Founded in 1949, the family-owned STG group is a leading player in temperature-controlled transport and logistics, which has grown almost continuously since its creation. The company has revenue of nearly €400 million and has more than 1,600 trucks and 3,500 employees. Built around strong entrepreneurial and human values, the STG Group has over time been able to consolidate its position as the second largest player in the market thanks to decisive strengths: highly qualified teams, know-how recognized by its customers and a solid network with strategic locations throughout France.
Adviso Partners advised the Gautier family in the sale of 75% of the STG Group to the Hivest Capital Partners fund, an independent French private equity firm, in order to provide the company with the funds it needs to develop. In association with the Gautier family, which retains 25% of the capital, Hivest Capital Partners intends to help write a new page in the Group's history via an ambitious industrial project that will be led by a new management team. This new team is made up of Jean-Paul Onillon (former CEO of the Casino group), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Franck Maso (former Lahaye Global Logistics group), Chief Operating Officer.
The aim of this industrial project is to give the Group the means to respond to the new challenges of controlled temperature logistics -"zero DECEMBER 2" production, tracking, stock management, digital services, etc. - and to speed up its development strategy in this promising market, by also enabling the establishment of partnerships and targeted acquisitions. This project will enable the Group to become a leading national and international player.
Jean-Yves Gautier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, representing the interests of family shareholders, states: "The choice of Hivest Capital is dictated by the desire to have a solid and trusted shareholder, who will ensure the development of STG. Controlled temperature logistics is undergoing rapid change, and the backing of a dynamic financial partner will make it possible to transform the Group to meet the new challenges in the sector."
Axel Bonnassies, Managing Partner of Hivest Capital Partners, adds: "The history of STG, built by Rémy and Danielle Gautier, then their children Jean-Yves and Antoine Gautier, is a real French success story. The company is now a major player in the controlled temperature logistics market and has all the assets to take advantage of the fantastic opportunities that this sector will offer over the next ten years."
Bertrand Thimonier, Chairman and Founder of Adviso Partners concludes: "After a process led by Adviso Partners, during which major logistics and, in particular, international players had shown strong interests, the Gautier family finally chose the Hivest Capital Partners investment fund, which proposed a mixed financial and entrepreneurial project."
