French heavy transport and specialized handling company SCALES has acquired industrial lifting specialist ADEKMA, creating one of France’s largest providers of heavy lifting, exceptional transport and industrial logistics services.
The transaction is supported by France Nuclear Fund 2, managed by Siparex, and reflects growing investment in companies that support France’s expanding nuclear and industrial sectors.
The newly formed SCALES-ADEKMA Group combines annual revenue of more than €90 million, a workforce of 420 employees, nearly 1,000 machines, 203 transport vehicles and a customer base of around 3,500 industrial clients.
The company will focus on complex projects in nuclear energy, power generation, civil engineering, defence and major infrastructure.
Complementary Expertise
Founded in 1946, SCALES is one of the few French companies capable of managing exceptional transport and heavy handling operations involving loads of more than 1,500 tonnes. The company provides integrated engineering, project planning and field operations supported by a fleet of more than 320 specialized assets.
Its customers include EDF, Framatome, RTE, Arabelle Solutions, GE Vernova, Hitachi and Enedis.
ADEKMA strengthens the group with ten branches across western France, a fleet of 564 lifting machines and extensive experience in industrial lifting operations. The company also operates LM Formation, a specialist training business for lifting professionals.
Founded in 2004 by Frédéric Blais, ADEKMA has developed steadily by supporting industrial customers throughout the full life cycle of their facilities, from construction and installation to maintenance and decommissioning.
Backing from France Nuclear Fund 2
France Nuclear Fund 2 has joined the company as its principal minority shareholder alongside the existing management team.
The investment underlines confidence in businesses providing critical services to France’s industrial and nuclear supply chain as the country expands its energy infrastructure and manufacturing base.
The combined group will be chaired by Thierry Costard. Alexandre Ferrus will lead SCALES as Chief Executive Officer, while Julien Nicolet will serve as Chief Executive Officer of ADEKMA.
Positioned for Future Growth
“The creation of this new group gives us the scale and capabilities needed to meet the industrial challenges of the coming decades by bringing together two highly complementary businesses,” Thierry Costard said.
Alexandre Ferrus and Julien Nicolet added:
“Our objective is to build a leading French industrial group that preserves and develops high-value technical expertise in support of strategic industries across mainland France and its overseas territories.”
Commenting on the investment, Benoît Desforges and Romain Boisson de Chazournes of France Nuclear Fund 2 said the acquisition supports the fund’s strategy of backing companies with recognised expertise serving the nuclear and wider industrial sectors.
They said the combination of SCALES and ADEKMA creates “a strong and complementary business with highly committed teams, well positioned to support the future needs of France’s strategic industries.”
Supporting France’s Industrial Ambitions
The acquisition comes as France accelerates investment in nuclear power, electricity networks and major industrial infrastructure.
With nationwide operations, one of the country’s largest fleets of heavy lifting and transport equipment, and expertise spanning exceptional transport, heavy lifting, specialized handling, industrial logistics and engineering, the SCALES-ADEKMA Group is positioned to become a key partner for large-scale industrial projects across France.
