transaction marks an important step for our group. By selling these sites, we will be able to concentrate on our other activities, in particular the development of sulphur concrete and the creation of innovative solutions in sustainable concrete.
It is also a sign of confidence in our know-how and expertise, and we are confident in SATEBA’s ability to maintain a level of excellence in the production of concrete sleepers.’
With its experience and commitment to excellence, De Bonte will continue to play a key role in the sustainable concrete sector, contributing to the growth and development of the rail industry.
About SATEBA
SATEBA (nearly 300 million euros in annual sales, almost 1,000 employees and industrial sites in nine countries) is the French and European leader in the design and manufacture of concrete railway sleepers and, more broadly, infrastructure for rail transport, one of the lowest-carbon modes of transport. Working closely with its customers, specifiers and suppliers, SATEBA is committed to a more responsible economy by providing sustainable infrastructure solutions that are part of the circular economy. SATEBA is owned by TowerBrook Capital Partners, an unlisted private equity fund that is the first of its kind to be BCorp certified, the benchmark for sustainability.
About De Bonte Group
De Bonte Group, an internationally renowned Belgian family-owned industrial group, has been a major player in the railway infrastructure sector for over 25 years. Specialising in the production of precast concrete elements for the rail, road and drainage sectors, De Bonte Group has earned a reputation for excellence through its technical expertise and its commitment to quality and innovation.
De Bonte Group operates successfully across several production sites in Belgium, France and beyond, employing over 300 people across its 11 sites.
Press contacts:
Olivier Provost – Tel : 06 86 44 50 84
olivier@rumeurpublique.fr
Denis Coppieters – Tel : +32 485 32 33 92
denis.coppieters@debontegroup.com