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Paris, 2nd September 2010 - download as PDF here
United Coffee announces the purchase of Cafés Pivard
September 2nd, 2010 - United Coffee, one of Europe's largest independent coffee companies, today announces the purchase of the French coffee group Cafés Pivard. The deal is the first major acquisition for United Coffee since the appointment of CEO Per Harkjaer last August and follows on from two acquisitions in Spain. These deals are in line with the company's strategy of becoming Europe's leading independent supplier of quality coffee and related products through a combination of organic growth and select acquisitions. A new management team has also been put in place with the aim of unifying the various businesses located across Europe. To date the company has reported organic growth of almost 10%.
Located in Valence France, Cafés Pivard is a coffee roaster and producer. It supplies many of the main retail outlets in France, as well as catering for the commercial out-of-home market. The family-owned business was founded in 1926, currently employs 70 people and has recorded significant growth over the last few years.
United Coffee plans to integrate Cafés Pivard with its existing companies in France - Cafés Excella and Campanini. This will create the country's largest private label provider of coffee, as well as one of the biggest suppliers of single portion coffee solutions. United Coffee is also set to benefit from Cafés Pivard's manufacturing plant in Valence. This will serve as United Coffee's main production unit for the French market and will be subject to further investment in the coming months. As a result, capacity is expected to increase to 10,000 tonnes next year.
Following the completion of the transaction, United Coffee remains well positioned to continue implementing its strategy of growing the business across Europe via organic growth and acquisitions.
Commenting on the announcement, Per Harkjaer, United Coffee Group CEO said: "We are very pleased with this transaction as it transforms our prospects across France and will provide United Coffee with a significant presence in Europe's second largest coffee market. We look forward to working with our new colleagues and building on their success to date at Cafés Pivard with an even greater focus on investment, innovation and the development of the out-of-home business unit."
Vincent Pivard, President of Cafés Pivard for the last 33 years added: "United Coffee is one of the leading coffee companies in Europe and I am confident that this transaction is the best way to continue developing the business, while delivering to our customers the same high quality standards that they have come to expect from us. I am also pleased that the deal will involve the firm's dedicated employees and I look forward to working with United Coffee in my new role as a consultant to the firm."
About United Coffee
From its beginnings in 1818, United Coffee now employs 900 people and roasts over 50,000 tons of coffee per year. Backed by mid-market private equity fund, CapVest, United Coffee is now a leading force across six European countries, including the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, France, Germany and the UK and currently purchases 1% of the world's total coffee supplies, 3.2% within Western Europe. United Coffee's clients include: Tesco, Waitrose, Mercadona, Lidl, Superunie, C-1000, Coop and Carrefour. Its Food Service clients include McDonalds and many thousands of local cafes and restaurants.
Factsheets
United Coffee Factsheet (English)
United Coffee Factsheet (Français)
United Coffee Factsheet (Deutsch)
Media Contacts
France:
Keima
Alix Heriard Dubreuil : +33 1 56 43 44 62
Switzerland:
Cohn & Wolfe Geneva
Victoria Dix/Maria Grupper: +41 22 908 4075
UK, rest of Europe:
Finsbury
Ed Simpkins/Charles Watenphul: +44 (0) 20 7251 3801
Geneva, 23rd August 2010 - download as PDF here
UNITED COFFEE CHOOSES GENEVA FOR ITS HEADQUARTERS
Geneva, 23rd August 2010 - United Coffee (formerly Drie Mollen Holding), one of the largest independent coffee companies in Europe and a market leader within the private-label and single portion coffee sector has chosen Geneva for its headquarters.
Backed by mid-market private equity fund, CapVest, United Coffee is a leading force across Europe and currently purchases 1% of the world's total coffee exports. The company provides private-label coffee to Europe's leading retailers including: Carrefour, Coop, Mercadona, Tesco and Waitrose; and coffee, machines, service and side products to food services clients which include: Compass Group, McDonalds, Subway and many thousands of local cafes and restaurants.
The company already has significant roots in Switzerland through its Giger Café, Merkur Kaffee, Schweizerische Kaffeeröstereien and Rosca Caffè brands. "We chose Switzerland and Geneva in particular for our headquarters due to the city's geographic location, its international environment and its long-standing presence in the food industry and coffee machines business. The availability of a well-qualified, multilingual workforce was also a key factor," said CEO, Per Harkjaer, an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience.
"United Coffee's choice confirms Geneva's attractiveness for businesses seeking a central location for headquarters, with a truly international and multilingual environment," said Pierre-François Unger, State Councillor in charge of the Department of Regional Affairs, Economy and Health of Geneva. "We are pleased to welcome this company that made already a number of recruitments locally and will undoubtedly reinforce the food industry in the region. The Geneva Economic Development Office will provide all necessary support for the development of the new office and I am confident that United Coffee will benefit from the business base and network offered by Geneva."
"Our aim is to become Europe's leading independent coffee company through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions," said Per Harkjaer. "Our focus is to capitalise on the growth of single portion coffee across Europe, as well as consolidating a fragmented market through strategic investments." United Coffee is the leading private label producer of single portion format coffee.
The Geneva headquarters located at Avenue Louis-Casai 58, will house around 25 employees, many of whom have been recruited locally and include the senior management team alongside experts in finance and trading, purchasing, supply chain, engineering and product development.
Ends
About United Coffee
United Coffee is one of Europe's largest coffee roasters, producing and distributing a wide range of coffee, coffee equipment and related services through retail and out-of-home distribution channels. From its beginnings in 1818, United Coffee now employs 900 people and roasts over 50,000 tons of coffee per year. Backed by mid-market private equity fund, CapVest, United Coffee is a leading force across six European counties, including France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK and currently purchases 1% of the world's total coffee exports. The company supplies coffee certified by the Rainforest-Alliance, Utz, Max Havelaar (Fair Trade) and 4C and in 2009 was awarded the Corporate Green Globe award by the Rainforest Alliance for demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to sustainability.
For press information contact:
Maria Grupper, Cohn & Wolfe public relations
Tel: +41 22 908 4075
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25th March 2010
Drie Mollen Holding becomes United Coffee
Drie Mollen Holding has announced today that it is to change its name to United Coffee.