In a strategic move blending heritage with ambition, Bertrand Fallon-Kund and Hugues Bertholet acquired Ateliers Cerfontaine, a specialist in precision metalworking. The €10.5M acquisition, backed by SRIW and guided by Ventures4Growth, signals a new growth phase for the Walloon industrial stalwart.
Founded in 1934 and based in Verviers, Ateliers Cerfontaine has earned its reputation through decades of expertise in the design and fabrication of large, complex metal components—up to 17 meters and 20 tons—with tolerances of 1/100th of a millimeter. Their parts power sectors from aerospace and energy to defense, food, and infrastructure.
For Bertrand, a former Bain & Company strategy consultant, the move marked a radical career bifurcation into entrepreneurial ownership. His partner, Hugues Bertholet, had been the company’s technical director since 2012. Their joint vision: modernize operations, expand robotic and metrology capabilities, and anchor the firm as a regional reference for industrial excellence.
Despite post-acquisition challenges—including 40% absenteeism during the COVID-19 pandemic, steel delivery delays, and flooding of one warehouse—the team delivered results:
Revenue growth of +15% (excluding material cost inflation)
First-ever ISO 9001 certification
Investment in a 5-axis Soraluce boring mill
Installation of a 3D metrology control room
Bertrand Fallon Kund , CEO - CFO at Ateliers CERFONTAINETogether with Hugues Bertholet, we recently acquired Ateliers Cerfontaine, a high-end mechanical engineering company, with the objective to continue to grow this wonderful company.
The deal also reflects a broader strategic mission: to preserve and scale Walloon industrial know-how. The SRIW (Société Régionale d’Investissement de Wallonie), via its Transmission & MBO division led by Sabine Colson, took a stake in the company, helping secure financing and future-proof local ownership.
“The entry of SRIW reassured all parties and helped secure bank funding. Their portfolio also offers networking and market access advantages,” Fallon-Kund told Trends-Tendances.
Ventures4Growth acted as exclusive buy-side advisor to Fallon-Kund, facilitating matchmaking, valuation alignment, deal structuring, and execution. The deal was led by Inge Beernaert and supported by Chris Raman. Inge’s role was pivotal in aligning strategic vision with transaction integrity—leaving a lasting imprint on the company’s new chapter.
This Inside the Deal story exemplifies how entrepreneurial drive, institutional support, and precise dealcraft can reinvigorate legacy industrial players. With renewed leadership, Ateliers Cerfontaine is poised for long-term growth and technological advancement—as a symbol of Belgium’s industrial resilience.