Case study - Vinci Construction France: Construction bonds as an alternative finance source

How we help Vinci Construction extend their sources of finance beyond banking partners

At a glance

Company:

Vinci Construction France

Trade sector:

Building and Public Works

Market:

France

Challenge:

Extend the sources of finance beyond banking partners.

Results:

Soliciting a credit insurer such as Atradius has made it possible to diversify Vinci's sources of finance, without affecting their credit and investment capacities with their bank.

How we made it happen:

Technical flexibility, responsiveness, and a capacity to innovate in order to meet the specific needs of Vinci Construction France.

Atradius has become a strong partner within the Vinci Construction France financial framework, competing on equal terms with our historic bond suppliers.

Tony Carron
Vinci Construction France

Vinci Construction France

We have been a partner to Vinci Construction France for more than four years. Tony Carron, Treasury Director, emphasises that a key benefit of this partnership is the flexibility we give back to their subsidiaries in the context of their day-to-day activities.

Aims

Strengthened by their collaboration with Atradius Bonding, which started more than four years ago, the group initially needed to expand their sources of finance beyond their banking partners.

Tony Carron, Treasury Director at VCF, explains: "Atradius has been present on the bonding market for many years, under the banner of various historical brands. After all, providing guarantees is the core business of an insurer. From 2006 onwards, tensions in financial markets were palpable, which prompted us to look for new funds beyond our banking partners to ease these tensions and provide the necessary flexibility for our subsidiaries."

Our role

As the leading private European company in bonding, our role is to offer our customers a flexibility which best responds to the demands and specificities of their sector.

As Tony Carron relates: "Substantial flexibility, excellent responsiveness and a capacity for innovation are the essential elements of our relationship with Atradius."

"Their capacity to adapt to our needs, but also their considerable experience in this type of surety convinced us to put in place an agreement covering a large part of our subsidiaries, in a dematerialised technical framework. Even here, Atradius Bonding has demonstrated excellent flexibility and professionalism, in order to offer the technical solutions which perfectly meet our expectations. This adaptability has been decisive in our partnership."
 

The results

Atradius' surety bonds for building and public works contracts have enabled the Vinci Construction France group to benefit from the advantages linked to expanding their sources of finance beyond their banking partners: "Once our insurer allows us to issue guarantees without being linked to a counterparty, as is the case with our banks, that gives our subsidiaries flexibility in their day-to-day activities: without guarantees, there is no contract!", explains Tony Carron.

Moreover, this financial aspect linked to Atradius' technical flexibility has ensured that the collaboration is a winning partnership: "The development of this new partnership has enabled us to open up new possibilities for all of our subsidiaries; I would describe our relationship as excellent, to the extent that Atradius is a key partner in our business operation, standing shoulder to shoulder with our traditional partners."

About Vinci Construction France

Leaders in France in the Buildings and Public Works sector, Vinci Construction France provides expertise to communities and economic actors in their capacity as engineering contractors, combining the design, finance, construction and maintenance of building or development projects.

Its highly concentrated network of 473 profit centres ensures that it provides excellent coverage across the country.

Disclaimer

The statements made herein are provided solely for general informational purposes and should not be relied upon for any purpose. Please refer to the actual policy or the relevant product or services agreement for the governing terms. Nothing herein should be construed to create any right, obligation, advice or responsibility on the part of Atradius, including any obligation to conduct due diligence of buyers or on your behalf. If Atradius does conduct due diligence on any buyer it is for its own underwriting purposes and not for the benefit of the insured or any other person. Additionally, in no event shall Atradius and its related, affiliated and subsidiary companies be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use of the statements made information herein.