ITASCA, Ill., Nov 19, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. today announced the acquisition of The HR Group, LLC in Brentwood, Tennessee. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Established in 1996, The HR Group is an employee benefits brokerage firm offering employee benefits products and services along with human resource management consulting and outsourced benefits administration services to their clients throughout the United States. Karen Saul and her associates will continue to operate in their current location under the direction of William Ziebell, North Central Regional Executive Vice President of Gallagher's employee benefit consulting and brokerage operations.

"Over the last decade, The HR Group has built a solid reputation for controlling their clients' employee benefits costs while maintaining a track record of profitable growth," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. "With their comprehensive suite of human resource consulting/employee benefits products and services and their results-driven culture, The HR Group will be an outstanding addition to our employee benefit brokerage operations. We are pleased to welcome Karen and her 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 14 countries and does business in more than 100 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants. Gallagher is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AJG.

SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

http://www.ajg.com