PAI Partners (PAI) has made a binding offer to acquire a majority stake in the ECF Group (ECF), a business-to-business distributor of equipment and consumables for hospitality and care professionals, from French private equity firm Naxicap Partners (Naxicap).
Under the proposed deal, Naxicap will remain a minority shareholder in the business alongside PAI and the management team.
Headquartered in Grigny, France, ECF’s partner- and private-label brands offer over 50,000 products sourced from more than 700 suppliers globally. The majority of sales comprise small equipment and consumables, as well as hygiene products, professional kitchen equipment, and furniture.
Today, ECF employs over 1,750 employees, operates 50 stores, and manages 40 logistics centres, with annual revenues of approximately €760 million.
With PAI’s support, ECF would look to further accelerate its growth, both organically and through acquisitions, in what is a highly fragmented market.
PAI Partners was advised by Rothschild & Co and Crédit Agricole, and Naxicap Partners was advised by Lazard.
