Acquisition of Chabowski Trading LLC and its MUDDLE ME brand

ECF GROUP announces a new external growth operation in the United Arabic Emirates (UAE) with the acquisition of the company Chabowski Trading LLC, which owns the distribution brand MUDDLE ME. This operation strengthens the Group’s footprint in Dubai and in the GCC’s countries where the Group is already implemented through the Restofair brand since 2004. MUDDLE ME will bring a strong complementary product portfolio to ECF Group with a company specialized in innovative Bars, Cafés, and Kitchen equipment.

Thanks to the acquisition of Chabowski Trading LLC which owns the distribution brand Muddle Me, ECF Group increases its footprint in the Emirates. ECF Group has been implemented in the area since 2004 and the creation of a Joint-Venture with Rak Porcelain to launch Restofair brand, supplier of small equipment for Foodservice industry. The brand was then developed in Morocco, Oman, Maldives, and Seychelles. This acquisition proves ECF Group’s willingness to strengthen its position as a leading player in the Foodservice market in the GCC.

The acquisition of Muddle Me is ECF Group first external growth operation in the Middle East. The acquisition is made by ECF Middle East, local platform (Hub) for purchasing, marketing and supply chain which drives the commercial brand development of Restofair in the area.

Muddle Me was founded in 2011 in Dubai by Simon Chabowski. It is a well-known supplier of innovative equipment for Foodservice players in the region, specialized in Bars Cafés, and Restaurant supplies. The company benefits from a wide brand and product portfolio which will reinforce the Group’s portfolio. The Muddle Me brand will be maintained as a complementary activity of ECF in the UAE and the wider GCC countries.

ECF Group is verry happy to rely on Simon Chabowski’s experience who will stay as Managing Director and will be integrated in the regional board of directors.

This acquisition is conformed with the ECF evolution that started in 2017 with the support of Naxicap Partners. The multiple acquisitions symbolise the healthy situation of the Group with 14 acquisitions since the exit of COVID crisis. The acquisition of Muddle Me is supported by PAI Partners, a pre-eminent private equity firm, which has formalized the acquisition of a majority stake in ECF Group.

Christophe ALAUX, President, and CEO of ECF Group :

« The Muddle Me acquisition is a marker of the ECF Group evolution in the GCC area and will complete our Restofair brand product offer. I am also happy to welcome Simon Chabowski in the local management team of the Group ».

Yann DHALLUIN, ECF Middle East Africa India CEO :

« We are happy to integrate Simon Chabowski and the Muddle Me team in our Group. They will bring their product expertise on a new client’s market and the possibility to offer complementary products for our existing HoReCa Client base ».

Simon CHABOWSKI, Muddle Me CEO :

« It is with great pleasure that Muddle ME has joined the ECF group. I’m looking forward to working closely with the team on developing the Muddle Me brand across the region and am excited to explore our synergies and deliver added value to both our and the Groups existing client base ».