19th January 2011 - download as PDF here
United Coffee Acquires UK Coffee Company Coopers
United Coffee, one of Europe’s largest independent coffee companies announces the acquisition of Coopers coffee. The deal forms part of the firm’s ambitious European growth strategy that has already seen United Coffee growing at a rate of more than 20% year-on-year.
United Coffee UK is the market leader in out-of-home coffee market, the number one in the private label retail market, and roaster of the iconic UK brand, Lyons.
Coopers, a family-owned, premium-end total solutions provider with a turnover of £1.9m specialises in the out-of home market supplying over 500 independently-owned cafés and restaurants in the Huddersfield, Yorkshire and North East regions of the UK with a high quality coffee experience.
Elaine Higginson, Managing Director of United Coffee (UK & Ireland) said: "Coopers has the same values as United Coffee and an undeniable passion for quality coffee, so it’s the perfect fit. Acquiring the company will allow us to grow our base in the north of the UK and increase our presence in the growing independent sector. Our customers remain the focus of our business and we will work with both existing and new Coopers customers to help them maximise sales through innovative, sustainable coffee offers that are always one step ahead of the competition."
David Cooper, co-founder of Coopers commented: "We’ve had a fabulous 20 years growing the company and have realised our dreams of becoming a renowned coffee company that supplies outstanding coffee, equipment and training. We’re delighted that Coopers is joining such a burgeoning force in the coffee industry. There are some very exciting times ahead; the expertise, knowledge and passion of the United Coffee team will take the Coopers brand from strength to strength."
The acquisition will see United Coffee grow its market share by 3% in the UK. Coopers will retain its branding and corporate identity, thanks to its strong heritage and will become stand-alone brand under the United Coffee umbrella.
About United Coffee
From its beginnings in 1818, United Coffee now employs nearly 1,000 people and roasts over 60,000 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 exports per year. The majority of the key retail players in Europe belong to United Coffee’s customer base including Tesco, Waitrose, Mercadona, Lidl and Carrefour. United Coffee’s out-of-home market division serves 20 million cups per day through 25,000 outlets including McDonalds and many thousands of local cafes and restaurants.
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