LA COMPAGNIE DES DESSERTS acquired by PAI PARTNERS

Carlsberg has completed the acquisition of 100% of Waterloo Brewing's shares, aiming to bolster its presence in the Canadian market, where the group had previously maintained a relatively limited footprint. The integration of Waterloo Brewing enables Carlsberg to tap into a complementary portfolio of local beers, ciders, and ready-to-drink beverages, while leveraging strong regional brand recognition and an existing industrial infrastructure. The transaction also generates significant industrial and commercial synergies

The acquisition of Royal Buisman by Nactarome is a strategic move to drive long-term growth, aimed at solidifying Nactarome's position in the natural ingredients market for the food and beverage industry. As a specialist in natural caramel ingredients, Royal Buisman brings a complementary offering to Nactarome's portfolio, with a range of products that cater to customers' needs in terms of flavor, color, and texture. This transaction enables Nactarome to expand its geographic footprint, particularly in Europe, and strengthen its network of key clients, with an increased presence in five new countries

Routin-1883 acquired 100% of Cappuccine to accelerate its footprint in the North American market, the world's largest for coffee shops and mixology. This acquisition marks Routin's third external growth operation since Apax's entry in 2019 (following Eyguebelle and Artonic). The deal was financed through a mix of equity and debt (LCL, Credit Agricole). By integrating Cappuccine's powdered mix expertise, Routin diversifies its product portfolio to offer a complete "one-stop-shop" solution for coffee chains and the Foodservice industry globally

Lucas Bols completed the acquisition of 100% of Fluère to strategically enter the rapidly growing non-alcoholic spirits market. This "bolt-on" acquisition allows Lucas Bols to capitalize on the "mindful drinking" trend, providing a sophisticated alcohol-free alternative to its global client base of professional bartenders and distributors. The transaction was structured to facilitate a seamless transition and integration, finalized by April 2023. By bringing Fluère into its portfolio, Lucas Bols can leverage its existing global distribution power and century-old expertise in flavor distillation to scale the brand internationally

Brown‑Forman Corporation has completed the acquisition of the Diplomático Rum brand and its associated corporate assets from Destillers United Group S.L.. The transaction structure transfers full brand ownership alongside a dedicated aging, bottling, and shipping production facility located in Panama. As part of the closing integration, the purchasing group integrates more than 100 employees into its global corporate workforce. Under the terms of the agreement, Destillers United Group S.L. will retain manufacturing operations, continuing to produce and age the rum line at its original distillery located at the foot of the Andes mountains

Kerry Group entered into exclusive negotiations to divest its Sweet Ingredients Portfolio to IRCA, a portfolio company of the global private equity firm Advent International. This transaction represents a strategic move for Kerry Group to refine and enhance its core Taste & Nutrition business. By divesting the sweet ingredients assets, Kerry aims to sharpen its focus on higher-value and more strategic areas of its portfolio, aligning its resources with segments where it can generate the most significant value

Refresco has completed the acquisition of Avandis, a Dutch manufacturer of alcoholic beverages, from Lucas Bols and De Kuyper Royal Distillers, two leading players in the spirits and cocktail industry. The transaction was finalized in January 2023, following the signing of the initial agreement in October 2022 and the receipt of regulatory approvals. Avandis is a contract manufacturer specializing in the production of alcoholic beverages, headquartered in Zoetermeer, Netherlands. The company provides manufacturing solutions for spirits and cocktail brands, with a strong expertise in complex products and private-label productions

Newlat Food has completed the acquisition of EM Foods and its manufacturing facility in Ludres from the German food company Dr. Oetker. This transaction marks Newlat's strategic entry into the baking mixes and dessert category, further diversifying its product offering. Crucially, the deal is underpinned by a significant long-term co-packing agreement with Unilever. Under this partnership, Newlat will become the exclusive supplier for a range of baking mixes under Unilever's iconic brands such as Carte d'Or, Mondamin, and Maizena

Italian Wine Brands has completed the acquisition of 100% of Barbanera S.r.l. and Fossalto S.r.l. from the Barbanera family. This transaction marks a significant milestone in the buyer's consolidation strategy in the Italian wine market. The deal substantially strengthens Italian Wine Brands' portfolio of brands and its presence in the Tuscan and premium wine segments. By integrating Barbanera, the group gains a complementary commercial platform, an established international customer base, and recognized expertise in developing high-value-added wines

Campari Group has entered into an agreement to acquire a 70% stake in Wilderness Trail Distillery, with a mechanism in place to acquire the remaining 30% in 2031 through a cross-option arrangement between the parties. Beyond the transaction's structure, this acquisition is a strategic move by Campari to establish bourbon as its second growth driver, alongside its historic business in apéritifs. The group aims to strengthen its presence in a high-growth category in the US, driven by premiumization and the rise of high-end and super-premium bourbons