AVK Group acquires the companies Bayard and Belgicast

On 9 October 2023, the AVK Group acquired 100% interest in the Bayard and Belgicast Groups of companies with businesses in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, and China. 12-10-2023

The acquisition includes the companies: Bayard S.A.S, Belgicast International S.L., and Talis Flow Control (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. as well as the sales companies in Italy (Belgicast Italia S.r.l.) and Portugal (Industra – Comercio de Equipamentos Industriais S.A.).

Going forward, the business will continue to trade as Bayard and Belgicast and continue to operate out of its head offices and manufacturing sites in Meyzieu near Lyon, France, Mungia and Toledo, Spain and Shanghai, China.

Bayard and Belgicast are strong and well-established brands with a strong portfolio of leading water industry products with significant market positions on hydrants, gate valves, butterfly valves, pressure control and regulation valves and other accessories, primarily for the water industry.

Bayard and Belgicast will remain standalone businesses alongside AVK’s widespread businesses worldwide. The current management teams remain in place, led in Bayard by David Chambon, Renaud Dumoulin, Edouard Sollier and Marie Rives, and in Belgicast by Aitor Bernado and Joan Galtes. 

Morten Sæderup Nielsen, Group Director for AVK Water, and new chairman of the companies, commented as follows:

“We are excited to welcome the Bayard and Belgicast companies into the AVK family of companies. This is an exciting acquisition with huge potential."

Morten continues: "The new companies will significantly strengthen our position in several markets and business segments, and will add comprehensive knowledge within our AVK Water sectors and in desalination technology. With a very broad product offering, optimised production facilities and a strong team of motivated people, we look forward to working together to further support our customers and markets with quality products and solutions, securing safety in the infrastructure networks. I know that all companies will benefit from being part of the global AVK organisation, where they will be able to access further support in the key strategic areas of growth, leadership and lean.

I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of everyone in AVK to welcome the teams of the Bayard and Belgicast Groups and wish them every success.”

Belgicast Group info

Since 1957, Belgicast has been one of the leading Spanish valve manufacturers focusing on the water sector cycle (from drinking water, wastewater, water distribution networks and desalination). Belgicast manufactures their own high quality, safe and long-lasting valves such as: resilient seated gate valves, centric butterfly valves, check valves as well as water network accessories (from universal flanges, couplings, tapping saddles).

With revenues around €55m per year, the company employs almost 160 people spread among Spain and their subsidiaries in Portugal and Italy. Main headquarters are based in Mungia (Vizcaya) where the main manufacturing facility for resilient seated gate valves is located too. The company also has a manufacturing facility for butterfly and check valves in Los Yébenes (Toledo) where, apart from manufacturing, the centre of excellence for desalination projects is.

Bayard Group info

As a committed French industrial player since 1881, Bayard offers a wide range of products and services for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of water networks to all involved in the water sector. Main products are fire hydrants, gate valves, control and regulation valves, check valves as well as water network accessories (from universal flanges, couplings, tapping saddles).

The company, which employs 220 people and generates a turnover of €90m, and whose manufacturing plant and head office are historically based in the Lyon region (France), has recognised expertise in its field at the service of its customers.

KEY FIGURES

Press release: AVK annual report 2021/2022

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Read about the 2021/2022 results from across our three business areas.