Cornet Vincent Segurel is supporting the launch of UNI5 Mobilité, the new regional leader in coach transport in the Hauts-de-France region

Autocars Douaisiens, Voyages Mullie and VM Garage, companies specialising in passenger transport in the Hauts-de-France region, were historically owned by separate shareholders. Recognising changes in the market, these shareholders decided to join forces to become a major player in the region’s transport sector and to establish UNI5 Mobilité.

In parallel with this transaction, the new entity further consolidated its position, with the shareholders also acquiring Transport Jules Benoit and ID Voyages.

The overall transaction was structured through two OBOs (Owner Buy-Outs), one FBO (Family Buy-Out) and two LBOs (Leveraged Buy-Outs), representing the simultaneous acquisition of five companies. This complex structure was supported by a mixed fundraising exercise, including a share issue and a bond issue, supplemented by structured bank financing.

The group is now led by Marion Raviart-Defontaine, Loïc Chevalier, Fabien Gringoire, Jean-François Cockenpot and Nicolas Wanecq, and supported by regional financial institutions: Crédit Agricole Nord de France, BNP Paribas, Société Générale and Bpifrance.

This transaction facilitates both the family handover of Autocars Douaisiens and the acceleration of the new group’s growth.

A multidisciplinary team from the law firm Cornet Vincent Ségurel, led by Benjamin Chevalier, a partner, advised the partners of UNI5 Mobilité on the legal and tax structuring of the transaction and its various acquisitions, as well as on the arrangement of financing.

This support exemplifies Cornet Vincent Ségurel’s vision in the Hauts-de-France region: supporting economic players in regional development, forming strategic partnerships in the development of its clients, and executing complex transactions through a multidisciplinary approach, technical excellence and the mobilisation of its network.

Parties involved

Purchasers: Marion Raviart-Defontaine, Loïc Chevalier, Fabien Gringoire, Jean-François Cockenpot, Nicolas Wanecq

Sellers:

• Autocars Douaisiens : Famille Defontaine
• Voyages Mullie : Loïc Chevalier, Fabien Gringoire
• VM Garage : Loïc Chevalier, Fabien Gringoire
• Transport Jules Benoit : Famille Leleu
• ID Voyages : Famille Inglart

Debt:

• BNP Paribas (Patrick Tanneguy, Medhi Pontier, Amaury Depuydt, Stéphanie Cathelain)
• Crédit Agricole Nord de France (Nicolas Bertincourt, Gauthier Beghin, Victor Dujardin, Audrey Rezenthel)
• Société Générale (Christian Leroy, Philippe Pohier, Emmanuel Leblanc)
• Bpifrance (Alice Lagleize, Ludivine Lecointe)

Advisors

Lawyer for the Buyers: Cornet Vincent Ségurel

• Due Diligence :
  • Coordination of Due Diligences : Marie Amourelle
  • Corporate: Marie Amourelle, Louis Harbonnier
  • Contract Law: Marion Raes, Clara Goldstrich
  • Employment Law: Caroline Henot, Régis Debroise, Eloïse Gras-Persyn
  • Public Law: David Pilorge, Charles Nesselrode
  • Tax Law: Nicolas Palos, Bennert Alderlieste

• Corporate M&A and PE: Benjamin Chevalier, Marie Amourelle, Clara Servan, Louis Harbonnier
• Structured Finance: Benjamin Chevalier, André Watbot, Clara Servan, Leia Rieutord, Robin Petit
• Tax: Nicolas Palos, Bennert Alderlieste

Banking Lawyers: Cards Avocats (Chucri Serhal, Méliné Torikian)
Lawyers for the sellers of Transport Jules Benoit : Actis Conseils (Alexandre Biette)
Lawyers for the sellers of ID Voyages : Me Jean-Damien Paraire