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Photo: Bertrand Lozé, Directeur Général Restauration Concession France,
and Charles Amyot, Président de Roc France sign agreement.
The Elior Group has acquired ROC-France SAS, a subsidiary of Esso
S.A.F. that specialises in managing service stations located on
France's motorway and dual carriageway networks.
In accordance with the purchase agreement, Elior will
progressively become the operator of all Esso’s motorway service
stations – currently 62 in total. Through this transaction
Elior has strengthened its positions in the business lease market in
France and positioned itself as a leading motorway retail player.
In France Elior already operates 190 foodservice outlets and 67 shops
located in 70 motorway service areas. At the same time, the Group
is expanding both in the sub-concession sector and the business
lease market, in which it manages around forty sites with oil company
partners. Having gained a firm foothold in Spain, Italy, Belgium
and Luxembourg, the Group recently also entered
the German motorway catering market, where Tank & Rast has
entrusted it with the operation of 17 service areas located on
seven motorways. Elior also operates in the US market, where its
subsidiary Áreas won the contract to manage eight large motorway
service areas on Florida’s Turnpike, offering catering,
hospitality and retail services, as well as the sale of petrol.
Elior’s take-over of the management of Esso’s service stations will
happen in two phases. First, as from 1 December 2009, the Elior
Group will be responsible for directly managing 23 sites
currently managed by ROC-France on the French motorway network.
The transfer of the other service stations operated by
independent managers – currently amounting to 39 – will take place
gradually as from 1 January 2010. Under the new operating
structure, Esso S.A.F. will retain ownership of its assets, the Esso
brand and motorway concession contracts and the Elior Group will be
responsible for all operating aspects. Business generated from the
take-over is expected to represent annual revenue of around €60
million for Elior.
Commenting on the transaction, Robert Zolade, Chairman of Elior, said:
“This agreement represents an exceptional opportunity for Elior and
will help to bolster our position as the second largest motorway
service station operator in France. In addition, it demonstrates the
success of our strategy aimed at positioning ourselves as
full-service providers for users of motorway service
areas. We are proud to welcome on board ROC-France's staff, whose
recognised skills will further boost our own professionalism and
expertise.”
PetrolWorld 031209
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