Transcapital advises SALPA group on the disposal of a majority stake in COFFEA to the Russian group CANTATA.

COFFEA was established in 1968 and it is located in Saint-Vigor-d’Ymonville (near le Havre). The company distributes a wide range of coffee, tea and chocolate, sold under its own brand through a network of 38 shops (owned-stores and franchises) in France.

In 1996, COFFEA was acquired by the SALPA group, Société Alsacienne de Participations Agro-Alimentaire, specialized in the manufacturing and distribution of chocolate (Schaal Chocolatier, Marquise de Sévigné, Côte de France, Thuriès Excellence, Pfister Chocolatier), tea (Comptoir Français du Thé and Herbapac) and coffee (Belco). The group also operates cocoa plantations in Ecuador and hazel plantations in the Southwest of France. SALPA generates an annual turnover of €79m.

Transcapital assisted SALPA in the disposal of a majority stake of COFFEA to CANTATA, a Russian group, leader in Russia in the distribution of tea, coffee and sweets & delicacies. The group operates a network of 250 shops (owned-stores and franchises) in Russia, Armenia, Belgium and Cyprus.

The group SALPA remains a minority shareholder of COFFEA alongside CANTATA and will continue to supply the company.

Jean-Paul BURRUS – President and shareholder of the group SALPA – stated: “We have been working with Transcapital for more than 20 years for all our mergers and acquisitions related projects. Thus, it was only logical for us to work with them for the disposal of COFFEA. As usual, they have been extremely professional, entirely available, responsive and they advised us in a sensible and efficient manner during the disposal process in order to reach the best possible outcome.”