16 April 2025
Sycomore Corporate Finance has advised Bridgepoint, one of the world’s leading quoted private asset growth investors, in its strategic investment in Argon & Co, a global management consultancy specialising in operations strategy and transformation.
The transaction sees Bridgepoint Development Capital V – a lower middle-market fund focused on supporting fast-growing businesses across Europe – become a significant minority shareholder in Argon & Co. The company will continue to be majority owned by its Partners with incumbent sponsor Ardian reinvesting a minority stake in the business.
Operating in 13 countries with over 850 FTEs, Argon & Co serves a wide range of blue-chip and middle-market clients with a differentiated offering spanning supply chain planning, logistics, manufacturing, procurement, data and AI advisory, and related strategic transformation services. The company has established itself as a trusted partner for global industrial leaders seeking to optimise their operations, enhance innovation and resilience, and deliver tangible value across their supply chains. The strength of Argon & Co’s position in the market is reflected in its strong growth record, with revenue in the region of €175m in FY2024-25 and with 15 acquisitions completed since 2020.
The consulting market segment in which Argon & Co operates – focused on supply chain excellence together with operations strategy and transformation – is valued at over €4.4bn globally and projected to expand at around 7% per annum. This robust growth is underpinned by long-term structural drivers including geopolitical volatility, procurement cost pressures, digital innovation and greater supply chain sustainability requirements. These dynamics are increasing demand among corporates for specialist partners who can reliably deliver both strategic vision and hands-on implementation.
Leveraging its deep sector expertise and global platform, Bridgepoint will support Argon & Co’s next phase of expansion, including further internationalisation – particularly in Europe and the US – alongside continued development of its consulting capabilities. In addition, Bridgepoint will aid Argon & Co in pursuing an enhanced M&A strategy, helping assess and complete highly synergistic transactions that will strengthen the company’s leadership position, commencing in the immediate term.
Bridgepoint has extensive sector expertise in scaling specialist consulting businesses in their respective niches, including experience with investments in Alpha FMC, Analysys Mason and Prescient. The partnership will also draw on Bridgepoint’s experience in adjacent industries, including supply chain management and technology services companies such as Achilles, Groupe Sinari and Surikat.
Bertrand Demesse, Partner at Bridgepoint, said:
“Argon & Co is a stand-out player in the global operations consulting market. With its strong technical expertise, high client retention and clear growth strategy, the business is well placed to capitalise on intensifying global demand for supply chain resilience, digital transformation, and operational excellence. We are delighted to partner with Jean-François and the team to help accelerate Argon & Co’s international footprint and continue building a leading global specialist in the operations strategy and transformation consulting space.”
Jean-François Laget, CEO of Argon and Co, added:
“We are proud of the journey Argon & Co has been on to date with Ardian and are excited to be partnering with Bridgepoint for this next chapter. Their experience in internationalising specialist consultancies, and deep understanding of our sector, make them the ideal partner to help us scale further.”
Frédéric Quéru and Geoffroy de La Grandière, Managing Directors, Growth at Ardian, said:
“We thank the leadership team of Argon & Co for their trust and their invitation to continue our collaboration. Since our first investment in 2020, the firm has grown from a tier-one player in France to a leading international operations consulting group. We have been delighted to back the company’s development, with notably 15 acquisitions completed to date and the launch of a data/AI offering. Ardian is excited to continue supporting Argon & Co’s ambition alongside Bridgepoint.”
The transaction completed in April 2025.
The Sycomore Corporate Finance team comprised Tristan Dupont, Thaddée Le Bret and Paul de Singly.