Communiqué - RSM France

RSM, the 6th largest global network of advisory and audit services, conducted the financial vendor due diligence for the HESNAULT family group, a transit and international transport organizer, during its sale to the SIFA family group, a leader in freight transport to overseas territories and an expert in international logistics.

After supporting the HESNAULT Group in the acquisition of the New Zealand-based AquaAir Group, this is the second transaction entrusted to RSM's Transaction Services team.

Through this transaction, the Corporate Finance division demonstrates its ability to support the development of family-owned mid-market companies in the international transport and logistics sector.

The Groupe familial SIFA, founded in 1951, was initially specialized in the importation of Antillean fruits to mainland France – SIFA standing for Société d’importation franco-antillaise. It then expanded rapidly by specializing in transportation to and from overseas territories, with a global reach. Today, it is one of the leaders in freight transport to these regions and a trusted logistics partner for international territories.

With 700 employees, SIFA serves more than 30,000 clients via its network of 34 offices worldwide and achieved nearly €400 million in revenue in 2023. This acquisition is part of SIFA's ongoing strengthening strategy, which has also recently acquired Alpha Transit, active in the Antilles, particularly in Saint Martin, and is targeting other acquisitions.

Founded in 1962, HESNAULT is a freight forwarder and customs broker that provides tailored solutions to importers and exporters for shipping their goods worldwide. Since its creation, the Group specialized in organizing freight transport to the Pacific region, including the territories of New Caledonia and French Polynesia, by opening offices in New Caledonia and Tahiti, before expanding to Réunion and Mayotte through Calédonie Transit, Tahiti Transit, Medexeno, Réunion Transit, and Transit Mahorais. To date, the Group has over 5,000 active clients served primarily by its three operational sites in Sandouville (10,000 m²), Le Havre (4,000 m²), and Roissy CDG (8,500 m²). With around 250 employees, it achieved approximately €150 million in revenue in 2023.

The complementarity of the networks strengthens SIFA's presence in the Pacific and Oceania regions. Overall, this new entity aims to become the facilitator of import/export flows for its clients, with global control of the value chain. With approximately 950 employees in its historical destinations, this new group is dedicated to supporting its clients, notably by enhancing the overall capacity for "Door to Door" services and pooling significant investments in logistics and IT. Additionally, the Group is significantly increasing its capabilities in Australia and New Zealand, with around fifty employees from AQUA AIR.

"I am very pleased that the HESNAULT Group will continue its history by joining the SIFA Group, both for the entire HESNAULT team and for our clients. This is the best choice. We share the same family values, the same entrepreneurial spirit, and the same vision of our businesses in each of our preferred destinations. A strong and powerful alliance that will benefit our clients,"said Philippe L. Hesnault, Chairman of Groupe HESNAULT.

"For this acquisition, I had a fairly clear vision of the type of actor that would allow us to continue developing the SIFA story, both by increasing capacities, the value chain, and by pooling certain resources. As a responsible actor in freight transport to overseas territories and internationally, we wanted to integrate a Group that extends our strengths through a shared set of values and complementary expertise. The HESNAULT family group perfectly matches this ambition, and the planned development plan will further strengthen our position in terms of services and geographic reach,", added Christophe de Reynal, Managing director of SIFA TRANSIT.