Biscuit International announces the proposed acquisition of Continental Bakeries

Paris, 22 October 2021 – Platinum Equity portfolio company, Biscuit International, one of the leading European manufacturers of private label biscuits, has reached an agreement to acquire Continental Bakeries from its majority shareholders, Goldman Sachs Asset Management (“Goldman Sachs”).

Continental Bakeries is a leading European manufacturer of private label sweet biscuits, bread replacements and toast. Its manufacturing operations consist of 13 production facilities in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland and Sweden. Continental Bakeries employs more than 2,300 people. Goldman Sachs has supported Continental Bakeries’ growth since 2016.

Biscuit International’s proposed acquisition and integration of Continental Bakeries’ operations is a transformational and strategic transaction for the Group. It will reinforce Biscuit International’s position in the European private label biscuit and bread substitute market. The combination with Continental Bakeries will allow Biscuit International to increase its presence in major European markets significantly through a highly complementary product portfolio and geographical footprint, for the benefit of clients and final consumers.

Thanks to a strong strategic fit, the combination will result in a more resilient, flexible and innovative group, enhanced by deepened relationships with the major European retailers. Biscuit International will be in an even stronger position to continue to invest in innovation and to remain at the forefront of organic, low-sugar and eco-friendly products in particular. The acquisition of Continental Bakeries will be a key milestone in Biscuit International’s roadmap. The resulting group will be led by a combination of the best talents of both groups, at the service of customers throughout Europe.

Giampaolo Schiratti, Biscuit International CEO, said: “The proposed acquisition of Continental Bakeries is a game changer for Biscuit International. Continental Bakeries is a very well-established company in Europe and its addition to our Group will be transformational, leveraging on a strong strategic fit in terms of product and geographic complementarity. The transaction will be a considerable milestone in our pursuit to create the European leader of private label biscuits, for the benefit of our European customers and their consumers. We look forward to unlocking further synergies and market opportunities to reveal the full potential of this combination. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Platinum Equity for their commitment and financial support throughout this transaction.”

Louis Samson, the Partner at Platinum Equity who oversees the firm’s European operations, said: “We are pleased to continue putting our M&A and operational resources to work in support of Biscuit International’s growth and expansion. As a firm, Platinum has a lot of momentum in Europe and we continue delivering on our commitment to invest in the region and maximize the potential of our European portfolio companies. This transformational add-on of Continental Bakeries is another good example.”

Igor Chacartegui, Managing Director at Platinum Equity, added: “This is a landmark acquisition for Biscuit International that will further establish its status as one of Europe’s leading private label biscuit manufacturers by capitalising on Continental Bakeries’ strong reputation and established brands in Northern and Eastern Europe. The acquisition will also allow Biscuit International to diversify its product portfolio for existing and future customers, while continuing to innovate for the development of healthy and eco-friendly products.”

Pierluigi Tosato, Continental Bakeries CEO, added: “We are excited about joining the Biscuit International family. The combination will enable us to broaden our product portfolio, deepen our international presence across Europe and enhance our customer offering. We look forward to entering a new phase in our development as an organisation and working together with the Biscuit International team to plan for, and following closing, ensure a successful integration.”

Mike Ebeling, Managing Director in the Private Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management said: “Continental Bakeries has established itself as one of the leading biscuit manufacturers in Europe, with a reputation for high quality, reliability and a wide-ranging product portfolio. I’m delighted with the progress Pierluigi and the broader Continental Bakeries team have made and we are excited to see Continental Bakeries joining forces with Biscuit International. We wish the management team the very best in the next phase of their journey.”

Biscuit International was advised by Houlihan Lokey (financial advisor), Latham and Watkins (legal advisor), Alvarez & Marsal (financial and operational due diligence), OC&C Strategy Consultants (strategic and commercial due diligence) and Brunswick Group (strategic communications). Continental Bakeries was advised by Rothschild & Co (financial advisor).

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About Biscuit International
Since its creation, Paris-headquartered Biscuit International has been actively pursuing a pan-European consolidation strategy of the private label sweet biscuit market. Following the founding merger between Groupe Poult and Banketgroep in 2016 and the recent acquisitions of A&W Feinbackwahren in Germany, Northumbrian Fine Foods in the UK, Stroopwafel & Co in the Netherlands, Arluy in Spain, Aviateur in the Netherlands and (most recently) Dan Cake in Portugal, Biscuit International became one of Europe’s leading private label biscuit players. After the anticipated completion of the Continental Bakeries transaction, the enlarged Group will employ over 4,500 people, will generate consolidated sales in excess of €900 million, and will produce over 300,000 tons of biscuits, waffles and bread replacement products from 33 factories in Europe. More than 80% of the business will be outside of France. Further information on Biscuit International can be found on its website: www.biscuitinternational.com

About Continental Bakeries
Continental Bakeries is a European bakery group specialized in the production of biscuits, bread replacements and toast. Continental Bakeries focuses on private label products and a number of great own brands such as Haust, Gille, Grabower, Bussink, Brinky and Continental Bakeries. Continental Bakeries operates 13 factories in Western Europe with more than 2,300 employees, and is headquartered in Dordrecht, Netherlands. Further information on Continental Bakeries can be found on its website: www.continentalbakeries.com

About Platinum Equity
Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with more than $25 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 50 operating companies that serve customers around the world. The firm is currently investing from Platinum Equity Capital Partners V, a $10 billion global buyout fund, and Platinum Equity Small Cap Fund, a $1.5 billion buyout fund focused on investment opportunities in the lower middle market. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 25 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 300 acquisitions. Further information on Platinum Equity can be found on its website: www.platinumequity.com

About Goldman Sachs Asset Management Private Equity
Bringing together traditional and alternative investments, Goldman Sachs Asset Management provides clients around the world with a dedicated partnership and focus on long-term performance. As the primary investing area within Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), we deliver investment and advisory services for the world’s leading institutions, financial advisors and individuals, drawing from our deeply connected global network and tailored expert insights, across every region and market—overseeing more than $2 trillion in assets under supervision worldwide as of September 30, 2021. Driven by a passion for our clients’ performance, we seek to build long-term relationships based on conviction, sustainable outcomes, and shared success over time. Goldman Sachs Asset Management invests in the full spectrum of alternatives, including private equity, growth equity, private credit, real estate and infrastructure. Established in 1986, the Private Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management has invested over $75 billion since inception. We combine our global network of relationships, our unique insight across markets, industries and regions, and the worldwide resources of Goldman Sachs to build businesses and accelerate value creation across our portfolios. Follow us on LinkedIn. Further information on Goldman Sachs Asset Management can be found on its website: www.gsam.com