Belgian group Verhelst takes a stake in Helfaut Travaux

A win-win partnership for Helfaut Travaux and Verhelst

The Belgian group Verhelst, which boasts 350 employees and a €110 million turnover, specialises in building, public works and roads. The group was looking to expand its geographical reach into France.

Hauts-de-France-based Helfaut Travaux, with 76 employees and a turnover of €14 million, was looking for a solid, recognised investor that shared its family DNA to continue its development.

The partnership will enable both companies to achieve their respective objectives of developing in the Hauts-de-France Region.

When the deal is done, Pascal Cochet will remain Helfaut Travaux’s chairman and a major shareholder and will participate in the Verhelst Group’s expansion in France.

A project made possible by Nord France Invest

As the economic promotion agency for the Hauts-de-France Region, Nord France Invest helps foreign investors set up and expand in the region. The agency has a dedicated acquisitions service.

Following initial contact from Verhelst in August 2020, Nord France Invest reached out to the companies in its regional network that met the group’s criteria.

Helfaut Travaux was identified through our partner bank, Banque Populaire du Nord, and was introduced to the Belgian group.

After a first meeting in November 2020 and some fruitful negotiations, the project was finally approved on 15 July 2021.

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