Acquisition of MARILJOHN
ECF GROUP announces a new external growth operation in Pacific-Asia with the acquisition of a majority stake in MARILJOHN. After the acquisitions of Safco, Chemworks, and Hisco in 2022, the Franco-Australian Group definitively takes its place as a leader in Australia. This operation with a specialist in the Professional Kitchen Equipment allows the Group to strengthen its presence in this segment. At the end of this operation, the group's annual turnover will amount to €740m, with 220,000 customers, 23 brands in 20 countries and more than 1,700 employees worldwide.
After four operations in 2022, ECF Group announces a new acquisition in Pacific Asia with a majority operation in Mariljohn, the Melbourne-based specialist of Professional Kitchen Equipment. With this new acquisition, the Group is demonstrating its ambition in this market. ECF Group acquired in 2022 Gastrototal, one of the German leaders in the sector. Professional Kitchen Equipment activity is the fourth business line of ECF Group and will be a major axis of development in the coming years, particularly in France and Europe.
Mariljohn was founded in 1982 by the Kent family and is now a leader in the design and manufacture of professional kitchens and bars. Rich in a 40-year history during which the company was at the origin of kitchens of many hospitals, restaurants, and aged care facilities, Mariljohn knew how to evolve and adapt to the changes of the market, to offer today a complete service, turnkey, from design to manufacturing and installation.
Mariljohn will be able to draw on ECF Group’s experience in the Professional Kitchen Equipment sector since the acquisition of its German subsidiary Gastrototal in 2022. ECF Group intends to become one of the key players in the sector in the coming years, in its areas of activity, particularly in France and Europe.
Local anchorage and proximity to customers is a key success factor in this business. This is particularly the case with the ECF subsidiary dedicated to this activity in Europe, Gastrototal, which manages a network of 8 branches in Germany and Austria. Mariljohn’s current location in the Melbourne area will not evolve as part of the transaction. In addition, the Group is pleased to announce that Andrew and Matthew Kent will continue to manage the company, while retaining a minority share in the company.
This acquisition is part of the profound evolution of ECF Group initiated since 2017 with the support of its shareholders, in particular Naxicap Partners. The group's M&A activity has made it possible to carry out around thirty external growth operations over the past 5 years.
Interview :
Christophe ALAUX, Chairman and CEO of the ECF Group, explains :
« Industrial Kitchens and the Distribution of Major Equipment to food service professionals is a strategic growth area for ECF Group, and MARILJOHN meets all the criteria for a winning acquisition in this segment: complementary product ranges, synergies between our customers and geographical coverage ».
David BULL, CEO of ECF Asia-Pacific and CEO of REWARD HOSPITALITY, adds :
« The acquisition of Mariljohn provides ECF Asia Pacific with a complete design and installation offering for large kitchens and strengthens our position as a leading supplier to the Hospitality and Care sector. This partnership will benefit all our customers, employees, suppliers and shareholders ».