The haulier is pursuing a strategy of expansion and has acquired Transports Van de Walle, a company based in Issoudun. Here is an analysis and explanation from the experts at AURIS Finance, a consultancy specialising in mergers and acquisitions.
This represents a new phase of development for Groupe Rousseau, a leading player in the transport and logistics sector. The carrier has acquired Van de Walle, a haulier operating on the North-Île-de-France-Centre-Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes route. The group, which employs 210 people and has 65,000 m² of warehousing space, generates a turnover of €30 million. The company specialises in on-demand freight transport, refrigerated transport, tipper transport and dedicated rental. The acquisition of the Van de Walle Transport company by Groupe Rousseau includes 180 engines and 550 vehicle registrations..
A heavyweight in the industry
This latest acquisition is part of Groupe Rousseau’s forward-looking and ambitious development strategy. In 2023, the company completed the integration of Transports Charrier and Boudet, two family-run businesses based in the Nièvre and Cher regions, respectively. This transaction resulted in the addition of 280 new vehicle registrations to the fleet, increasing the total number of vehicles to 600. In April 2023, Groupe Rousseau further consolidated its position in the bulk transport sector with the acquisition of EF Bennes. In order to reinforce the group’s tipper transport operations, fifteen new drivers have been recruited.
A global offer
Groupe Rousseau grew from its first subsidiary, Les Transports Éric Rousseau, created in 1994. The carrier has expanded through organic growth and a series of strategic acquisitions. The company now employs 740 people and has 1,200 vehicles registered to it, operating from ten locations in Nièvre, Pas-de-Calais, Gironde, Yonne, Cher and Puy-de-Dôme. Furthermore, the group has expanded its product range to include niche markets such as barrel transport, the transportation of dangerous goods, tanker transport and the transportation of goods under controlled temperatures.
Optimisation and synergy
The carrier has now reached a critical point in its development and is exploiting synergies to transform its services. Groupe Rousseau has adopted a proactive approach to the energy transition, leveraging its extensive fleet to drive this transition. The company is committed to making its fleet greener by acquiring and gradually replacing its trucks with electric and hybrid vehicles. The group has also implemented digital solutions to optimise its transport flows and joined the Evolutrans network, a consortium of over 100 small and medium-sized transport and logistics companies, which provides access to shared digital tools.
Our experts at your service
The acquisitions made by Groupe Rousseau reflect the current trends in the transport sector. In order to meet the new challenges presented by digital transformation and the need for greener fleets, family-run SMEs are forming new partnerships. The most robust entities are pursuing acquisitions of smaller companies with a well-established local presence. They are also relying on trade groups to enhance their visibility in a highly competitive market. These networks can be utilised to identify potential targets. The freight transport sector presents a number of promising opportunities today. The AURIS Finance team comprises experts with in-depth knowledge of each sector. They provide comprehensive support throughout the buyout and sale process, assisting in identifying potential targets and structuring financial operations.
