August Debouzy advised the France Thermes group, and its CEO Sylvain SERAFINI, a group specializing in the development of thermal and touristic resorts, in connection with the acquisition of Compagnie de Vichy, a leader in the hydrotherapy/spa industry in France. With the support of GIMV as a majority shareholder and Société Générale Capital Partenaires as a minority shareholder, this transaction allows the France Thermes group to generate another 35 million euros in revenue.
With the addition of Compagnie de Vichy's assets and the activities that it operates, the France Thermes group includes several complementary activities: operation of the thermal baths and facilities and associated hotels, sale of mineral water under the "Vichy Célestins" brand, management of the Vichy brand and advisory and engineering services for the creation and rehabilitation of Spa Hotels.
France Thermes's strategy is to create and develop distinctive and unique thermal and touristic resorts. France Thermes aims at reinforcing the specific identity of each resort based on its history and inherent strengths, in order to offer services with distinctive content and specific visibility and create a brand that is specific to the site.
With this strategic acquisition, the France Thermes group has become the second largest thermal spa company, with an estimated turnover of 56 million euros in 2019.
Legal advice:
August Debouzy advised the France Thermes group (Legal department: Matthieu Clodong, secretary general), with a team run by Emmanuelle Mignon (partner), on Public Law matters.