Clearwater International advises the Cofigeo Group on its new funding round and the financing of its future growth

Clearwater International has advised Cofigeo on raising new equity finance and debt facilities as it embarks on the next phase of its growth strategy.

Cofigeo is a specialist in canned food (dishes, vegetables, sauces, etc.) and a major player in the transition to a food culture that is increasingly respectful of human and environmental issues, relying on strong brands that combine both culinary tradition and modernity (William Saurin, Garbit, Raynal & Roquelaure, Panzani licensed ready meals, Zapetti, etc.).

The Group has a 100% French production employing 1,200 women and men across eight industrial sites and two logistics platforms. Dedicated to healthy, responsible, and accessible food for all, the group is also committed to culinary excellence.

In a complex environment affected by the pork crisis in 2019 and the consequences of COVID-19 in 2020, Clearwater International, which had already advised the Group on the acquisition of William Saurin in 2017, were engaged to seek new investors and raise bank financing in order to achieve the group's ambitions.

In a spirit of continuity, Société Générale Capital Partenaires and Credit Trust (GSO Capital, IDIA Capital Investissement and NMP Développement) have renewed their trust, alongside the majority block controlled by Mathieu Thomazeau. The deal was completed by bank financings provided by Crédit Agricole Nord Midi Pyrénées, Société Générale, LCL, CIC and Banque Populaire Occitanie, as well as a term loan C provided by Artemid. This new financing structure also includes capex lines to support the Group's growth strategy in the coming years.

These two operations, carried out jointly by Clearwater International, will enable Cofigeo to enter into a new phase of growth focused on strengthening its leading position in France and accelerating its "omni-channel" development.