Gallagher acquires Canadian firm

ITASCA - Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) today announced the acquisition of Vital Benefits Inc. in Calgary, Alberta.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 2006, Vital Benefits is an employee benefits insurance broker and consultant that offers employee benefits products and consulting services to corporate, professional and individual clients throughout Canada. They specialize in providing tailored benefit and retirement programs and services such as consulting and design, implementation, education, management, and program evaluation and assessment.

Melanie Jeannotte, Laura Barkley and their colleagues will continue to operate from their Calgary location under the direction of William Ziebell, Gallagher's Canadian employee benefit brokerage and consulting leader.

"Vital Benefits is a great example of what we look for in a merger partner. They have a sales and service culture that matches ours, and they are highly-regarded for their benefits expertise, and their ability to anticipate and provide benefit solutions for their clients' evolving business needs," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. "In addition, their Calgary presence and solid industry relationships will be a terrific complement to our growing employee benefits brokerage and consulting operation in Canada."