EUROPE – One Rock Capital Partners, a private equity firm, has announced plans to acquire Europe Snacks, a leading private-label manufacturer of savoury snacks.

The acquisition, expected to be completed in the coming months, will see One Rock Capital Partners take a majority stake in Europe Snacks.

Europe Snacks, known for its diverse range of products, including stacked chips, crisps and crackers, supplies major food retailers across Europe and is a co-manufacturing partner for several international brands.

The company operates seven production facilities in the UK, France and Spain, making it a key player in the region’s snack industry.

“Over the past three decades, Europe Snacks has grown to be a leader in the private label market across its key product categories and geographies,” said Kurt Beyer, partner at One Rock Capital Partners.

“We are excited to partner with the team to build upon their strong heritage and continue driving growth.”

The acquisition aligns with One Rock Capital Partners’ investment strategy, which focuses on identifying companies with significant growth and operational improvement potential.

Lukas Zeitlberger, Principal at One Rock, added, “Europe Snacks aligns well with our investment strategy of acquiring leading companies with potential for growth and improvement.

”We look forward to working closely with management to enhance the company’s operations and capitalise on new market opportunities.”

Étienne Lecomte, CEO of Europe Snacks, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are looking forward to joining forces with One Rock as we enter our next growth phase.

”One Rock’s Operating Partners bring decades of expertise in our core markets, and we will leverage their knowledge to bring even more innovation and value to our customers.”

The deal is supported by a robust financing structure, with debt financing provided by Barclays, Natixis, Rabobank, RBI, Santander and Goldman Sachs.

Spayne Lindsay & Co and Natixis Partners acted as M&A advisors, while Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal counsel for the transaction.

The acquisition comes at a time when the global snack market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing consumer demand for convenient and flavourful snack options.

Private label products have gained traction as retailers seek to offer competitive alternatives to branded items.

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