Ardian signs deal to acquire majority stake in the Babeau-Seguin Group

Ardian, the independent private investment company, today announces the signing of a deal with NiXEN, the management and the other historical shareholders, to acquire a majority stake in the Babeau-Seguin 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.”

Alexis Lavaillote, Managing Director at Ardian Expansion, added: “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 singlefamily houses is very fragmented and we will continue to support the external growth strategy of the management team, among other things.”

“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 ”, said Pierre Rispoli, CEO of NiXEN Partners.

This investment would be the sixth made by the Ardian Expansion IV fund, which raised €1 billion in 2016. The fund targets investments in high-growth businesses, the value of which can reach 225 million euros, in France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain.

Ardian’s investment is awaiting approval from antitrust authorities.