PAI Partners, future majority shareholder of ECF Group

was founded 140 years ago with the creation of Maison Chomette in Paris. It is the omnichannel leader in the supply of small equipment, hygiene products, furniture, and heavy equipment for foodservice professionals. ECF Group operates in 12 countries with 1,750 employees. It is a market leader in France (with its brands Chomette, Ecotel, Noveo, Cobal and Coldis), Australia (Reward Hospitality), Italy (CHS) and the UAE (Restofair). Since 2017, the Group has more than doubled in size: accelerating organic growth and strengthening its brands, combined with a strong dynamic of acquisitions (30 acquisitions in five years).

PAI Partners would support ECF Group in its global leadership strategy for the foodservice business lines around four strategic pillars:

• Strengthening the Group’s footprint in existing geographies through organic growth across ECF’s four businesses lines (small equipment, hygiene, furniture and large equipment)
• Consolidating relationships in different customer categories as the Group drives its omnichannel strategy
• Consolidating the Group’s tools across all geographies, in terms of purchasing strategy and product offer, including private label
• Continuing an active M&A strategy, targeting the strengthening of ECF’s core product offer in existing geographies, complemented by more transformative acquisitions in attractive regions

PAI Partners is a pre-eminent private equity firm investing in market-leading companies across Europe and North America. The firm has a strong track record of partnering with management teams to rapidly scale businesses and create global industry leaders. PAI would bring deep sector experience in Business Services, having completed 21 buyouts in the sector since inception, as well as real expertise in the Consumer and Consumer Services segments.

Naxicap Partners has supported the Group’s development and international expansion for the past five years. Naxicap’s support was a turning point in the Group’s history. This period was synonymous with strong resilience in the face of the Covid crisis and with the acceleration of about thirty external growth initiatiatives, leading to the establishment of new markets (Hygiene, QSR) and territories (Italy, the UK, New Zealand, Germany, Austria). Naxicap would remain a minority shareholder in ECF alongside PAI and the management team, underlining its confidence in the future of the Group.