ADIAL acquired by CREDIT MUTUEL EQUITY

Groupe Chevrillon acquired a majority stake in Arcado, taking control of the French charcuterie group from its previous financial sponsors, including MBO & Co and Amundi PEF, while the founding Paget family retained a minority interest. The transaction was structured as a change of control in the mass‑market, IGP‑labelled sausage business, with managers reinvesting a portion of their proceeds to maintain alignment. The strategic rationale is anchored in Arcado’s position as a leading producer of premium IGP Charcuterie in the Franche‑Comté region, with a large share of the Morteau and Montbéliard sausage markets and a strong presence in large‑format retail. For Chevrillon, the platform offers a branded, label‑driven consumer‑facing asset in a resilient food category, with optionality for further external growth through bolt‑on acquisitions of other regional charcutiers or delicatessen producers holding IGP or other quality labels. The previous owners had already consolidated several regional players, including Clavière and Chambade, creating a consolidated, geographically coherent product portfolio that can serve as a basis for additional value creation. The strategic rationale is anchored in Arcado’s position as a leading producer of premium IGP Charcuterie in the Franche‑Comté region, with a large share of the Morteau and Montbéliard sausage markets and a strong presence in large‑format retail. For Chevrillon, the platform offers a branded, label‑driven consumer‑facing asset in a resilient food category, with optionality for further external growth through bolt‑on acquisitions of other regional charcutiers or delicatessen producers holding IGP or other quality labels. 

The acquisition of Boncolac and Mag'M by Waterland is a strategic move to create a leading player in the French frozen pastry market. The deal brings together two complementary companies, Boncolac and Mag'M, which will operate under a new holding company - renamed later ONORE. The combined entity will benefit from synergies in production, distribution, and marketing, enabling it to increase its market share and expand its product offerings. The acquisition is also expected to facilitate Boncolac's international expansion plans, particularly in Asia, Europe, and the United States, where Mag'M has an established client base. Waterland's investment will provide the necessary financial support to drive growth and expansion, while the firm's expertise in the food sector will help the combined entity navigate the challenges of the market. The deal is also supported by a banking syndicate, including Arkéa, Crédit Agricole, and LCL, which will provide the necessary debt financing to complete the transaction.

Advent International has acquired IRCA in a secondary buyout from The Carlyle Group, marking a significant transaction in the European food ingredients sector. Carlyle, which acquired a majority stake in 2017 and later increased its ownership, successfully executed a value creation strategy focused on internationalization and strategic acquisitions. During its ownership, Carlyle transformed IRCA from a primarily domestic Italian player into a leading European manufacturer with a growing presence in the United States. This was achieved through organic growth, investment in product innovation, and the key acquisition of Dobla, which expanded IRCA's product portfolio and global footprint. The transaction demonstrates the continued appetite of private equity for high-quality, resilient assets with strong market positions. Advent identified IRCA as a leader in a structurally growing and fragmented market. Advent's investment thesis is centered on continuing this growth trajectory by leveraging IRCA as a platform for further consolidation through meaningful acquisitions. The firm plans to partner with IRCA's existing management team to scale the business globally, expand into adjacent high-value product categories, and further penetrate key international markets. This deal underscores investor confidence in the B2B food ingredients space, which benefits from strong pricing power and consistent demand from professional end-markets.

Groupe Alliance acquired 100% of the equity in Berni from the owner family and its historical financial partner, Credit Mutuel Equity. The deal resolves a succession issue, as there was no third generation of the family to take over. Credit Mutuel Equity had backed the company since the late 1980s through three successive buyouts (1997, 2003, 2008). This acquisition allows Groupe Alliance to diversify its product portfolio into value-added cured meats.

Hilton Food Group plc completed the acquisition of Dutch Seafood Company B.V. from H2 Equity Partners B.V., securing full ownership of the smoked salmon specialist. Rationale centers on diversifying Hilton's protein portfolio into high-growth seafood, leveraging Foppen's leadership in U.S. smoked specialties (61% sales) and Dutch retail via Costco and Albert Heijn. Complementary footprints enable cross-selling, new customer wins, and U.S. market entry, aligning with smoked salmon demand surges (29% U.S. grocery growth, 11% Dutch) while bolstering specialty offerings like toast salmon. Post-deal focus targets earnings accretion within 12 months, net leverage below 2.0x, and regulatory clearances secured from Dutch authorities.

KKR acquired a majority stake in Refresco from PAI Partners and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI). This transaction marks the exit of PAI and BCI after a highly successful four-year holding period, during which the group's enterprise value nearly doubled. Under PAI's ownership, Refresco completed significant acquisitions, including Cott's bottling activities and various regional players, solidifying its position as a global leader.

Monster Beverage Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective LLC for a total cash consideration. This acquisition represents a landmark strategic pivot for Monster, serving as its primary entry point into the alcoholic beverage sector. The transaction includes CANarchy’s full industrial infrastructure, alcoholic beverage licenses, and a dedicated management team with deep expertise in malt-based product development and manufacturing. A key element of the deal structure is the independence of CANarchy’s organizational structure, which will continue to function separately from Monster’s core energy drink business. The strategic rationale for the merger is to capitalize on the convergence between energy drinks and hard seltzers, providing Monster with a turnkey platform to develop and launch "cross-over" alcoholic products. By integrating CANarchy’s craft expertise with Monster’s global brand power, the combined entity aims to meet the evolving needs of consumers seeking innovative alcoholic flavors. Notably, the transaction excludes CANarchy’s stand-alone restaurants, focusing strictly on the scalable production and distribution assets of the collective.

Benson Hill has acquired the assets of ZFS Creston, LLC from Zeeland Farm Services. This strategic acquisition provides Benson Hill with immediate industrial capacity to process its proprietary "Ultra-High Protein" soybeans into value-added ingredients (soy flour, white flake) for the human and pet food markets. By acquiring an existing operational facility rather than building a new one (Greenfield), Benson Hill accelerates its speed to market and secures a scalable supply chain for its "clean label" ingredients. The transaction was financed through a new $100 million debt facility led by Avenue Capital Group and $5 million in seller financing.

In December 2022, Huel closed a $24M funding round led by Highland Europe, with participation from actor Idris Elba, TV presenter Jonathan Ross, and TALA CEO Grace Beverley. At the time of the round, Huel reported $170M in annual revenue, representing 40% year-over-year growth, driven by the successful launch of its hot meal range and a strategic transition from direct-to-consumer to omnichannel retail distribution. The round was designed to accelerate Huel's expansion in the United States, its second-largest market after the UK, as well as Germany and Japan. The funding also supported new product innovation and the development of Huel's low-carbon, plant-based nutritionally complete food range.

Lucas Bols entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of Tequila Partida LLC, including its Mexican subsidiaries Casa Partida and Tequila Partida de Mexico, from the Shansby Trust and Edrington USA. This acquisition is a strategic move to integrate one of the fastest-growing spirits categories into the Lucas Bols portfolio, specifically targeting the high-growth ultra-premium tequila segment in the United States. Tequila is a fundamental ingredient in the Margarita, the most popular cocktail in the US, making this acquisition a seamless fit for Lucas Bols’ global cocktail-led growth strategy. By taking over the brand, Lucas Bols intends to leverage its existing US distribution platform to accelerate sales beyond pre-pandemic levels. The transition includes the acquisition of all intellectual property, trademarks, and inventory, while maintaining the local production team in Mexico to ensure the preservation of the brand's artisanal quality and handcrafted heritage.