IK to acquire Mademoiselle Desserts in France

Pan-European private equity firm IK Investment Partners (IK) has revealed that IK VIII Fund (the Fund) has entered into negotiations with Equistone Partners Europe (Equistone), Céréa Partenaire, Azulis Capital and the management team to acquire a majority stake in French bakery food products producer Mademoiselle Desserts.

Additionally, the management team has agreed to reinvest alongside the Fund.

Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed by the companies, and the closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory, as well as employee representative’s approval.

Founded in 1984, Mademoiselle Desserts manufactures frozen industrial finished and semi-finished pastry in Europe.

In addition to French manufacturing sites, Mademoiselle Desserts also owns production facilities in the UK and the Netherlands.

Mademoiselle Desserts CEO Didier Boudy said: “IK’s unrivalled experience investing in European food businesses makes them an ideal partner.

“With their support, Mademoiselle Desserts will be well-positioned to capture market share and continue its active build-up strategy, for which we were actively backed by Equistone over these last years.”

It would be the second acquisition in France for the Fund within a span of one month and the deal also reaffirms IK’s expertise in the food sector.

IK partner Rémi Buttiaux said: “This investment opportunity fits perfectly into IK’s investment strategy. We are impressed by the Group’s development in the UK, France and the Netherlands.

“Together with the management team, we will strive to broaden the product portfolio via targeted acquisition opportunities.”