Led by ADVISO PARTNERS, the operation has enabled the entry of UNIGRAINS and BPIFRANCE as minority shareholders in OTICO, a leader in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of self-cleaning and agronomic rolling solutions to equip agricultural machinery.
Created in 1971 and led by Olivier PHELY, son of the historic founder, OTICO is specialized in the production by extrusion and injection of tires, as well as in the design of wheels and rollers to equip all agricultural tillage machines (cultivators, seeders, planters, fertilizers, hoeing, strip-till, etc.). From its industrial facility, located in Seine-et-Marne, France, the company, recognized for the quality of its products and capacity for innovation, manufactures nearly 1.2 million rubber tires each year. OTICO employs 130 people and has sales of €40 million, 85% of which is via exports to 40 countries.
By making agronomy its core business, OTICO has become a driving force in the agricultural sector. The company stands apart for creating its own rubber blends and manufacturing its own molds, thus producing products that can adapt to all types of soils, all agricultural techniques, all climates, and all geographies. Committed to the agroecological transition, OTICO's rolling solutions can contribute to a reduction of inputs, an upwelling of water by capillary action or even an accelerated emergence of weed seeds.
With the investments from UNIGRAINS and BPIFRANCE, OTICO will begin a new phase in its history, marked by international development (notably in America) and driven by increasingly sophisticated agricultural machinery as well by the challenges related to soil preservation. The company will also continue its recognized innovation policy in order to constantly align its rolling solutions with the latest developments in agricultural practices.
Olivier PHELY, President and CEO of OTICO, declared : « After several years of strong growth, driven by a dynamic global agricultural equipment market, we are delighted with the arrival of UNIGRAINS and BPIFRANCE in our capital and are counting on them to help us in our new growth phase, focused international development and innovation. The complementarity of these two renowned partners— UNIGRAINS, with its sector expertise and close proximity to the agricultural world, and BPIFRANCE, with its numerous networks and relays—will bring undeniable insights and support to our projects! »
Nicolas MULLE, Investment Director at UNIGRAINS, added: « With an experienced management team, a broad products range that adds value and a great capacity for innovation, OTICO holds a privileged position in the agricultural equipment sector. UNIGRAIN, founded by French grains farmers and dedicated to investing in food and agriculture, will bring its sectoral expertise, its networks, and knowhow to help Olivier PHELY and his teams in carrying out their growth project. »
Luc DOYENNEL, Investment Director at BPIFRANCE, added: « OTICO is an industrial pearl operating in a niche of the agricultural equipment market, but it is a niche with global influence. Sustainably and solidly establishing its leadership in the largest agricultural areas across the planet is one of the objectives set by BPIFRANCE. Our roadmap also aims to support the company in its climate transition and the decarbonization of its production tools, without forgetting support in strengthening the skills of its management team, to make future leaders. »
Guillaume DARY, Partner at ADVISO PARTNERS, added: « We are delighted to have supported Olivier PHELY in his primary capital opening project. With an established brand, a high-end positioning, and continuous innovation, OTICO has established itself as a global leader in the design and manufacturing of agronomic rolling solutions for agricultural machinery. OTICO is clearly one of the players driving market consolidation, and the arrival of UNIGRAINS and BPIFRANCE will enable the company to accelerate its growth based on improved industrial performance and international external growth, particularly in the United States. This support is another example of ADVISO PARTNERS' strong commitment to regional SMEs and mid-sized enterprises. »