Bryan, Garnier & Co advises RealDolmen in the sale of its subsidiary Airial Conseil to Gfi Informatique
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Paris, June 26th, 2014 – Bryan, Garnier & Co, the independent investment bank specialized in European growth companies, announces today the sale of 100% of Airial Conseil, a subsidiary of RealDolmen to Gfi Informatique.
Airial was founded in 1979 and is located in Paris and Lille. The firm is a specialist in IT services for major French companies and public bodies. Airial generated revenues of c.€30m in 2013 and counted around 350 employees.
The company has a prestigious client base with more than half of its revenue with the public sector, 20% with financial and insurance services companies and the rest from major telecom, industry or services companies.
Virginie Lazès, Managing Partner with Bryan, Garnier & Co commented: « This success demonstrates the strong commitment of our team and its proximity with European IT companies. We are very proud to have advised both RealDolmen’s and Airial’s teams in this new phase. »
Alexandre Boukhari, Director with Bryan, Garnier & Co pointed out: « This transaction illustrates the strong consolidation trend in the IT sector. In this context, and given its understanding of the IT industry, Bryan, Garnier & Co has once again demonstrated its ability to find the right partner for Airial Conseil, ensuring a smooth transition for all parties. »
Airial has strong renowned know-how in the conversion/migration of data and IT solutions dedicated to both the pharmaceutical and insurance industries. With more than 40% of its revenues from Third-Party Application Maintenance, the firm enjoys strong recurring revenues. The acquisition of Airial Conseil illustrates RealDolmen’s long term strategy of reinforcing its position within the IT services market for large public bodies and demonstrates the strong added value position merits of Airial Conseil and the quality of its client’s portfolio.
Florent Evain, CEO of Airial, added: “We are delighted to have completed this operation with such a strategic partner as Gfi Informatique who will strongly benefit from Airial’s specific know-how.”
Paul De Schrijver, CFO of RealDolmen, commented:
“In the rapidly changing environment facing IT services companies, we are pleased to have reconciled our strategic imperatives and the desire to secure a stable future for both Airial’s employees and clients through this operation with a leading actor in the French IT Services market.”
Vincent Rouaix, CEO of Gfi Informatique pointed out:
« This acquisition confirms Gfi Informatique ability to attract interesting assets in a consolidating market. »
About Airial
For over 30 years, Airial is one of the few historical and sizeable players that provides IT Services to public sectors as well as large corporate clients. The company focuses on application lifecycle with a strong footprint in key industries: public contract, Healthcare, Finance, Para Public and private, telecom companies as well as services companies.
Along years, Airial has shown a high capability to develop long-standing relations with customers, particularly in Public and Telco areas thanks to its know-how in RFOs and complex projects with major actors in French economy such as ministries, industries, banks, media and financial institutions. Airial made over 60% of its revenue from the public market contract and distinguishes itself from its competitors with a share of its revenue of lump-sum of approximately 55%. Airial has c.350 employees and €30m of revenue of 2013. Within the IT services market for large public bodies, it demonstrates the strong added value position merits of Airial Conseil and the quality of its client’s portfolio.
About RealDolmen
RealDolmen, is one of the major independent provider « single source » of ICT solutions. With 1,600 collaborators, RealDolmen is the hardware and software partner of many organizations from a diverse range of sectors. The company is headquartered in Huizingen and has more than 1,000 clients in France and Benelux. With its different geographical locations (Belgium, France and Luxembourg), RealDolmen can provide the best services to its clients.
In 2013 the firm generated revenues of approximately €238m.
RealDolmen is listed on Euronext Brussels, NYSE Euronext (Compartment A) – Code ISIN : BE0003899193. 60% of its revenue from the public market contract and distinguishes itself from its competitors with a share of its revenue of lump-sum of approximately 55%. Airial has c.350 employees and €30m of revenue of 2013. Within the IT services market for large public bodies and demonstrates the strong added value position merits of Airial Conseil and the quality of its client’s portfolio.
About Gfi Informatique
Gfi Informatique is a leading European actor in IT services and software. Gfi Informatique holds a unique strategic positioning compared to other companies with a worldwide span and other firms with a focus on niche markets. With its multi-specialist expertise, the firm is able to provide a unique combination of proximity, sector organization and industrial-quality solutions. Gfi Informatique counts approximately 10,000 employees and in 2013 €743m of revenue.
Gfi Informatique is listed on Euronext Paris, NYSE Euronext (Compartment B) – Code ISIN: FR0004038099 99193. 60% of its revenue from the public market contract and distinguishes itself from its competitors with a share of its revenue of lump-sum of approximately 55%. Airial has c.350 employees and €30m of revenue of 2013. Within the IT services market for large public bodies and demonstrates the strong added value position merits of Airial Conseil and the quality of its client’s portfolio.