"By combining Tetris' expertise with the knowledge and experience of Jones Lang LaSalle, we aim to become the first-choice partner for third-party business projects in this field," says Group Tetris founder Franck Eburderie. JLL's CEO for France and Southern Europe calls the investment "a perfect match for our growth strategy." The chief executive, Benoit du Passage, reports that JLL now has nearly 400 employees in France after finalizing the Group Tetris agreement. The latest conquest, he says, "complements initiatives already under way in recruitment and the opening of offices in the Ile de France region, allowing us to reinforce our market share in our traditional activities and offer new services."

Affiliation with Group Tetris will allow JLL to support businesses throughout the entire life cycle of a real estate assignment, says Passage, with the firm being acquired particularly recognized for expertise in the design and implementation of office systems. Among the private corporations, public enterprises and institutional clients that Group Tetris represents are such entities as DCN, Dexia, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Gaz de France and Sanofi. Services provided range from location searches, space planning and build out budgeting and scheduling to interior architecture and implementation of the real estate program. JLL can fulfill a variety of roles, says Benoit du Passage, including main contractor, owners' representative and general contractor.

Already operating a vast and diverse global platform, JLL has become increasingly focused on the so-called EMEA block of Europe, the Middle East and Africa in the past two years. JLL's chief executive of EMEA, Alistair Hughes, notes that the firm has now made nine small- to medium-sized business acquisitions in 2007. "We continue to develop our service offering with a careful blend of organic growth and tactical purchases," he says of the quest. The firm was advised in the latest purchase by the Lovells law firm, while Thesis provided counsel to Group Tetris.