Colliers International Expands Reach With Moroccan Acquisition

LONDON and CASABLANCA, Morocco, October 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Major investment adds AOS Group, a market leading commercial real estate and workplace consulting firm, with offices in Morocco, France, and five other markets  

Colliers International ("Colliers") has today announced that it has acquired a controlling interest in AOS Group ("AOS"), one of Europe's leading real estate and workplace consulting firms.

The acquisition provides Colliers with a significant new base of operations in Belgium and France and augments existing operations in Morocco, The Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK and Spain by providing Colliers clients with enhanced service offerings. AOS currently generates approximately US$100 million in annual revenues.

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Paris, France, AOS will immediately be rebranded as "Colliers International" throughout Morocco, France, and the five other markets in which it operates. AOS employs more than 300 real estate professionals, including 35 in Casablanca.

This acquisition will triple Colliers' team size to around 50 staff in Casablanca, and provide clients with access to a broader range of service lines.

"Morocco is a vital gateway to Africa and is an emerging market in terms of commercial real estate, therefore our expansion here presents exciting opportunities for us to reinforce our development in the Maghreb region and for our clients to have access to a broad range of services lines," said Managing Director Chakib Guessous. "Having been in Morocco since 2014, Colliers has gained significant insights on the Moroccan property market. We believe that the addition of AOS will be very positive and give both our clients and our people better access to the corporate business in Casablanca, where we opened a new office earlier this year."

"The addition of AOS takes us to the next level as we continue to grow and develop our business in Europe," said Chris McLernon, CEO of EMEA for Colliers International. "Furthermore, with the strength of our global platform and the Colliers brand, we fully expect to accelerate our clients' success through the future growth and diversification of our existing operations, including services such as property and asset management, property valuations and capital markets," he concluded.

So far in 2014, Colliers has made three strategic acquisitions in EMEA, including two in the UK and one in Hungary. It has hired more than 40 directors across Europe, focusing on expanding its transactional business as well as key business lines in major markets including the UK, Germany, Poland and Russia. The firm has also opened new offices in Georgia and Morocco.

Notes to Editors  

1. In EMEA Colliers International employs over 2,300 professionals operating out of more than 80 offices in 39 markets.
2. In 2013 its turnover in EMEA was €253.8 million.  

                    Colliers
                    International       Mozart

    Market          Number of People    Number of People TOTAL

                    Parted ways with
    France          affiliate Keops     200              200
                    Affiliate partner
    Belgium         10                  30                40
    Spain           20                  20                40
    The Netherlands 110                 35               145
    Switzerland     20                  10                30
    Morocco         15                  35                50
    UK              700                 15               715

About Colliers International  

Colliers International is a leading global commercial real estate services company in the world, with over 15,800 professionals operating out of more than 485 offices in 63 countries. A subsidiary of FirstService Corporation, it focuses on accelerating success for its clients by seamlessly providing a full range of services to real estate users, owners and investors worldwide, including global corporate solutions, brokerage, property and asset management, hotel investment sales and consulting, valuation, consulting and appraisal services, mortgage banking and research.

Colliers International opened in Morocco in 2014 and currently employs 15 members of staff in Casablanca. With The AOS Group, we will merge the two offices and offer a 50 person team led by Chakib Guessous, Managing Director of AOS Morocco.

About AOS Group  

AOS Group is a global independent real estate consulting, workplace consulting and project management company, with more than 600 clients in close to 30 countries. Combining a wealth of expertise and capabilities in real estate and workplace, AOS helps clients reduce occupancy costs and implement high performing flexible strategies.

By enhancing workplace design, functionality, cost effectiveness, and sustainability, AOS professionals assist with a full range of workplace solutions from concept to execution, ensuring clients secure the most appropriate real estate for their needs, while also transforming their workplace into a competitive advantage that improves employee productivity, collaboration, retention, and recruiting.

In 2013, group revenues reached approximately US$100 million for 450 employees globally.

Find out more on: http://www.aosgroup.com.

Charlotte Freeman
Colliers International
Direct +44(0)207-344-6931 | Mobile +44(0)7789744537