Ardian signs an agreement with Graco Inc. for the sale of Corob, global leader in high-tech dispensing and mixing solutions for paints and coatings

International private equity firm Cinven is pleased to announce that it has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire the Finaxy group (‘Finaxy’ or ‘the Company’), a leading French multi-specialist insurance broker, from Ardian, a world-leading private investment house. The management team, led by Founder and CEO Erick Berville, will significantly reinvest alongside Cinven. Financial details of the transaction are confidential.

Established in 2009 and headquartered in Paris, Finaxy is a leading player in the French insurance brokerage market with over 330 employees, having delivered strong organic growth and executed a successful buy-and-build strategy, including more than 30 acquisitions in France. The Company has established a strategic position across its three specialised divisions: “Enterprise” that is focused on the insurance of major Property and Casualty (‘P&C’) and Health and Protection risks for businesses; “Affinities” that specialises in niche insurances; and “Solutions” that manages and develops the group’s major strategic and institutional partnerships.

Since Ardian’s majority acquisition in 2020, Finaxy has invested significantly to accelerate the development of its multi-specialist broker model with the addition of new niche verticals and continued regional expansion. This strategy has strengthened Finaxy's leadership in the SME / mid-size enterprise segment and has translated into a path of continued strong revenue growth. Finaxy also continued its industry diversification and acquisition strategy through, amongst others, the acquisition of Xplorassur in its Affinities division.

Cinven would be investing out of its Strategic Financials Fund that specialises in the financial services industry and brings substantial experience of investing in and growing insurance brokers. Cinven will look to work closely with the Finaxy management team and contribute significant resources and capital to further accelerate strategic value-enhancing M&A across the fragmented French market, and to drive further growth by attracting new team hires, while upholding Finaxy’s commitment to long-term client-focused delivery.  

“We are delighted to partner with Erick Berville, Philippe Guetta, Cyril Chazarain and the rest of the team and we look forward to supporting them in their growth ambitions. The Company has a differentiated position in a resilient and expanding market, and we see a tremendous opportunity to accelerate Finaxy’s current growth momentum.” Juan Monge, Partner, Cinven

“Finaxy is a unique opportunity for Cinven funds to invest in a French multi-specialist broker of scale. Drawing on Cinven’s significant experience in insurance brokerage and Cinven’s strong presence in France and across Europe, we believe Cinven will be the perfect partner to lead Finaxy in its next stage of growth.” Luigi Sbrozzi, Partner and Head of the Strategic Financials Funds, Cinven

“The acquisition of Finaxy is the result of Cinven's considerable track-record in financial services combined with our strong presence in the French market. We look forward to supporting the Finaxy team in their next phase of development.” David Giroflier, Senior Principal, Cinven

“The Executive Board: Philippe Guetta, Cyril Chazarain and I, together with the Group's management, would like to thank François Jerphagnon, Alexis Lavaillote and all the Ardian Expansion teams for the 4 years we have spent together and for their unfailing support for the Finaxy group. This close collaboration has enabled us to achieve our growth objectives and keep to our development plan with an excellent atmosphere of cooperation. 15 years after its creation in 2009, the Finaxy group is now one of the top 10 brokers in France, with more than 700 million premiums collected, mainly in insurance for small and medium-sized businesses, and a strengthened position as a multi-specialist broker, particularly following the creation in 2023 of Xplorassur, number 1 in travel insurance and assistance.  We have chosen to continue our adventure with Cinven in order to pursue and significantly accelerate our organic and external growth. Having already established a foothold abroad, we now have a shared desire to focus on a new major area of international development.” Erick Berville, Founder and CEO, Finaxy    

“We were proud to work alongside the Finaxy teams. They have developed the group both organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. The growth potential is still very significant. Management's focus on digital, ESG and human capital issues has also been a powerful driver of value creation.” Alexis Lavaillote, Managing Director Expansion, Ardian     

Centerview Partners acted as financial advisor to Cinven on the transaction. 

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
 

Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, and SD Worx, one of the main European HR and payroll solutions providers, have reached an agreement for the sale of F2A, the leading Italian HR and payroll solutions provider controlled by Ardian since February 2016. With this transaction, SD Worx will expand its offering and geographical footprint and accelerate its growth in the European HR and payroll solutions industry. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

More than 1,200 experts of F2A support 6,000 customers across two business units: HR & payroll (c. 85% of revenues) and Finance & Accounting (c. 15% of revenues). During Ardian’s investment, F2A accelerated its development strategy by successfully closing more than 20 build-ups, expanding service offering and reaching an important position in Italy.

“We are thrilled to announce the sale of F2A to SD Worx. I congratulate Raul Mattaboni and his team for all the successful development over the last years. Ardian’s Expansion team targets resilient and high-quality businesses with experienced management teams where there is great growth potential. Through our close partnership with entrepreneurs and managers, we have successfully accompanied several mid-sized companies on their journey to becoming market leaders. Italy represents a key geography for us, where we intend to continue investing by selecting the best opportunities.” François Jerphagnon, Member of the Executive Committee, Managing Director of Ardian France & Head of Expansion

"Together with the F2A management team, we have pursued an important growth path, and we think there are still many opportunities to be seized in this space. The strong interest in F2A of an international player like SD Worx is a clear indication of the high strategic value of our asset. We wish F2A and SD Worx every success for the company's next chapter." Marco Molteni, Managing Director Expansion, Ardian

"Italy is the fourth largest economy in Europe, with many SMEs and midmarket employers showing strong appetite for payroll outsourcing. The complex Italian payroll landscape requires a combination of local software and expertise. I look forward to working together with Raul Mattaboni who will continue to lead the business." Kobe Verdonck, CEO of SD Worx

“Becoming part of SD Worx is a significant milestone for F2A, recognizing the exceptional work accomplished by all our colleagues over the years. With the support of Ardian, we have become the leader in the Italian market for professional services to companies of all sizes and sectors. I am personally enthusiastic to embark on this new chapter in F2A's history. This transition will not only enhance our professional growth but also provide our clients with even better and more diversified services, all while maintaining the human touch that has always defined us.” Raul Mattaboni, CEO of F2A

Following regulatory approvals, SD Worx will acquire 100% of the shares of F2A.

The price of the transaction will not be disclosed.

Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, today announced that it has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire a majority stake in DIAM, a world leader in the Visual Merchandising and Shopfitting markets for the beauty and luxury sectors, alongside the management team, which would reinvest significantly, and BNP Paribas Développement.

After an initial successful collaboration with Ardian between 2016 and 2018, DIAM has since continued to grow and strengthen its geographical positions, supported by EMZ Partners and a consortium of investors including BNP Développement, Idia and Socadif. The group now employs over 3,200 people spread over 30 sites in 20 countries, supporting its customers on a local-to-local basis in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. In 2023, DIAM's sales exceeded 400 million euros, mainly in the Visual Merchandising, Shopfitting, Niche Packaging and Point of Sales’ Services segments. The Group's recent growth has been driven by strong geographic expansion, the extension of its product range, and the close proximity to customers that lies at the heart of DIAM's culture. Today, the Group is recognized as the sector's front runner in terms of CSR commitments, working to implement key actions for beauty and luxury brands.

DIAM acts for its customers across the entire value chain, with an offer combining consulting, creative and technical design, engineering, production, delivery, installation, after-sales services and recycling. 

For more than 50 years, DIAM has forged close relationships with leading groups such as L'Oréal, LVMH, Estée Lauder, Richemont, Shiseido, Chanel, Hermès and independent brands. To best meet their expectations, the Group has always focused on a dual understanding of the Groups and the distribution systems. In addition, DIAM is resolutely focused on building significant innovation and CSR benefits, notably from the angles of carbon reduction and with a  strong focus on the development of people and teams.

Ardian, which has known the DIAM Group for many years, will support the management team's strategy of: 
•    Reinforce CSR benefits and social commitment
•    Develop Visual Merchandising, Shopfitting, Niche Packaging, Connectivity and In-Store Services, through a number of organic initiatives and possible acquisitions
•    Develop all DIAM Group brands: Diam, Prugent, Field Flex, Fine Packaging Manufacturers, MR, Retail3D, Conex, B2D.

The completion of the transaction remains subject to the usual conditions precedent and the approval of the relevant regulatory authorities.

“The entire management team is delighted to welcome Ardian Expansion back into our capital. After going through the complex period of Covid, clarifying our core businesses, growing our teams and ensuring 4 years of strong development. DIAM has become much more balanced, both in terms of geographical distribution and in terms of broadening the offer and number of brands served, and more solid both in financial and extra-financial terms. We therefore need a leading shareholder to support a new phase of ambitious growth. Ardian will be a major asset for DIAM and our customers in this new phase of the Group's development.” Françoise Raoul-Duval, President and CEO, DIAM

"We are delighted to once again support DIAM in this new phase of its development. The Group's strong performance over the last few years demonstrates its leadership and ability to adapt to demanding market trends. We are convinced that this strategic partnership will enable DIAM to pursue its growth trajectory and assert its global leadership." Arnaud Dufer, Head of Expansion France, Ardian

"DIAM, led by a tremendous management team, will target external growth in services and packaging. The Group's ESG approach will continue to be a very strong marker of its strategy." Alexis Lavaillote, Managing Director Expansion, Ardian

"Diam has a management team with exceptional leadership, with an entrepreneurial spirit and a deeply human dimension. We are delighted to have been at their side over the last few years." Ajit Jayaratnam & Ludovic Bart, EMZ Partners