CHAM, Switzerland / MILAN, Italy – Selecta Group B.V. (“Selecta”) today announced that an entity controlled by KKR, Selecta’s majority shareholder, has entered into an agreement to acquire Gruppo Argenta S.p.A. (“Argenta”), a leading vending and coffee service provider in Italy, from Motion Equity Partners.
Under the agreement and subject to certain conditions, Selecta has the right to acquire Argenta directly from the seller in place of KKR, or after the completion of the acquisition.
A potential combination with Argenta is expected to strengthen Selecta’s position as the pan-European industry leader with an enlarged presence in 16 countries.
Argenta’s Italian operations ideally complement Selecta’s country portfolio as Selecta currently has no presence in the country.
Furthermore, Argenta adds a high quality, diversified and well-established Italian client and customer base.
The company is widely recognized as a benchmark for operational excellence and a leader in coffee services and vending innovations including micro markets, cashless payment technologies and healthy on-the-go food retail offerings.
David Hamill, Executive Chairman of Selecta, said: “We are excited to announce the acquisition of Argenta which clearly marks another important milestone in our objective to strengthen our position as the leading self-serve retailer in Europe providing great quality coffee brands and convenient food and beverage concepts. It is a perfect fit with our strategic focus on geographical reach, operational excellence, growth and innovation.”
David Flochel, CEO of Selecta, commented: “We are looking forward to partnering with Argenta and to jointly developing the Group. The acquisition gives our companies a unique platform and will allow us to benefit and learn from Argenta’s best-in-class Italian operations on a European level. With our majority shareholder KKR, we have a strong investor by our side who supports us in growing and developing our business in Europe.”
Stefano Fanti, CEO of Argenta, added: “We are excited about the partnership with Europe’s leading self-serve retailer. As part of Selecta, Argenta will have access to financial and operational resources that are second to none in the European coffee service and vending market. Together, we will tackle digital opportunities, such as cashless payment and data analytics.”
The potentially combined company would have pro forma revenues of over EUR 1.5 billion and pro forma EBITDA of approximately EUR 240 million excluding expected synergies in excess of EUR 45 million from Selecta’s integration of Pelican Rouge B.V.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including relevant antitrust clearance and, with regards to Selecta’s right to acquire Argenta, availability of financing. Closing of the acquisition is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2018. Lazard is acting as financial adviser to Selecta and KKR. Kirkland & Ellis, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Ropes & Gray are serving as legal advisors. Mediobanca and UniCredit are acting as financial advisors to Motion Equity Partners. Pedersoli Studio Legale and Linklaters are serving as legal advisors.
