3i Group (III) Status Update summary
Event summary combining transcript, slides, and related documents.
Status Update summary
9 Dec, 2025Portfolio performance and trading update
Private equity and infrastructure portfolios remain resilient despite subdued macroeconomic conditions, with Action and Royal Sanders delivering strong sales and EBITDA growth; Action's year-to-date sales reached €10.9 billion, up 18% year-on-year, and like-for-like sales grew 6.5%.
Action added 207 net new stores year-to-date, is on track to deliver or exceed 370 net new stores in 2025, and opened its first stores in Romania and Switzerland.
Action's operating EBITDA for the 12 months to end of P9 2025 is expected to reach €2.295 billion, a 21% increase from the previous year, after a €26 million one-off expense.
Cash generation remains strong, with Action's cash balances at €758 million as of September 2025.
Sale of MAIT generated gross proceeds of €143 million (2.7x MOIC, 27% IRR) and MPM for €400 million (3.2x MOIC, 29% IRR), both exceeding prior valuations.
Private equity investment and exit highlights
MPM, a premium natural pet food company, was scaled significantly, especially in the U.S. and online channels, leading to a successful exit at €400 million, a 3.2x money multiple, and 29% IRR.
WaterWipes, acquired for €145 million, is a leading premium natural wet wipe brand with strong international diversification, omnichannel presence, and consistent top-line growth above 20% CAGR since 2017.
WaterWipes is differentiated by proprietary water technology, is accredited for sensitive skin, and has high brand loyalty among consumers and healthcare professionals.
MAIT, a German IT services provider, was sold after significant value creation through 14 add-on acquisitions and geographic expansion, achieving a 2.7x MOIC and 27% IRR.
Both MPM and WaterWipes benefit from global trends toward premium, natural, and clean-label products, and have strong consumer advocacy.
New investments and growth strategies
OMS, a leading DACH-region testing business for electrical safety equipment, was acquired in a proprietary process for £99 million, with significant seller and founder reinvestment.
OMS operates in a regulated, growing market with strong recurring revenues, over 40 branches, and a proprietary software platform, Inspektra, driving efficiency and customer lock-in.
OMS has achieved revenue and site count growth at over 40% CAGR since 2016, with high revenue retention and mid-teens EBITDA margin.
Growth strategy for OMS includes further operational efficiency, selective M&A, and expansion into adjacent segments and geographies.
WaterWipes and OMS both have founders or sellers retaining significant stakes, aligning interests for future growth.
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