Founded in 1921 by the grandfather of the current CEO, Jacques Dirickx, Dirickx is a specialist provider of perimeter security.

The company, which has manufacturing facilities in France, Slovakia, and China, provides complete fencing including furnishings (rolls or panel structures) and fixation accessories and catches (gates, automation and gate systems).

3i was invited in August 2004 by Crédit Lyonnaise Private Equity (CLPE) to take a minority stake in the business. Some members of the Dirickx family wanted to exit the business so two thirds of the investment was used to buy out their stake. The remainder was used to fund its acquisition programme.

3i helped Dirickx purchase rival company in Slovakia, improved company's financial reporting by recruiting a new IT Director and consultancy and accelerate its international development.

3i sold its stake to the management and Dirickx family in May 2010.