January 23rd, 2025
AXA Partners announces today that it has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire EBTS, a group of service companies specialized in Truck, Trailer and Tyre assistance, to accelerate the growth of its Truck Assistance International division.
The new enlarged strategic division would become the Leader in Assistance for the European Truck, Trailer, and Truck Tyre sector, offering enhanced insurance solutions and assistance services for road transport equipment and drivers.
Through the acquisition of 100% of EBTS Pro Assist shares, AXA Partners would reinforce the expertise, capabilities, and geographical footprint of its specialized Truck Assistance International division (AXA TAI) across Europe, leveraging EBTS’ strengths and resources to accelerate its strategic development.
The completion of the transaction is subject to the information and consultation of employee representative bodies, followed by the signing of the Share Purchase Agreement, and is expected to be finalized during first half-year of 2025.
This operation is expected to consolidate AXA Partners’ leadership position across all market segments of the truck assistance sector (tractor units, trailers, tyres, components, and drivers). AXA Partners and EBTS would combine their insurance and service-based offerings with an increased capacity for innovation and digitalization; this would bring in new mobility solutions to meet customers’ evolving needs.
AXA Partners, a 100% subsidiary of the AXA Group, is one of the global Leaders in Assistance, Credit & Lifestyle Protection, and Travel Insurance. AXA Partners created AXA TAI in 1997, providing specialized insurance and assistance solutions for the road transport industry, to protect commercial assets as well as drivers from a wide range of occupational hazards. Structured and licensed to operate both in insurance and service, this division has been developing solutions and expanding its operations for more than 25 years to better meet the evolving needs of the market. AXA TAI’s 250 employees operate from four sites in France, Spain, Morocco, and Germany and eight complementary contact centres across Europe. With estimated revenues of €93 million in 2024, AXA Partners is today the European Truck Insurance & Assistance market leader.
EBTS is a group of service companies specialized in Truck, Trailer & Tyre assistance, headquartered in Hasselt, Belgium. Founded in 1994 as part of the de Condé Group (tyre distribution), EBTS has been independent from the tire distribution company since 2013. In addition to the Belgian parent company EBTS Pro Assist NV, the group provides services via its subsidiaries and affiliates located in France, Germany, Spain, Poland, Macedonia, and Moldova. The Group has around 200 employees.
Through its service model, EBTS operates in major sectors: manufacturers and distributors of tyres, all sorts of components, and trailer equipment, and vehicle leasing and rental companies for the road haulage sector. With consolidated revenues of approximatively 57 million euros in 2024, EBTS is today one of the biggest European Truck, Trailer & Tyre players.
This acquisition project is fully aligned with AXA Partners’ strategy which aims to ensure the sustainable growth of its businesses. AXA Partners is hence committed to pursue its Truck Assistance business growth by ensuring seamless continuity for its partners. By leveraging its complementarity with EBTS portfolios, distribution models, geographical footprint, and product offerings on the European market, AXA Partners would consolidate its leadership position.
Upon completion of the transaction, Julien Bourdonnec, Director of AXA TAI in AXA Partners, would become Director of the combined activities. Frank Van Parijs, current CEO of EBTS, would support Julien on a consulting basis for the first-year post-acquisition.
This acquisition project is a significative milestone for AXA Partners. It aligns perfectly with our strategic plan and our ambitions for growth. Most importantly, it is driven by a strong vision for the future: build a sustainable and competitive market leader in the European Truck, Trailer & Truck tyre sector, leveraging the best of both players to facilitate mobility and protect drivers through innovative insurance & assistance solutions and services.
The complementarity between the two entities is remarkable, encompassing market segmentation, geographical presence, and technological perspectives. Our combined expertise would enable us to better serve our customers by minimizing downtime and enhancing data throughout and after their assistance journey.
With this agreement, we aim at combining forces and enhancing our resources to advance our proactive approach in serving the transport industry in this rapidly changing environment. Furthermore, we would broaden our service offerings by introducing comprehensive insurance products. Customers have always been one of our main sources of inspiration, we are proud of what we have achieved with our staff for our customers, and we would be delighted to be continuing this journey as part of the AXA family.
The completion of the transaction is subject to the information and consultation of employee representative bodies, followed by the signing of the Share Purchase Agreement, and is expected to be finalized during the first half-year of 2025.
AXA Partners enters into exclusive negotiations to acquire EBTS
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