Sun European Partners acquires C&K

AN AFFILIATE OF SUN EUROPEAN PARTNERS, LLP, ACQUIRES C&K HOLDINGS

September 22, 2017

London, UK. An affiliate of Sun European Partners, LLP (“Sun European Partners”), today announces that it has acquired C&K Holdings, Inc. (“C&K” or the “Company”), one of the world’s most trusted brands of high-quality electromechanical switches, for an undisclosed sum.

C&K was founded in 1928 and has one of the industry’s broadest product portfolios, offering more than 55,000 standard products and 8.5 million switch combinations to companies that design, manufacture and distribute electronics products. In addition, the Company’s unmatched custom design capabilities are recognized globally by engineers who demand reliable switch performance.

The Company is headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts (US), with more than 1,500 employees working at its global design centers in Newton, Dole, France, and Huizhou, China. C&K delivers reliable, cost-effective and high-quality electromechanical switches to more than 20,000 customers in the industrial, automotive, aerospace, medical, consumer products, transportation and telecom industries.

Jerome Nomme, Managing Director at Sun European Partners said: “We are excited by the high potential of this investment. The electromechanical switch market is estimated to be worth €6 billion globally and is highly fragmented. C&K can improve its strong market position and cement its status as the manufacturer of choice in the sector. We look forward to working with C&K to accelerate the Company’s profitable growth.”

John Boucher, CEO at C&K added: “Partnering with Sun European Partners is an important milestone for C&K. Their investment is strong recognition of both the tremendous growth and success we’ve experienced – and agreement that our market leadership and unique capabilities have us positioned for future success. By combining our strengths with Sun’s, we gain the opportunity to expand into new markets and add even more innovative switch products to our existing portfolio.”

Sun European Partners has substantial experience in making acquisitions in France. Among its affiliated portfolio companies it has a number of leading businesses including; Albea, which offer the world’s largest range of beauty, personal care and pharma packaging; Flexitech, the leading global designer and supplier of high quality brake hose products for the automotive industry; Robertshaw, the global specialist in energy management for white good appliances. Recently sold portfolio companies include DBApparel (DIM, Playtex, Wonderbra), which an affiliate of Sun European Partners sold to basic apparel global leader HanesBrands Inc, and also Manoir Aerospace, sold to Lisi Group.

The sale process was managed by Lincoln International and Sun European Partners was advised by Kirkland & Ellis, Ernst & Young and DLA Piper. Tikehau provided the acquisition financing.

Sun European Partners, LLP is a leading private investment advisory firm, focused on identifying companies’ untapped potential and leveraging its deep operational and financial resources to transform results. Sun European Partners is a trusted partner that is recognised for its investment and operational experience, including particular expertise in the consumer products and services, food and beverage, industrial, packaging, chemicals, building products, automotive, restaurant and retail sectors. Since 1995, affiliates of Sun European Partners have invested in more than 345 companies worldwide across a broad range of industries and transaction structures with turnover in excess of €43 billion. Further information on Sun European Partners, LLP is available at www.suneuropeanpartners.com.

Founded in 1928, C&K is one of the world’s most trusted brands of high-quality electromechanical switches. The company’s unmatched custom design capabilities are recognized globally by design engineers who demand reliable switch performance. C&K offers more than 55,000 standard products and 8.5 million switch combinations to companies that design, manufacture and distribute electronics products. Used in automotive, industrial, IoT, wearables, medical, telecom, consumer products, aerospace, and POS terminals, C&K products include tactile, pushbutton, snap-acting, toggle, rocker, detect, DIP, keyswitch, navigation, rotary, slide, switchlock, thumbwheel, smart card readers, high-rel connectors and custom assemblies. C&K is headquartered in Newton, Mass. with global design centers in Newton Mass., Dole France, and Huizhou China. For more information, please visit www.ckswitches.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.