Sale of Sopral (Avril Group’s pet food business)

Sector(s)
Food & Agro
Deal type
Carve out / Sell your business
Date
December 2018
Countries involved
France

Client

Avril Group is a major industrial and financial player in the oils and proteins sectors

Deal

Avril Group sold Sopral through a MBO supported by Parquest Capital. Sopral is a French company engaged in the formulation, production and marketing of pet food (dry food for cats & dogs) and equine nutrition

Parties

Lead team

  • Nicolas Balon

    Nicolas Balon

    Partner France
  • Thibault Laroche-Joubert

    Thibault Laroche-Joubert

    Partner France
  • Christopher Martin

    Christopher Martin

    Director France

What we did

Capitalmind assisted Avril Group throughout the sell-side process: pre-sounding appetite for the asset in the market, monitoring of the financial VDD, approach of interested acquirers, creation of the marketing documentation, identification of carve out issues, management of the due diligence, and assistance in negotiating the deal and the legal documentation.

This sale is the 14th transaction advised by Capitalmind for the Avril Group. We are very proud to have been by their side since 2011.

About the deal

Sopral is a French company specialized in the formulation, manufacture and sale of high-grade nutritional products for dogs, cats and horses. Sopral’s premium brands (Dynavena, Pro-Nutrition, Flatazor) are available to consumers in specialty retail stores. Founded in 1957 (a subsidiary of the Avril Group since 2010), the company operates two production units in France, distributes its products in 50 countries, employs more than 100 employees, and generates revenues of c. €40 million.

With this acquisition, Parquest Capital becomes the majority shareholder in Sopral, working alongside its current management team. Through its finance and development company Sofiproteol, the Avril Group becomes a minority shareholder, together with Idia Capital, Agro Invest and Unexo.

“We were looking for a specialized partner capable of supporting Sopral’s plans for further development, working with its management and Sofiprotéol. We share the same values as Parquest Capital and are convinced that this deal offers all the conditions necessary to successfully drive Sopral’s future growth.” Jean-Philippe PUIG, CEO of the Avril Group.