Acquisition of GASTRO TOTAL

ECF GROUP is embarking on a new strategic move and is proud to announce the acquisition of GASTRO TOTAL, the third operator of Professional Kitchen Heavy Equipment in Germany & Austria. GASTRO TOTAL is a specialist in the design, installation and after-sales of professional kitchens. This acquisition reinforces the ambitions of ECF GROUP in Continental Europe and marks a turning point in the history of its geographical expansion. This operation also opens up a new area of development around a fourth business for the group: Professional Kitchen Equipment, in addition to the Small Equipment, Hygiene and Furniture businesses for all operators in the Hotel and Catering industry , Health and Public Institutions.

GASTRO TOTAL is the 3rd integrated German group. Created in 2014 at the instigation of the German private equity fund Hohnhaus & Jansenberger (H&J), GASTRO TOTAL has already consolidated several local operators in Germany and Austria to offer public and private operators of restaurants or chains a service on single measure. Indeed, gastro total benefits from a manufacturing unit in Germany which allows it to master folding and assembly techniques internally and to develop its own brand, STHAL.

With a turnover of €45m, GASTRO TOTAL has 7 showrooms (Stuttgart, Dresden, Frankfurt, Karlsruhe, Munich, Vienna, Salzburg) and a manufacturing & assembly workshop located in Würzburg.

In addition, GASTRO TOTAL enjoys a strong reputation for the quality of its projects and products and has a portfolio of prestigious clients for establishments run by German chefs, collective kitchens in healthcare or military establishments, canteens municipalities or large financial services or automotive companies.

The management team of GASTRO TOTAL integrates the international teams of ECF Group and will continue to lead the company, its development and the consolidation of its business in the DACH region.

With his expertise and knowledge of the business, Peter Jansenberger, founder and Managing Director of the German private equity fund H&J, joins the Board of Directors of GASTRO TOTAL as an independent director.

The acquisition of GASTRO TOTAL allows ECF Group to develop a new business base in Europe (Major Kitchens & Heavy Professional Equipment) in addition to the group’s comparable activities in Australia – New Zealand with its Reward Hospitality brand. Kitchens & Heavy Professional Equipment now represents 15% of ECF Group’s total activity, offering obvious synergies and promoting the development of a community of professionals internally.

The GASTRO TOTAL brand will become the ECF Group’s umbrella brand for Grande Cuisine with strong development ambitions in France and Italy

Christophe ALAUX, Chairman of the ECF Group, explains :

« I am delighted to welcome the gastro total teams to the group as they bring a wealth of experience to a core business in the sector. This acquisition strengthens our European presence, beyond France, with clear opportunities for growth and consolidation in the medium term ».

Peter JANSENBERGER, Partner of the Hohnhaus & Jansenberger fund, adds :

« We are delighted to be handing over gastro total to a fast-growing international group. We are confident that gastro total’s expertise in professional kitchen equipment projects will be a valuable addition to ECF Group’s core distribution business ».