HESNAULT acquired by GROUPE SIFA

The Toulouse-based Groupe Jardel continues its national expansion by acquiring Transports Ducamin in Normandy. This acquisition allows Jardel to diversify its activity portfolio by integrating niche expertise in hazardous materials (fuel transport) and to strengthen its geographical footprint in the North-West of France, a region where it previously had less density.

The maritime group La Compagnie du Golfe et de la Navigation (CGN), which owns the iconic brands Les Bateaux Verts and Vedettes Iles d'Or, completes a new LBO ("LBO Bis"). The founder and CEO, Denis Robert, reorganizes the capital structure by bringing in AMDG Private Equity as a strategic partner, alongside Smalt Capital. This operation allows the exit of previous financial backers and provides the group with resources to accelerate its energy transition (hybridization of the fleet) and consolidate its leadership in the Var tourism market.

Infranity, a prominent European sustainable infrastructure investor and part of the Generali Group, has finalized the acquisition of a majority stake in TRANSARC. This investment, closed on July 3, 2024, marks a significant move to decarbonize one of France's leading private regional transport operators, as a core pillar of this partnership is the rapid electrification of TRANSARC�s fleet. Immediately following the acquisition, the group announced a strategic collaboration with RETROFLEET to implement an ambitious "retrofit" program.

Groupe CAT, a European giant in automotive logistics, has acquired a majority stake in 2L Logistics. This transaction marks a significant consolidation in the French market. By integrating 2L Logistics, Groupe CAT significantly reinforces its fleet and territorial coverage in France. For 2L Logistics, which had been growing through its own acquisitions (such as Transports Marzat), backing a global industrial player provides the financial stability and network required to sustain its rapid expansion in a capital-intensive sector.

ACEH, the parent company of Transports Cheminal, is continuing its geographical expansion southward by acquiring all the shares of Transports du Vivarais. This transaction allows the Haute-Loire-based group to establish a presence in the Ardeche region, a strategic axis for serving the Rhone Valley, and to increase its fleet by approximately forty vehicles.

The US private equity giant Carlyle Group has acquired the majority of the Locabox network (20 out of 25 centers) from its founding family, the Demonchy Group. This transaction marks Carlyle's entry into the French self-storage market, a sector consolidating rapidly. The operation is structured as a sale of assets/business, while the historical owners retain a minority scope of 5 centers in the South of France.

The Groupe Coquelle completes its third Management Buy-Out (MBO Ter) to reorganize its capital structure. The historical minority shareholder, Siparex, exits (or significantly reduces its stake), allowing the entry of a new pool of regional and national investors led by IRD Invest and Bpifrance.

DIMOTRANS Group welcomed Credit Mutuel Equity as a new minority shareholder to accelerate its transition toward a EUR1 billion revenue target within five years. The transaction involves a significant reinvestment from historical partner BNP Paribas Developpement and the management team. The deal is supported by a senior debt pool led by CIC Lyonnaise de Banque and other major French banks. The strategic focus is on consolidating the fragmented logistics market through aggressive acquisitions while maintaining the group's independent alternative positioning against global freight forwarding companies.

The 2L Logistics group, a specialist in automotive logistics (EUR115 million in revenue), is continuing its strategy of expanding its network by acquiring Transports Marzat. This transaction allows 2L Logistics to strengthen its presence in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and consolidate its "Automotive" division (vehicle transport), which represents the majority of its business.

The group finalizes the acquisition of LM Trans Fret, a regional transport operator specializing in freight forwarding, chartering, and pallet distribution, primarily serving the agri-food and industrial sectors. This bolt-on transaction perfectly aligns with the acquirer's strategy to densify its geographical footprint. By integrating this player, the group optimizes its domestic and regional transport flows, and unlocks commercial synergies across a diversified industrial customer base, further consolidating its position as an entrenched, end-to-end supply chain partner.