Omnes Capital (formerly Crédit Agricole Private Equity), via the LCL Expansion and Omnes Expansion funds, is investing in a management buyout for Groupe Eyssautier alongside the group’s management team.
Founded in 1935 by the Eyssautier family, the group is now the leading marine and transport insurance broker in France. It provides solutions to all insurance issues in the transport and shipping world, including risk analysis, negotiating and obtaining cover from insurers, insurance policy management, and claims and recourse management for policyholders. Its expertise includes Hull/P&I (hull and machinery insurance for merchant ships and ship owner’s liability) and Cargo insurance, in particular commodities.
It has a broad client base comprising shipping operators (ship owners, freight forwarders, ports, etc.) and companies that use marine transport (commodity producers, traders, etc.).
In 2012, the group generated revenues of almost EUR10m from its various marine insurance branches and employed some fifty people in Paris, Marseille and Athens.
François Lory, director in the LBO and expansion team at Omnes Capital, says: "Groupe Eyssautier is a historical player in the marine insurance market and is known internationally for its expertise. It has a loyal client base and a large number of insurance partners. The group now wishes to expand its business franchise to new clients and new markets. We are delighted to support the group in its development plans."
Paul-Eric Eyssautier, chairman of Groupe Eyssautier, says: "The arrival of Omnes Capital marks a new phase of growth for Groupe Eyssautier. We are seeking to inject a new entrepreneurial drive to strengthen our positions and accelerate the group’s growth. We expect a lot from our partnership with Omnes Capital and hope that they will support us effectively in delivering ever superior service."
