CREED CATERING SUPPLIES acquired by KITWAVE GROUP

The take-private acquisition of Kitwave Group by One Equity Partners signifies a definitive shift toward industrialized scaling in the UK food and beverage wholesale sector. The strategic logic of this transaction hinges on a "logistical-consolidation" maneuver, merging the target’s extensive regional reach and multi-category product depth with the acquirer’s proven expertise in executing complex buy-and-build cycles. This structural alignment provides the organization with the institutional capital and strategic hardware necessary to aggressively pursue acquisitions in a market defined by high fragmentation.

Groupe Bruneau continues its external growth strategy by acquiring OfficeEasy, a specialist in IT and telecom solutions. This acquisition allows Bruneau to significantly diversify its product offering beyond traditional office supplies into high-growth technical categories like videoconferencing and professional telephony. OfficeEasy will not be merged operationally but will join the group as an independent entity to preserve its agility. The deal aims to leverage cross-selling opportunities across Bruneau's vast SME client base while reinforcing its position as a one-stop-shop for the modern workplace.

SPAR Group, Inc. agreed to be acquired by Highwire Capital in an all‑cash transaction structured as a take‑private merger, with Highwire relying on committed debt financing to support the transaction and with SPAR Group’s board and stockholders approving the arrangement before a scheduled closing in the fourth quarter of 2024. The strategic rationale centers on SPAR Group’s position as a large‑scale, technology‑enabled merchandising and in‑store execution platform. For Highwire, the asset offers a stable, recurring revenue base linked to retail and consumer brands, alongside opportunities to embed additional technology and analytics capabilities across its field operations. The sponsor’s thesis likely hinges on driving operational efficiency, improving data‑driven performance, and selectively expanding the service portfolio while maintaining client stickiness and contract depth.

Integrating Total Foodservice Solutions into the Kitwave Group infrastructure secures a dominant logistical foothold across the North West and Yorkshire catering landscapes. This maneuver specifically eliminates the geographic fragmentation between existing northern depots, establishing a contiguous service network for the region's high-stakes institutional clients. By unifying these high-heritage assets, the group achieves an immediate expansion of its multi-temperature product range, significantly bolstering its capacity to manage comprehensive supply contracts for schools and healthcare facilities.

Johan i Hallen & Bergfalk (JHB) is a Nordic fresh protein distribution and processing platform serving the HoReCa sector, further strengthening its Food Service Distribution (FSD) capabilities through the acquisition of Fisk Idag, a Gothenburg-based seafood specialist. Since its integration into METRO AG in May 2023, JHB has operated as a regional consolidation infrastructure across Sweden and Finland, combining specialised distribution, integrated processing capabilities and a logistics footprint covering key Nordic metropolitan areas. The acquisition of Fisk Idag reflects a targeted deepening of high-expertise categories, particularly fish and seafood, while reinforcing operational density in Western Sweden. The transaction enhances access to local fisheries sourcing networks, increases product assortment depth and adds incremental processing capacity within the group’s integrated value chain. Beyond geographic and category expansion, the deal supports a broader strategy of upgrading service levels to HoReCa customers through more specialised distribution solutions and improved proximity in key regional markets. It contributes to the development of a fully integrated Northern European foodservice platform, designed to address market fragmentation through a combination of local expertise, industrial integration and scale efficiencies.

METRO AG expanded its European foodservice distribution platform through the acquisition of Johan i Hallen & Bergfalk (JHB) from Litorina. JHB is a leading Nordic supplier of fresh meat, fish and seafood products to the HoReCa sector, holding a strong position across Sweden and Finland. The acquisition provides METRO with an immediate entry into the Swedish and Finnish foodservice markets while strengthening its expertise in fresh protein categories. JHB contributes a well-established regional platform, long-standing customer relationships and differentiated processing capabilities. The transaction supports METRO’s strategy to expand its Food Service Distribution business, broaden its Northern European footprint and increase exposure to recurring demand from professional hospitality customers. JHB will continue to operate under its existing brand while benefiting from METRO’s international sourcing capabilities and foodservice distribution network.

PAI Partners acquired a majority stake in ECF Group, valuing the company between EUR800M and EUR850M. Naxicap Partners, the previous majority owner, reinvested as a minority shareholder. The transaction aims to support ECF's dynamic "buy-and-build" strategy (30 acquisitions in 5 years) and its expansion into new segments like fast food and hygiene services.

WestCountry Food Holdings has been acquired by Kitwave marking a critical diversification of the group's product suite into the fresh produce category. This strategic acquisition complements the previous operation of M. J. Baker, creating a dense, multi-temperature service hub in the South West of England. By unifying the target’s high-heritage grower network with the group's national logistics framework, the organization constructs a comprehensive "one-stop-shop" platform for regional foodservice clients. The integration leverages the target's regional density to maximize route efficiency and procurement leverage across the South West.

Barentz acquired 100% of Unipex from its management team and BNP Paribas Developpement (who held ~27%). This transaction marks the successful conclusion of the OBO structure set up in 2019. The deal was negotiated bilaterally (pre-empting a broader auction). Unipex brings EUR90 million in additional revenue and strengthens Barentz's position in France and North Africa, where the Dutch group was historically underrepresented.

Integrating M.J. Baker into the Kitwave Group infrastructure secures a decisive logistical foothold in the Devon and Somerset landscapes. This strategic maneuver establishes a complementary service offering that effectively removes the category friction for South West independent customers seeking a unified temperature-controlled supply chain. By unifying the target’s technical operational depth in the West Country with the group’s national delivery framework, the organization constructs a comprehensive multi-category platform optimized for high-frequency fulfillment in seasonal leisure markets.