Arthur J. Gallagher acquires Winnipeg brokerage B.R. Rhymer Insurance Agencies

Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG) has announced the acquisition of B.R. Rhymer Insurance Agencies Ltd., a personal and commercial lines broker located on Pembina Highway in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

AJG, the international division of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. outside of the United States, announced the acquisition on Wednesday. The agreement will see the business, which has been operating under a franchise agreement since 1995, become wholly owned by Gallagher and part of insurance broker Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited, AJG said in a media release on Wednesday.

Post-acquisition, B.R. Rhymer will continue to service its customers from the Pembina Highway office where it has been located since 1992.

With a strong portfolio of clients, B.R. Rhymer brings complementary specialty in automotive and homeowners insurance to Gallagher’s existing Canadian operations, as well as expertise in providing personal insurance coverage, the release said. The latest merger is part of Gallagher’s “long-standing strategy of partnering with smaller, family-owned and entrepreneurial brokers to facilitate consistent and profitable growth across the territories in which the business operates.”

Kevin Neiles, president for the Prairies region at AJG, said that the company has enjoyed a “long and successful partnership with B.R. Rhymer and founder Blaine Rhymer for many years, so when the opportunity came up to acquire this business outright we jumped at the chance. Whilst we are sorry to see a great broker like Blaine retire from the market, we are delighted to be able to continue that heritage by bringing the team into the Gallagher family and building out the existing customer offering in the region.”

Ken Keenan, CEO of Arthur J. Gallagher Canada, added that “Blaine and the team have built a successful business with an exceptional reputation for customer service, as evidenced by their long-standing and loyal client base. They are committed to delivering a personal and professional service, something the Gallagher brand has been built on.”

B.R. Rhymer currently trades under the Ranger Insurance brand, which became part of AJG following the Noraxis acquisition in July 2014. Today, Ranger Insurance is Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited’s Prairie division and operates from six offices in Winnipeg and the surrounding areas.