Via Location SA Bundle
Who Owns Via Location SA?
Understanding corporate ownership is key to grasping a company's strategy and market standing. Via Location SA, a French firm focused on long-term industrial and commercial vehicle rentals, became part of the Fraikin Group in October 2020.
This acquisition marked a significant shift for Via Location SA, which has a long history of providing flexible transport solutions without the need for fleet ownership. The company's operations, including fleet management and maintenance, are now integrated within a larger European leader.
Who owns Via Location SA?
Via Location SA, a French company specializing in the long-term rental of industrial and commercial vehicles, was acquired by Fraikin, a European leader in the sector, in October 2020. Founded in 1906, Via Location SA, originally established to provide flexible and comprehensive transport solutions without clients needing to own their fleet, has evolved from an independent entity to a key subsidiary. Headquartered in Paris, France, with legal information also listing Colombes, the company's vision has consistently centered on offering a range of services including fleet management, vehicle maintenance, and customized vehicle solutions for various industries. With approximately 600 employees as of 2025, Via Location SA holds a notable position in the French industrial vehicle rental market, having been recognized as the challenging number three in its sector prior to the acquisition. This exploration will delve into the company's ownership evolution, tracing its path from its early, less publicly documented beginnings through significant private equity investments, culminating in its current status as part of the Fraikin Group. A Via Location SA PESTEL Analysis can provide further context on its market environment.
Who Founded Via Location SA?
Via Location SA was established in 1906, marking over a century of operation in the industrial and commercial vehicle rental sector. Due to its long history and predominantly private status, specific details about its original founders, their backgrounds, and initial equity distribution are not widely documented. Early investment sources and initial stakeholders from its formative decades are also not extensively publicized, with public records tending to focus on more recent ownership shifts.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Establishment Year | 1906 |
| Primary Business | Industrial and commercial vehicle rental |
| Initial Ownership Data Availability | Limited public records |
| Focus of Public Records | Recent institutional ownership changes |
The company's foundational vision centered on providing long-term vehicle rental solutions. This aimed to offer clients a viable alternative to the complexities and costs of direct fleet ownership.
Information regarding early backers, angel investors, or initial friends and family who acquired stakes in the company's early years is not readily available in public disclosures.
Via Location SA has largely operated as a privately held entity throughout much of its existence. This status contributes to the limited public availability of detailed historical ownership information.
Established in 1906, Via Location SA possesses a significant historical footprint in the vehicle rental market. This longevity means ownership structures may have evolved considerably over time.
The company's core business model was established to address the need for flexible and comprehensive vehicle rental services. This included associated services to support clients' operational requirements.
A key element of the initial strategy was to focus on long-term rental agreements. This provided clients with predictable costs and consistent access to necessary vehicles.
The founding team's initial vision for Via Location SA was to provide a robust alternative to direct fleet ownership by offering long-term vehicle rental solutions and associated services. This strategic approach aimed to meet the evolving needs of industrial and commercial clients. Understanding the Growth Strategy of Via Location SA provides further context on how its operations and ownership may have developed since its inception in 1906.
While specific founder identities and initial equity splits remain undisclosed, the company's early operational focus was clear. Its long-standing presence underscores a sustained business model.
- Established in 1906
- Operated primarily as a privately held entity
- Focused on long-term vehicle rental solutions
- Offered associated services to clients
- Provided an alternative to direct fleet ownership
- Limited public information on early stakeholders
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How Has Via Location SA’s Ownership Changed Over Time?
The ownership of Via Location SA has seen significant shifts, largely influenced by private equity transactions and strategic acquisitions. A pivotal moment occurred in June 2013 when Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) assumed complete ownership, consolidating the company under institutional management.
| Date | Event | Key Stakeholders Involved |
|---|---|---|
| June 2013 | Full ownership acquired | Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) |
| February 2017 | Divestment of entire stake | Davidson Kempner (American fund) and Triton Partners |
| October 2020 | Acquisition finalized | Fraikin (European vehicle rental leader) |
In February 2017, ICG sold its entire stake to Davidson Kempner, an American fund, and Triton Partners. These new Via Location SA stakeholders committed to continuing the growth strategy. The most significant change in Via Location SA ownership happened in October 2020 when Fraikin, a major European player in commercial vehicle rental, completed its acquisition. This move integrated Via Location SA into the Fraikin Group, which, post-merger, achieved a combined annual turnover close to €1 billion. As of 2024, Via Location SA operates as a Société par actions simplifiée (SAS) with a share capital of €39,715,002. Consequently, Fraikin is the current major stakeholder, itself backed by private equity firms, reflecting a continuing trend of institutional backing in the sector.
Via Location SA's ownership has evolved through key private equity investments and strategic acquisitions. Understanding these transitions is crucial for grasping the current Via Location SA company structure.
- June 2013: ICG acquired full ownership.
- February 2017: Ownership transferred to Davidson Kempner and Triton Partners.
- October 2020: Fraikin finalized its acquisition, becoming the Via Location SA parent company.
- 2024: Via Location SA operates as an SAS with a capital of €39,715,002, under Fraikin's majority control.
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Who Sits on Via Location SA’s Board?
As a subsidiary of the Fraikin Group since October 2020, Via Location SA's governance is integrated within its parent company. Specific details regarding Via Location SA's independent board of directors or their representation of major shareholders are not publicly disclosed. The operational leadership, however, remains a key indicator of its internal structure and direction.
| Position | Name | Appointment Date |
|---|---|---|
| General Director | Sabry CHIHI | March 15, 2022 |
| Previous General Director | Laurent Garnier | Post-Fraikin acquisition |
The leadership transition with Sabry CHIHI's appointment as General Director on March 15, 2022, succeeding Laurent Garnier, highlights internal management shifts within Via Location SA following its acquisition by the Fraikin Group. Information concerning specific voting structures, such as dual-class shares or special voting rights, for Via Location SA as a subsidiary is not publicly available. These details are typically managed at the parent company level for privately held groups like Fraikin. There have been no publicly reported governance controversies or activist investor campaigns specifically targeting Via Location SA, which is likely attributable to its integration into the larger Fraikin entity, simplifying its corporate ownership structure.
Via Location SA operates as a subsidiary, meaning its ultimate beneficial owner is its parent company. This structure influences how decisions are made and how voting power is exercised.
- Via Location SA is a subsidiary of the Fraikin Group.
- Specific voting power details for the subsidiary are not publicly disclosed.
- Leadership changes reflect the integration into the parent company's strategy.
- Understanding the Mission, Vision & Core Values of Via Location SA can provide insight into its operational direction.
- The absence of public governance disputes suggests a stable ownership framework.
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What Recent Changes Have Shaped Via Location SA’s Ownership Landscape?
The ownership landscape of Via Location SA has seen a significant shift over the past few years, culminating in its complete integration into the Fraikin Group. This strategic acquisition, finalized in October 2020, has reshaped its position within the European industrial vehicle rental sector.
| Event | Date | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Acquisition by Fraikin Group | October 2020 | Full integration into Fraikin Group |
| Leadership Change | March 2022 | Sabry CHIHI appointed General Director |
The full integration of Via Location SA into the Fraikin Group, completed in October 2020, represents a pivotal moment in its corporate history and a key development in the European industrial vehicle rental market. This consolidation aimed to bolster Fraikin's standing as a dominant force in the industry. Such moves are characteristic of broader market trends where larger entities absorb specialized companies to broaden their service portfolios, extend their geographical footprint, and enhance their overall market share. Following this acquisition, a notable leadership transition occurred in March 2022, with Sabry CHIHI assuming the role of General Director, succeeding Laurent Garnier. This internal management adjustment underscores the ongoing process of integration and strategic alignment within the Fraikin organizational structure. While specific financial data for Via Location SA as an independent entity is no longer publicly disclosed post-acquisition, the combined turnover of Fraikin and Via Location was anticipated to approach €1 billion. There have been no official announcements from the company or market analysts regarding future ownership changes or plans for privatization or a public listing for Via Location SA, given its established status as a subsidiary of the privately held Fraikin Group. This makes the Fraikin Group the ultimate beneficial owner of Via Location SA.
Via Location SA is now fully integrated into the Fraikin Group. This acquisition solidified Fraikin's market position.
Sabry CHIHI became the General Director of Via Location in March 2022. He succeeded Laurent Garnier in this role.
The integration of Via Location SA into Fraikin reflects a wider industry trend of consolidation. Larger companies are acquiring specialized firms to expand their reach and offerings.
The combined entity of Fraikin and Via Location was projected to achieve a turnover nearing €1 billion. Specific figures for Via Location SA are not separately reported.
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