Why take over a company in Provence?

A structured network of partners accompanies the transfer of businesses in Aix-Marseille-Provence.

According to BPI France's Business Transfer Barometer, before investigating a sector of activity, buyers most often target a specific territory. This is a real opportunity for Aix-Marseille-Provence, an attractive metropolis for starting new entrepreneurial ventures or investing for external growth, strengthened by the city’s high standard of living.

In the Bouches-du-Rhône (south of France), many actors are involved in the transmission and takeover of companies, including Provence Promotion. As an economic development agency and with its "Go Between in Provence" support program, the transfer projects identified in the territory are pushed to potential buyers and are then followed up with a partner network. In 2021, 45 business connections were made by the agency and each year a dozen takeover projects are realized, allowing the safeguarding and creation of new jobs in the territory.

Taking over a company in Provence is certainly an option that any entrepreneur who wishes to combine quality of life and professional projects should consider!

With its diversified economy, Aix-Marseille-Provence is fortunate to be able to offer takeover opportunities in a wide variety of sectors: digital, industry, lifestyle, health, and even aeronautics.

Several times a year, events are organized to discover potential transmissions and the business opportunities they present. Bankers, chartered accountants, consulting firms, and organizations such as the CCI Aix-Marseille-Provence and Provence Promotion come together to identify projects from sellers and to make contacts. Provence Promotion regularly enriches the portfolio of its "Go Between in Provence" transmission program, which is presented to outside investors in France and abroad.

Stanislas Toy-Riont was put in touch with several sellers in Aix-Marseille before launching and taking over Alliance du Froid in La Ciotat as of June 2019, which specializes in providing equipment for the food industry. Alliance du Froid continues to grow and is currently recruiting 4 refrigeration maintenance technicians.

"1 in 3 investors want to set up via acquisition," explains Salima Chelabi, head of the "Go Between in Provence" transmission program at the Provence Promotion economic development agency.

It was during a network event that Roberta von Arx and Roger Boneff, two former executives of international companies, were assisted by Provence Promotion in their takeover project and were able to identify the Tennis du Midi company in Saint-Cannat as their target for acquisition via MBA Capital.

Amongst its most notable acquisition events in the region is the Business Transfer Forum organized by the CCIAMP and the IRCE's "Rencontres du Club des repreneurs" meetings.

Making a takeover project a reality in Provence

If the purchase of a company perpetuates economic activity and job creation, it is then necessary to develop financial stability and implement growth projects. "We make sure we support buyers who maintain and create new jobs in the region," explains Salima Chelabi.

For Provence Promotion, whose primary goal is to assist entrepreneurs who wish to set up in Aix-Marseille, it is standard to put new enterprises in touch with local companies for the sake of diversification operations through external growth or strategic partnerships or both.

This was the case for the Aix-based company, STIL, which was acquired by the Italian group Marposs, the world leader in precision equipment for measuring and controlling production processes. This acquisition gave STIL, now STIL Marposs, access to cutting-edge technology that led to +25% growth in 2020.

To analyze the soundness of these takeover project, Provence Promotion mobilizes a network of experts in firms like Eurallia Finance, Resolvys, Akheos, KPMG, PWC, Ficorec, In Extenso, CRA, and others to best understand these projects.

"We work on a case-by-case basis with our partners in the ‘Go Between in Provence’ program. We organize round table discussions at different stages of the project. They intervene during the whole process, our role being to facilitate the transfer. The network of transfer professionals in Aix-Marseille is well-structured, which is an asset in bringing projects to fruition," says Salima Chelabi, who lists more than 100 professionals specializing in transfers in the "Go Between in Provence" program.

Assistance for business takeovers in Provence

Several organizations offer financial assistance for business takeovers in the region. The South Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, for example, grants subsidies linked to the creation of additional jobs, which can be combined with aid from BPI France or other networks depending on the nature of the project (innovation, material investment, etc.) and the profile of the buyer.

Connect Pro, which recently integrated into Turenne Groupe, and Provence Business Angels are among the private investors associated with Provence Promotion that can be introduced to potential buyers during financial rounds and meetings.