Komatsu Group, a world leading manufacturer of construction, mining & utility equipment, and BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, European leader in professional equipment finance, have decided to extend their Cooperation Agreement to the Nordic region.

The Agreement was first launched in 2018 in France, Germany, Italy, and then in Belgium and the Netherlands. As part of the extension, it was launched in Sweden in mid-October before being extended to Norway and Denmark in the years to come. It will allow Komatsu Group to support their clients’ growth and development in this high potential region through finance solutions for their equipment needs.

Arnault Leglaye, CEO of BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions in the Nordics said, “I’m very happy to see Komatsu Finance and BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions join forces to offer innovative and competitive finance solutions to Komatsu’s clients. The fact that this long-term partnership is now extending to the Nordics is only proof of our close collaboration. We are confident of the market potential and our synergies to make it a success.”

Johan Appelros, Sales manager for Komatsu Finance in the Nordic region said, “This is a long-term investment with the goal to offer Komatsu’s Nordic customers with sustainable and favorable investment terms. BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions is the perfect partner for us as we now establish in this region.”

BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, European leader in professional equipment finance, announces the appointment of Myriam Beque as Managing Director of the Bank Leasing Services International Business Line. She replaces Philippe Bricault who has been appointed the Deputy CEO of BNP Paribas Factor. In her new role, Myriam joins the Executive Committee of BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions and reports to Pascal Layan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Head of International Business Lines of BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions.

Myriam Beque, 56 years old, spent the initial years of her career on industrial restructuring programs, notably in the Arcelor group. She joined BNP Paribas in 2006 in the Midcap Structured Finance team where she supported executives in the financing of their acquisition projects.

In 2012, Myriam introduced a banking support approach for start-ups within and outside of France through the creation and development of We Are Innovation (WAI) networks.

In 2014, she launched business acceleration programmes and two centres for innovation: WAI Paris and Massy Saclay.

At the end of 2018, she created the Innovation and New Business Models department within the Business team for corporates of French Retail Banking, thereby developing the ‘Beyond Banking’ offers and approach for the markets like energy transition and digital transformation.

Myriam Beque is a graduate from the Ecole Centrale de Lyon.

Pascal Layan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Head of International Business Lines said, “Myriam’s holistic knowledge of the different business lines of the BNP Paribas Group will be a true asset in her new role where she will be working very closely with the banking division. I’m convinced that she has everything it takes to succeed in this strategic role and welcome her on behalf of everyone at BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions.”

BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, European leader in professional equipment finance, announces the appointment of Mirco Fusari as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He replaces Gianluca Masciadri who has been appointed the Chief Financial Officer of BNL. In his new role, Mirco will report directly to Isabelle Loc, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions.

Mirco Fusari, 46 years old, has 21 years of experience in the leasing industry.

After a first experience at an Italian bank, he joined BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions in 2000. During his initial years at BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, he held various positions within the Finance department: in 2003, he was a part of the Accounting, Reporting and Regulatory Affairs team and the following year, he became the Head of ALM & Management Control. In 2009, he became Deputy CFO and handled the merger with BNL and Fortis for Finance.

In 2012 he was appointed CFO of the Italian branch of Leasing Solutions and a member of the local Executive Committee.

In 2017, he moved to France and became Head of Corporate Management Control within the Leasing Solutions Corporate Finance division. He is an Economics graduate from the University of Bologna.

Isabelle Loc, CEO of BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions said, “Over the years, Mirco has proven his numerous skills and has been a true asset to the Finance department. His expertise, his excellent knowledge of the business, his vision and his commitment will be priceless in implementing the ambitions of our métier.”

BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, European leader of professional equipment finance, announces the appointment of Isabelle Loc as Chief Executive Officer, with effect from 19th May 2021. She succeeds Charlotte Dennery, who becomes Chief Executive Officer of BNP Paribas Personal Finance.

Isabelle Loc will report to Thierry Laborde, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Retail Banking division of the BNP Paribas Group and will be responsible for pursuing the growth and development of BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions and for outlining and implementing its next Medium-Term strategic plan (2022-2025).

Thierry Laborde, COO of the Retail Banking division of the BNP Paribas Group said, “I would like to thank Charlotte Dennery for the strong momentum that she has built for BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions through the expansion and transformation of the business over the past six years. With her expertise and solid knowledge of the Group, Isabelle Loc has the necessary skills to continue accelerating the growth of a business that lies at the heart of the real economy.”

Isabelle Loc, 38 years, has been the Head of Real Assets, EMEA at BNP Paribas CIB since 2018 and has played a key role in advising and financing clients across the energy, natural resources, infrastructures, transportation and real estate sectors. Between 2018 and 2016, she was a Senior Banker in charge of BNP Paribas’ strategic clients. She first joined the BNP Paribas Group Paribas in 2010 within the Global Equity & Commodity Derivatives teams and was later appointed the Secretary of the Group’s Executive Committee in 2013. Isabelle Loc began her career at McKinsey & Company. She is a graduate from Ecole Polytechnique and from Columbia University.

When the European Commission launched the landmark EU Green Deal in December 2019 it set out a bold plan for the continent to transition to a sustainable economic future. Described as “Europe’s man on the moon moment”, in broad brush strokes it outlined its ambition to be the world’s first carbon neutral continent by 2050.

Four years on and the road map outlined in the Green Deal has delivered significant change, and today, Europe undoubtedly leads the world in the transition to a low carbon, circular economy.

But as climate change accelerates and we inch ever closer to the 2050 deadline, one thing is clear – unlike the moon landing, Europe’s final destination is still unknown and if the Green Deal is to be an equally historic success, the devil will be in the detail.

WHAT IS THE EU TAXONOMY? HOW DOES IT LINK TO THE TRANSITION TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY?

The EU Taxonomy, Europe’s sustainable finance framework, is the place to dig into that detail. It underpins the Green Deal by setting a standard for economic activities that can be classified as environmentally and socially sustainable. It includes the transition to the circular economy as one of its key objectives and could help to unlock the trillions in finance needed to make circularity mainstream.

A recent taxonomy policy development has circular economy enthusiasts talking, with new guidelines that set out criteria to determine whether certain economic activity makes a “substantial contribution to the transition to a circular economy” – a transition that could be worth €1.8 trillion to the EU economy by 2030.

FROM A SIDE NOTE TO A KEY THEME

What caught my attention is that product-as-a-service (PaaS) has re-emerged as a key theme for the EU and an important lever for achieving the circular transition.

In 2020, PaaS was given just a passing mention as part of the 35 actions set out in the Circular Economy Action Plan (a major building block of the EU Green Deal), but through this taxonomy update the EU has signalled that it will prioritise PaaS as a mechanism to achieve the circular economy and, crucially, give organisations the criteria they need to implement it successfully.

The new technical guidance defines product-as-a-service models as “providing customers with access to products through service models, which are either use-oriented services, where ownership remains with the provider and the product is leased, shared, rented or pooled; or result-oriented, where the payment is pre-defined and the agreed result is delivered (i.e. pay per service unit)” (pg. 67).

It goes on to list a range of manufactured product groups that fit the bill, including textiles, electronics, furniture, and more (pg.67). This alone is a welcome step towards acknowledging the breadth of possibility that PaaS models can deliver.

However, the list is far from exhaustive, with medical tech, agricultural machinery, construction equipment, and automotives all notable omissions. Most, if not all, manufacturing sectors are being transformed by digitalisation at a rapid and increasing rate, meaning products become obsolete overnight and extracting the maximum value from resources, via circular models like PaaS, is paramount. The guidance will surely be broadened in future updates to capture the endless opportunities that as-a-service models can offer a multitude of industries.

The guidelines also set out criteria PaaS models must meet to be considered to be making a substantial contribution to the circular economy. First and foremost, the activity must “provide the customer with access to, and use of product(s), while ensuring that the ownership remains with the company providing this service, such as a manufacturer, specialist or retailer” (pg. 67).

THE LEASING INDUSTRY’S ROLE IN CIRCULAR TRANSITION

This is a call to arms for the leasing industry, which has an important role to play in helping organisations to implement systems that aid the circular transition. There is an opportunity here for lessors to build on our expertise in offering customers residual value pricing on assets (which inherently fosters the preservation of assets and their value) to offer a broad range of services covering the full lifecycle of an asset from asset management tools to data analysis to in-life maintenance support and sustainable end-of-life disposal.

Interestingly, the guidance also states that both a longer useful economic life through, for example, repair/refurbishment, and greater usage intensity (i.e. ride share services) are positive outcomes to be derived from PaaS models that will promote the transition to the circular economy (pg. 68). Clearly, the results for each of these approaches is very different because the more intensely a product is used, usually the shorter its life will be.

This is a powerful motivation for organisations to move away from traditional ownership models and work with lessors, who advocate for an optimum life of an asset rather than sweating an asset beyond its useful life, resulting in low value components with little opportunity for reuse. When managed properly, assets can deliver maximum value for organisations in their first lifecycle, be sustainably and securely refurbished and go on to fuel the second-hand market with high-quality products. These are the hallmarks of a truly circular economy.

Only three years after PaaS was just a side note in the EU Green Deal, it is now explicitly included in EU taxonomy, which is a hugely positive step forward. There’s still lots to do to create a framework that supports a truly circular economy and give investors and businesses the tools they need to implement circular solutions.

Setting these parameters will help the EU scale up sustainable investment, prevent greenwashing, and support organisations to transition to a more sustainable, future-proof way of doing business. Get this detail right and the sky really is the limit.

On June 19th, the 19 members of our Executive Committee made a strong commitment by signing the #NeverWithoutHer charter from BNP Paribas. This charter aims to promote the representation of women in the public sphere and has also been signed by 72 individuals across all the countries where our company is present.

Signing this charter means committing to be agents of change. We pledge to actively encourage women’s participation in all events and to promote their visibility and influence within and outside the company.

Joining this charter is not just a symbol; it is an additional concrete action to build a professional environment where women are represented, heard, and respected.

This issue is everyone’s issue, so we invite every employee to individually support this initiative by actively participating in the implementation of this charter in our daily practices. It is through our collective and individual commitment that we will make a significant difference for gender equality.

BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions receives Vendor Finance Provider and Best Energy Transition Financing Programme(s) awards at the Leasing Life Conference & Awards 2023. The ceremony, hosted on 9th November 2023 in Budapest, Hungary, marked the 20th anniversary of the prestigious awards which recognise the achievements of the key players in the European asset finance industry.

Scooping not one, but two fiercely contested awards, the accolade of Vendor Finance Provider is in recognition of BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions’ enduring commitment to its extensive network of equipment manufacturers and suppliers across Europe and beyond – supporting investment in essential business assets to boost growth and drive innovation.

The Award for Best Energy Transition Financing Programme(s) reflects BNP Paribas’ dedication to supporting partners and clients on their journey to net-zero.

Commenting on the two awards, Pascal Layan, Deputy CEO at BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions said: “To be recognised as Vendor Finance Provider highlights our unwavering commitment to partnerships, a core company value that drives us forward. To win the Award for Best Energy Transition Financing Programme(s) for the second year in a row emphasises our dedication to supporting our partners and their clients in their sustainable transition.”

“I want to thank our teams whose hard work fuels our success, and to our partners and clients who consistently place their trust in us. Together we are contributing to a sustainable and prosperous future.”

The awards ceremony was preceded by a conference at which Pascal Layan hosted an insightful and panel discussion with key members of the BNP Paribas’ team on a wide range of topics including business growth, new business models, digitalisation and sustainability.

Our joint venture partner, 3stepIT, also enjoyed well-deserved success on the night, securing the Best ‘ESG/Sustainability’ Initiative of the Year.

BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions claims European Lessor of the Year and Best Energy Transition Financing Program of the Year awards at the Leasing Life Conference & Awards 2022. In a ceremony hosted on 15 November 2022 at the George V hotel in Paris, Leasing Life, Europe’s leading asset finance journal, recognized the efforts and successes of the industry’s main players.

Against tough competition, BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions was singled out for its comprehensive product offer, advances in digitalization and innovation in sustainable finance. The judges were particularly impressed with the integrated One Bank model that allows BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions to draw on the vast expertise and capabilities of the BNP Paribas Group to deliver an unrivalled, fully integrated offer across its partner and client base.

Commenting on the two awards, Pascal Layan, Deputy CEO at BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions said: “To be recognised as the European Lessor of the Year for a record 7th time is just a remarkable achievement. It’s a very clear vote of confidence in the strength of our business model, our teams and the expertise we bring to the asset finance market. To also win the Best Energy Transition Financing Program award, in the first year for this award category, shows that our efforts in supporting the Group’s ambition to be a leading player in sustainable financing is paying dividends. I want to thank and congratulate our entire team on winning these awards.”

The awards ceremony was preceded by a conference during the day where William De Vijlder, Chief Economist at BNP Paribas and Pascal Layan presented their thoughts and insights in to the current economic environment, and the role of leasing during this period of uncertainty.

Additionally, 3stepIT, the leading provider of technology lifecycle management solutions and partner in the BNP Paribas 3 Step IT Joint Venture also secured the award for Best Circular Economy Model, edging out CSI Leasing and Société Générale Equipment Finance to take the honours.

On 30 April, BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions and Same Deutz-Fahr (SDF) marked a milestone anniversary as they celebrated a 25-year successful partnership. The partnership has been instrumental in driving the continued evolution of the agricultural sector through the formation of SDF Finance in 1998.

Since its inception, SDF Finance has been committed to providing innovative solutions and consistent funding that cater to the evolving needs of the agricultural industry. Today, the scope and geographical reach of the SDF Finance program has expanded, operating in 22 markets. The program offers sales support and finance solutions tailored to the manufacturer, its extensive dealer network, and the end customer.

The partnership between funder, manufacturer, and dealer has been effective in ensuring that the end customer has access to the most appropriate equipment and financing. This collaboration has helped SDF Finance to keep pace with evolving customer demands and changing market needs.

In a statement, Pascal Layan, Deputy CEO, BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions said, “We are incredibly proud of this milestone anniversary with one of the key players in agriculture equipment manufacturing. SDF Finance’s continued success reflects the breadth and depth of our expertise and geographical reach. We enable SDF and its dealers to offer customers access to innovative and high-quality equipment which helps to drive their businesses forward sustainably and realize their growth potential.”

Alessandro Maritano, Chief Commercial Officer, SDF stated “Sharing a common business ethos is one of the keys to the success of this partnership between SDF and BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions. Furthermore, facilitating access to new technologies and sustainable innovation is strong leverage to deliver tailor-made financial solutions to SDF dealers and customers. Having BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions as a solid worldwide financial partner has been, and will continue to be, a strong asset to shape the future growth of SDF in the agriculture industry.”

ABOUT SDF

SDF is an Italian multinational company based in Treviglio (Bergamo, Italy), among the world leaders in the production of tractors, agricultural harvesting machines and diesel engines. SDF distributes its products under the brands SAME, DEUTZ-FAHR, Lamborghini Tractors, Hürlimann, Grégoire and Vitibot. The tractor line-up covers a power range from 25 to 336 hp, while the harvesting machine range goes up to 395 hp. In nearly a century of history, SDF has contributed significantly to the mechanization of the agricultural sector, leading a successful international expansion path and being a driver of the digital transformation of agriculture. Today SDF produces “smart tractors” designed for increasing operational efficiency and productivity with a focus on Agriculture 4.0. SDF can rely on 9 production sites, 12 sales subsidiaries, 2 joint ventures, 155 importers and over 3,100 dealers and it employs more than 4,400 people worldwide. In 2022, the Company recorded revenues of 1,803 million euros and an EBITDA of 11.1%.

For more information, visit sdfgroup.com

BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions has announced a partnership with Eaton, the intelligent power management company, to offer tailored finance solutions to help business owners accelerate their energy transition while preserving cashflow.

In an era of elevated energy prices, business owners are looking at ways to reduce energy costs and ensure business continuity. Energy storage, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and EV charging infrastructure can help them to achieve these goals.

The solution developed by Eaton and BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions offers cashflow-friendly payment plans for infrastructure and equipment, and also integrates access to Eaton’s global service network.

Pascale Favre, Head of the Technology Lifecycle Solutions business line at BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions said: “Eaton’s approach is in line with our aim to support the transition to a net zero economy which is at the very heart of our GTS 2025 Plan. This is why we are looking forward to accompanying Eaton and its customers to invest in sustainable infrastructure and equipment.”

BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions and Eaton

Andreea Laplace, Strategic Financing and Venture Business Development Director at Eaton, said: “By taking an integrated approach to the energy transition, businesses will reap additional cost-savings and reduce their carbon footprint. Our Buildings as a Grid approach can include any combination of EV charging infrastructure, energy storage and renewable generation, but implementing all three yields most benefits. The solution we have developed with BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions gives customers access to energy transition technologies affordably, helping them to conserve cash while at the same time make a positive environmental impact.”

The finance programme is available now in France, Spain, Norway and Switzerland, with further European expansion planned in 2023.

ABOUT EATON

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to improving the quality of life and protecting the environment for people everywhere. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re accelerating the planet’s transition to renewable energy, helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges, and doing what’s best for our stakeholders and all of society.

Founded in 1911, Eaton has been listed on the NYSE for nearly a century. We reported revenues of $19.6 billion in 2021 and serve customers in more than 170 countries.

For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.