Unigrains Completes Mecatherm Acquisition
After obtaining the necessary regulatory authorizations, Unigrains, the agri-food and agro-industry investor has completed the acquisition of Mecatherm from Wendel.
Olivier Sergent, president of Mecatherm, said: “We are delighted to begin this new, ambitious development phase with Unigrains. This partnership will enable us to offer more added value, services, and support to our clients, thanks to the strategic and financial backing of our growth projects and via synergies with the French Grain Growers Association.”
Philippe Pinta, president of Unigrains, declared: “This strategic acquisition is part of our effort to gain a better understanding of the global bread-bakery-pastry market and, on the long term, will be fundamental to better meet the demand for grains. At the same time, Mecatherm’s know-how, international position, and corporate culture will give us a decisive boost to enrich our capital-investment activity.”
With sales of around EUR100m, 90% of which is outside France, Mecatherm designs, develops, assembles and installs ovens, machines, and automated production lines for fresh or frozen, cooked or pre-cooked breads, cakes, and pastries, all around the world.
This strategic acquisition reinforces Unigrains’ position in the grain industry value chain, constituting a new, strategic axis, complementary to its private equity activities and aimed at enhancing its expertise and know-how.
According to the company, the acquisition of Mecatherm will enable Unigrains to reinforce its international network, thanks to the experience acquired in nearly 70 countries and a presence in the USA, Mexico and Malaysia; to better understand the needs of global demand for bread products and better adapt, in synergy with the other entities of the French Grain Growers Association, the quality of its grains; and to become one of the leading promoters of French savoir-vivre around the world for high quality bread products.
Mecatherm will benefit from Unigrains’ unique sector knowledge, international network, and financial expertise, notably for external growth opportunities that the company hopes to seize to consolidate its future development.