10 Jun 2014

PAI Partners enters into exclusive discussions with DomusVi, a leading provider of nursing homes and services to elderly dependent people in France, to acquire a majority stake in the company.

Paris, France – PAI Partners (PAI), announces today that it is entering exclusive discussions with the shareholders of DomusVi to acquire the company, one of the leaders in the French medicalised and non-medicalised nursing home market, with revenues of €647 million in 2013. In the proposed deal, PAI would hold a majority stake alongside Yves Journel, who would re-invest in the new capital structure through the intermediary of DV Holding, and the management team.
Born out of the merger in early 2011 between DomusVi , founded by Yves Journel, and Dolcéa, founded by Jean- François Gobertier, DomusVi is today a key player in the French nursing home market with close to 200 centres and more than 15,000 beds, helping meet the needs of elderly people at all stages of dependency.
Completion of the transaction is subject to consultation with DomusVi’s Works Council and satisfactory clearance from relevant competition and regulatory authorities.
« I am pleased that DV Holding will continue its journey with DomusVi into its new phase of development, with the ambition of further establishing the company’s position as a key and diverse player in the provision of services to elderly dependent people. PAI Partners is a partner of choice for this next stage of our development.», said Yves Journel, founder of DomusVi.
« GDP Vendôme Dolcéa contributed to the creation of DomusVi in 2011 by providing a majority of the centres contributed to the merged entity, thereby establishing a leader in the market of care services to dependent people. We now hand over to an institutional investor which will be able to ensure the continued development of the business. GDP Vendôme will continue to pursue its historical activities with two directing priorities in terms of development : services at home through the concept of Villa Sully « automated apartments» and international development with a number of contracts in the process of being signed.», said Jean-François Gobertier, founder of Dolcéa-GDP Vendôme.
Jean-François Vitoux, Chairman of the Board of DomusVi commented « Over the last three years, we have structured the company to bring it to benchmark level and ensure a strong organic development whilst at the same time delivering operating ratios amongst the best in the industry. In PAI Partners, we have chosen an institutional partner which has experience and specialises in investing in sectors with consolidation potential. PAI will work with us to implement our strategy to reinforce our position in France and grow in attractive regions abroad.»
Frédéric Stévenin, Partner at PAI Partners, added: « PAI Partners is delighted to become the majority shareholder in DomusVi alongside its founder Yves Journel. Our common goal is to reinforce DomusVi’s position as a leader in the French market and look at pursuing further growth opportunities in Europe and elsewhere. We will back the management team as it looks to deliver this new phase in the company’s development.»
DomusVi shareholders were advised by Rothschild & Cie, Cannacord, Gassenbach, Ashurst and Weil Gotshal. PAI was advised by BNP Paribas and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP.