Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Acquires Blue Water Benefits, Inc.

ITASCA, Ill., April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) today announced the acquisition of Blue Water Benefits, Inc. located in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.  Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Established in 1980, Blue Water Benefits, Inc. (BWB) offers employee benefit consulting and insurance brokerage services, including life insurance and group benefits, for their middle-market clients in the Eastern United States.  They specialize in the design, implementation and administration of employee benefit programs.  Brandon Guest, Mark Combs and their associates will continue to operate in their current location under the direction of David Ziegler, Eastern Regional Executive Vice President of Gallagher's employee benefit consulting and brokerage operations.

"With over three decades of consulting and insurance industry experience, BWB is well-known for providing their clients with innovative, cost-effective benefit solutions and quality service," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO.  "Our newest acquisition partner will help increase our sales and service capabilities and expand our geographic presence in the Southeast.  They will be a wonderful complement to our employee benefits operation, and we are very pleased to welcome Brandon, Mark and their team to our growing Gallagher family of professionals."

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., an international insurance brokerage and risk management services firm, is headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, has operations in 16 countries and does business in more than 110 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.  

Contact:  Marsha Akin
Investor Relations/630-285-3501/[email protected]

SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.