NiXEN and Ardian announce the signing, with the management team and the other historical financial investors of Babeau-Seguin, of an agreement for the acquisition by Ardian of a majority stake in the group, the third builder of single-family detached houses in France.

NiXEN acquired a majority stake in the group in December 2011 alongside its founder and President Bruno Babeau, as well as its management team and its financial co-investors, including Pechel Industries and the other historical investors.

During the last years, NiXEN has supported the growth strategy implemented by Bruno Babeau and his teams. Since 2010, the Babeau-Seguin Group’s turnover has almost doubled and is expected to reach more than €180m in 2017. With ten renowned brands, including the Maisons Babeau-Seguin brand, the Group offers a range of over 200 homes.

Bruno Babeau, President of the Babeau-Seguin Group, said: “The Babeau-Seguin Group has benefitted from the knowledge and know-how of NiXEN in terms of strategy. We now rely on Ardian’s investment to allow us to continue our strategy of geographic development, through internal and external growth, with a single goal: using our size to provide our clients with unbeatable value for money.”

 

“With Bruno Babeau we have successfully led an active strategy of organic growth, with the opening of more than 15 new agencies and investment in five construction build-ups, which has allowed us to create better links across the territory as well as accelerate the group’s digital progress ”, added Pierre Rispoli, Managing Director of NiXEN Partners.

 

Alexis Lavaillote, Managing Director at Ardian Expansion, said: “We are well versed in the sector having invested in another regional player several years ago. We are pleased to be working with the Babeau-Seguin Group and would like to thank Bruno Babeau and his team for their trust. The market for the construction of single-family houses is very fragmented and we will continue to support the external growth strategy of the management team, among other things.”

Ardian’s investment is awaiting approval from antitrust authorities.

List of participants: 

• NiXEN Partners: Pierre Rispoli, Johann Le Duigou, Steven Barrois
• Pechel Industries: Bertrand Hainguerlot
• Seller advisors:
• Lincoln International (M&A advisor): Dominique Lecendreux, Arnaud Dudognon, Serge Palleau, Julien Chevrier, Margaux Lamothe
• EY (financial  advisor): Paul Gerber, Stéphane Vignals, Guillaume Lestang
• LEK (stratégic  advisor): David Danon-Boileau, Frédéric Dessertine, Servane Perrot
• STC Partners (tax, legal and social  advisor): Bertrand Araud, Delphine Bariani, Etienne Pujol
• De Pardieu Brocas Maffei (legal  advisor): Guillaume Touttée, Frédéric Tual
• Ardian: Alexis Lavaillote, Caroline Pihan, Sacha Azuelos
• Buyer advisors:
• Invest Securities (M&A  advisor): Bertrand Le Galcher Baron, Rémi Pollet
• Accuracy (financial  advisor):  Arnaud Lambert, Luojia Zhang, Jean Schott
• Advancy (stratégic  advisor):  Patrick Pudduy, Stepan Wildt, Charlotte Morizot
• Weil, Gotshal & Manges (legal  advisor):  Frédéric Cazals, Maxime Fradet
• WGM (financing  advisor):  Cassandre Porges
• WGM (tax  advisor)   Edouard de Lamy
• WGM (competition law  advisor): Romain Ferla
• Niji (digital advisor):  Romain Delavenne, Céline Feron
• Marsh (insurance):  Jean-Marie Dargaignaratz, Ersida Ago
• Management advisors:
• Groupe SECC (financing): Denis Gouaille
• Cabinet Ratheaux (legal): Gaétan de la Bourdonnaye