NAZCA CAPITAL, a leading private equity firm specialized in Spanish private SMEs, has acquired a majority stake, through its Fund Nazca IV, in Laboratorios Almond, a specialized manufacturer and supplier of organic food since 1995.
Laboratorios Almond seeks to reinforce its position as a strategic supplier of ecological and healthy food, both in Spain and Europe. The company, backed by Nazca’s experience in the industry, will continue to develop products that meet the growing needs of ecological, ‘veggie’ and ‘healthy’ consumers, in a growing market fueled by an increase in awareness regarding health, sustainability and natural nutrition.
Based in Librilla (Murcia) Laboratorios Almond is the leading Spanish independent player in the organic food market, with a quality-oriented business model focused on product innovation, and a comprehensive product portfolio (comprising vegetable-based beverages, sweeteners, oils and seeds, among others). The company, which distributes its products under two renowned brands, is expected to close 2020 with c.€47m in sales.
Laboratorios Almond is recognized for the quality of its products, being one of the key pillars of the company and the result of 25-years of experience in the market. Furthermore, the company is well known for its innovation and its ability to launch new products, such as vegetable-based beverages in 1999, vegetable-based desserts in 2005, agave syrup in 2011, coconut oil in 2013 and raw sugar cane in 2017. Their R&D capabilities have allowed Laboratorios Almond to develop a new line of vegetable-based yogurt and kefir, which will be soon available.
Francisco Lajarín Barquero, current general manager and founding partner, will lead the project with extensive market knowledge gained through 15 years of experience as manager of the company, and will remain as relevant shareholder.
Nazca will contribute to the project by providing experience in the food market, both conventional and organic, and in executing growth projects in companies, delivering resources and tools to enhance the company’s competitiveness.
Francisco Javier Lajarín Barquero, founder and general manager of Laboratorios Almond, says “Nazca’s support will contribute towards accelerating our growth strategy. We will be able to leverage on their broad experience in the sector to boost our expansion plans, reinforcing our leading position in the Spanish ecological products market”.
Álvaro Mariategui, co-founder and co-CEO of NAZCA CAPITAL has commented “Our intention is to support the company in their growth plan, backing their commitment to high quality products and innovation. Their excellent positioning in Spain, one of the most dynamic markets in Europe, and internationally confirms the enormous potential of the company”.
Socios Financieros, KPMG and Uría Menéndez have advised Nazca on this deal, while Garrigues have advised the sellers.
About Nazca
Since 2001 Nazca has invested completely Funds I, II and III with a respective size of €100, €150 and €230 million, having accomplished 72 transactions: 32 direct investments in companies, 19 additional acquisitions through portfolio companies and 21 divestments.
Nazca currently manages simultaneously Nazca Fund IV with a total commitment of €275 million and Nazca Fund V of €150 million for investments in smaller SMEs, both funds mainly sponsored by international institutional investors. Nazca’s portfolio is composed of 12 companies: FoodBox (retail food), Distribuciones Juan Luna (food processing), Caiba (PET packaging), Phibo (dental implantology and prostheses), Herbex (fresh aromatic herbs), Terratest (geotechnical and tunnelling solutions), Diater (biopharmaceutical company), One Shot Hotels (hotels), Cinelux (audiovisual equipment rental), IDP (BIM-based engineering services), Filmin (VOD -video on demand- platform) and Laboratorios Almond (vegan and organic food). Nazca has divested from: Svenson, Rodilla, Dibaq, Unipost, Vinartis, Lizarrán, El Derecho, Guzmán, Acens, Hedonai, Elogos, Fritta, Autor, IMOncology, Logifrío, Agromillora, El Granero Integral, Eurekakids, Gestair, Ovelar Merchandising and McBath. For more information, please visit www.nazca.es
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