Haudecoeur, backed by Ergon Capital Partners and the founding family, completed the acquisition of Palais Impérial from its founders, Nicolas Pacheny and Arnaud Gillier, who reinvest alongside existing shareholders. The transaction represents a strategic bolt-on acquisition executed within the framework of Haudecoeur’s ongoing buy-and-build strategy following its primary LBO completed one year earlier. Structured as a majority investment at the group level, the deal leverages existing acquisition financing lines to support external growth initiatives. From a strategic standpoint, the transaction enables Haudecoeur to internalize a product category where it previously relied on partner brands, notably in tea. By integrating Palais Impérial, the group strengthens its branded offering and gains direct exposure to the green tea segment, where the target holds a leading position in France. The combination enhances cross-selling opportunities and broadens the product portfolio, reinforcing the group’s value proposition toward both retail and distribution partners. Additionally, the deal aligns with a broader sector consolidation trend in specialty and ethnic food segments, where scale, brand ownership, and sourcing capabilities are key differentiators.

PALAIS IMPÉRIAL, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2019, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, a level to compare with the average currently observed in the AgriFood sector (10.3x).

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