Elior acquires Compass unit Bateman

Elior Group has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Bateman Community Living from Compass Group in a move that expands Elior's position in the senior nutrition market in the United States. Last year, it realized about a quarter of its revenues from senior dining operations.

Bateman operates exclusively in the delivered food market to seniors, transporting meals both to homes and congregate settings. It has approximately 200 clients, a staff of around 550 and generated sales of approximately $70 million in 2017.

The unit will be aligned alongside Elior North America's Valley Services brand, a leading provider of meals on wheels programs. The addition of Bateman will allow Elior North America to expand both its geographic reach and its capabilities in serving the nation's seniors through delivered meals and at congregate locations, the company said in the release announcing the deal.

"With a global increase in the number of seniors who are more demanding and more autonomous, this market shows definite growth potential, said Elior group CEO Philippe Guillemot in the same release. “The acquisition of Bateman reinforces our positions in the USA and in the seniors market, in line with Elior Group 2021 objectives.”

"Bateman currently serves complementary geographies to our senior nutrition brands with both nutritious meals and a customer service focus for this important customer group,” added Elior North America CEO Brian Poplin. “This was a good opportunity to join efforts and consolidate our leadership on this market. We look forward to welcoming them and combining the best of our innovation, technology and customer focus to bring even greater value to our customers.”

Elior North America's senior nutrition focus includes home-delivered meals and congregate nutrition services to the elderly through its Valley, Lindley, Sidekim and now Bateman brands. It also operates in the healthcare, education, corrections and business dining segments and posted revenues of $1.2 billion last year, which placed it at No. 5 on FM’s 2018 Top 50 Contract Management Companies listing.