ECF Group acquires Pilsa: the Advisors
French ECF Group‘s recent announcement of acquiring the Granada-based Pilsa Group, a prominent Spanish distributor specializing in small kitchen equipment for professional catering, marks a transformative step for the company. This strategic move consolidates ECF Group’s footprint in Europe’s dynamic market, bolsters its capabilities in large-scale kitchen solutions, and unlocks fresh opportunities for expansion into Central America and the Middle East. With this acquisition, the group solidifies its position as the sole international foodservice operator spanning three critical regions: France, Europe and the Middle East, and Australia and the Pacific.
Headquartered in Granada with operations in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, Pilsa Group has achieved significant sales totaling €70 million in recent years, establishing itself as a pivotal player in the industry. The group is renowned for its dual role as a distributor of foodservice equipment and a leader in designing and installing professional kitchens, particularly for large-scale catering projects in hotels and events.
Recognized for constructing kitchens for rapidly expanding hospitality and dining chains across Spain and the Caribbean, Pilsa Group has also excelled in distributing small equipment, fostering strong ties with international brands, and maintaining a highly adaptable logistics network. This success is underpinned by the group’s multichannel approach, with multiple stores (Granada, Cancún) and showrooms (Granada, Barcelona, Punta Cana) serving diverse customer needs.
ECF Group’s acquisition strategy has been robust, with 15 transactions over the past three years that have enabled market entry into Italy, New Zealand, Germany, and Austria, while fortifying leadership in existing territories like France, Australia, and the Middle East. The addition of Pilsa Group strengthens ECF Group’s market leadership in Spain and the Caribbean, expanding its presence to 16 countries and enhancing its service offerings across small equipment, hygiene, and large-scale equipment sectors.
Post-acquisition, the current leadership team of Pilsa Group, including Javier López Bolívar and José Cassinello, will continue to drive development strategies within ECF’s EMEAI (Europe, Middle East, Africa, India) Business Unit, overseen by Bertrand Ferraton since 2023. This integration is expected to foster rapid commercial synergies by leveraging ECF Group’s proprietary brands and strategic partnerships with major international brands to further enhance customer offerings.
ECF Group extends its appreciation to the López Bolívar family, particularly Mr. Miguel López Muñoz, for their enduring success over more than five decades. The founding family will maintain a role within the organization, with Javier and Miguel Ángel López Bolívar remaining pivotal figures post-acquisition.
The transaction underscores French private equity firm PAI Partners‘ commitment as ECF Group’s majority shareholder since October 2023 to strengthen and expand the group’s market position through strategic consolidation efforts.
The Advisors
Legal advisory for ECF Group in this transaction was provided by Pérez Llorca, led by partners Francisco Iso Rivera (pictured left) and Javier Bau Cabestan (pictured centre), alongside lawyers Rita Royo and Fernando Guerra.
EY also supported from financial and tax perspectives, with Anca Mihaela Butoi, Stéphane Vignals, Antonio Gancedo Via, as well as Cédric Devouges, Arnaud Morin, and Youssef J’mila forming part of the advisory team.
Pinsent Masons has advised the founder shareholders on the sale. The Madrid’s team has been led by Corporate/M&A Partner Antonio Sánchez Montero (pictured right), with the assistance of Associates Álvaro Estrada Reina and Rocío García Nardiz (all Corporate Madrid).
Haya Capital represented the López Bolívar Family in their advisory capacity, with Javier Muñoz Rojo and Javier García Martínez playing key roles.
