SCALES acquires Adekma as part of industrial push

French heavy lift, industrial handling and project logistics provider SCALES has acquired its compatriot Adekma, a lifting specialist headquartered in Le Mans.

As part of the transaction, Fund for Nuclear 2, managed by Siparexbecomes a reference shareholder in the newly formed group SCALES-Adekma.

SCALES primarily serves critical industries, has a fleet of approximately 320 machines and handles loads ranging from 100 tonnes to upwards of 1,500 tonnes. According to the company, it generates roughly two-thirds of its revenue from the historical energy sector market – primarily nuclear, transmission and distribution and motorised power generation. The firm also has a long track record of international operations, namely in West Africa.

Meanwhile, Adekma provides services across the entire lifecycle of industrial sites – from construction and transformation to maintenance, renovation and decommissioning. The firm’s primary business involves lifting and handling operations, along with specialised transport, warehousing and logistics services. It has a fleet of 564 machines and 203 vehicles.

SCALES-Adekma will be led by Thierry Costardchairman and majority shareholder, supported by managing directors Alexandre Ferrus (SCALES) – who sits on the board of the European association of abnormal road transport and mobile cranes (THIS) and – Julien Nicolet (Adekma). The group intends to develop its integrated national offering and bolster its presence with clients across energy, nuclear, civil engineering and defence sectors.

“Our ambition is to build a leading French player that preserves and delivers high-value technical expertise for the strategic sectors of our industry, both on the French mainland and in overseas territories,” said Ferrus and Nicolet.

Fund for Nuclear’s Benoit Desforges and Romain Boisson de Chazournes added: “This third investment by Fund For Nuclear 2 reflects our goal of backing companies whose expertise is recognised and expected by the major players in the nuclear industry and, more broadly, by critical industries. The combination of SCALES and Adekma creates a cohesive and ambitious platform in the industrial handling segment.”