United Coffee buys French company Cafes Pivard

United Coffee, an independent European coffee company, has bought out Cafes Pivard, a French coffee group, in a deal which is said to be the first major acquisition for the company.

The European company said that these agreements are in concert with its strategy of becoming a leading independent supplier of quality coffee and allied products through a blend of select acquisitions and organic growth.

United Coffee has also appointed a new management team in order to integrate various businesses located across the continent.

Cafes Pivard, based in Valence, is a coffee roaster and producer, supplying to many of the main retail outlets in France, and also catering for the commercial out-of-home market.

United Coffee intends to consolidate Cafes Pivard with Cafes Excella and Campanini, its existing companies in France, aiming to create the country’s largest private label provider of coffee, and a major supplier of single portion coffee solutions.

Cafés Pivard’s manufacturing plant in Valence will serve as its main production unit for the French market and will be subject to further investment in the coming months, the European company said.

Consequently, the plant's capacity is anticipated to increase to 10,000 tonnes next year.

United Coffee Group CEO Per Harkjaer said that this transaction will provide the company with a significant presence in Europe’s second largest coffee market.

United Coffee roasts approximately 50,000 tons of coffee per year. Backed by mid-market private equity fund, CapVest, the company operates across the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, France, Germany and the UK.