FMS – Forêt Matériel Service, a long-standing player in the distribution of forestry equipment, has been acquired by Mr. Quentin Sagot with the support of the investment fund UI Investissement.
This transaction represents a form of continuity for the sellers and founders, Régis Wallerich and Dominique Cumet, who wished to identify a successor capable of preserving the company’s values and sustaining its development momentum.
FMS, a benchmark company in the forestry sector
Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Marville (Meuse), FMS has established itself as a trusted partner for forestry operations professionals. The company specializes in the sale of new and used equipment (forwarders, harvesters, harvesting heads), as well as the distribution of spare parts and consumables. FMS is also the official importer of the Finnish brand LOGSET in France.
FMS extends its activities beyond French borders, operating as well in Belgium and Luxembourg, where it supports forestry operators in the development and modernization of their equipment.
With a team of 15 employees, FMS embodies recognized technical expertise, strong responsiveness, and a sustainable local footprint.
A well-considered and well-managed succession
After more than three decades at the helm of the company, Dominique Cumet and Régis Wallerich decided to prepare their succession by selling 100% of the shares of FMS. They found in Quentin Sagot a buyer with solid experience in the sale of professional equipment and strong technical skills.
To structure this acquisition, Quentin Sagot partnered with UI Investissement as the reference financial investor in the Grand Est region. This financial backing also brings proven expertise in supporting SME acquisitions. The transaction additionally benefited from the support of La Banque Postale and FMS’s long-standing banking partner, BNP Paribas.
A transaction supported by I-Deal Development
As part of this transaction, Quentin Sagot was advised by the investment bank I-Deal Development, which was involved at every stage of the acquisition process. The assignment notably included the structuring of the transaction and its financing, encompassing the identification of, and negotiations with, banking partners and equity investors.
An ambitious growth strategy for FMS
Leveraging his strategic vision and in-depth knowledge of the sector, Quentin Sagot intends to pursue the development of FMS around several key pillars:
- Structuring a network of sales agents in France, Belgium, and Switzerland,
- Deployment of a targeted marketing strategy to enhance brand visibility,
- Expansion of the product offering,
- Strengthening territorial presence through the opening of new branches.
This new phase represents a natural continuation of Quentin Sagot’s professional journey, driven by his entrepreneurial ambition and his desire to lead a large-scale industrial project.
About UI Investissement
UI Investissement is an independent asset management company with deep historical roots in the French financial landscape. With 13 offices across France, UI Investissement stands out for its proximity-based approach, designed to address the challenges faced by company leaders, and currently supports more than 350 businesses.
“The UI team is delighted to support Quentin Sagot in the acquisition of Forêt Matériel Service, a company well known in the forestry equipment sector, which holds a distinctive position, notably as the exclusive distributor of products from the Finnish company LOGSET.”
