Illustration representing the partnership between API Group and Actual Group, supported by AURIS Finance in the human resources sector in Occitanie.
AURIS Finance advised the shareholders of API Group in the context of its partnership with the Actual Group, a major player in the French labor and employment market. This transaction marks a new strategic milestone for API and fully aligns with the ongoing consolidation dynamics in the human resources sector, particularly at the regional level.
API: a leading player in local employment in Occitanie
Founded in 2007, API Group has gradually established itself as a key player in local employment, thanks to a network of seven agencies and a customer-centric, proximity-based approach.
Recognized for the quality of its teams, API has built its reputation on strong values: responsiveness, professionalism, and deep knowledge of local labor markets. The group supports a diversified portfolio of SMEs and mid-cap companies, operating across all sectors, offering tailored solutions for both businesses and candidates.
This strong territorial presence and ability to meet the specific needs of local economic players have made API a trusted partner in its market.
Actual Group: a major national human resources player
A family-owned and independent group, Actual is today the 5th largest player in the French labor and employment market. With a network of 600 agencies and over 4,000 employees, the group has become a national reference in human resources.
Actual supports its clients across all HR challenges, with a comprehensive offering including temporary staffing, recruitment, training, and broader talent management. Its model combines strong local presence with proven tools and methods at the national level.
A partnership based on complementarity and shared values
This partnership is primarily based on geographical and operational complementarity. For Actual Group, integrating API strengthens its regional presence in Occitanie by partnering with a recognized and well-established local actor.
For API, this transaction provides access to an expanded HR service offering and new development opportunities within a structured group, while preserving the DNA and values that made the company successful.
Beyond economic considerations, the shared values of these two family-owned groups played a decisive role in the decision. A common vision of the business, based on respect for teams, temporary workers, and clients, has been essential in building a sustainable and balanced partnership.
A value-creating transaction in a consolidating market
In a context of accelerated structuring in the human resources sector, this transaction illustrates the ability of high-performing regional players to join national groups while retaining their identity and close ties to local labor markets. It reflects market dynamics focused on achieving critical scale, diversifying offerings in temporary staffing, recruitment, and training, and enhancing service quality for companies and candidates. It also highlights the importance of the human factor and local roots in external growth strategies, particularly in economically active regions like Occitanie and across France.
The role of AURIS Finance
AURIS Finance acted as exclusive advisor to the shareholders of API in this transaction.
The AURIS Finance teams supported the management throughout the entire process, from strategic planning to finalizing the partnership, ensuring the shareholders’ interests were protected and identifying a partner aligned with API’s values and development strategy.
