For several years, under the impulse of the founders and directors, Christian Berlan and Edouard Hennebert, the Cure Gourmande has known a strong expansion in France and a success outside the borders of the European Union. In order to accelerate this movement, management has mandated PAX Corporate Finance to seek financial partners. Amundi PEF proved to be the right partner thanks to its understanding of the project and management issues.
La Cure Gourmande has distinguished itself for years thanks to a very diverse range of products (biscuits, chocolates, caramels, sweets, lollipops, calissons, nougats, etc.) and a distribution in a typically Provencal universe through a network of forty stores in Europe and the Middle East. The company employs more than 200 people experienced in traditional manufacturing techniques to preserve the taste and authenticity of yesteryear.
For the past 25 years, the Company has experienced steady growth in sales, which will reach more than €20 million in 2013. This sustainable and profitable development is linked to 4 key differentiators: controlled organic growth, a complete range of products, an efficient and fully integrated production tool and finally an effective marketing concept.
According to Pierre Cazilhac (PAX CF): “La Cure Gourmande benefits from an efficient production tool and irreproachable logistics. Its products of French tradition are of very high quality and its concept of shops is unique. With the arrival of Amundi PEF, the Group will have the necessary resources to finance its expansion project.
According to Christian Berlan and Edouard Hennebert, founders and managers of Cure Gourmande: “The support of Amundi PEF will enable the La Cure Gourmande group to achieve its development potential with serenity while preserving control of the group by its founding shareholders.
According to Amundi PEF: “La Cure Gourmande has three ingredients that immediately won us over: a strong and differentiating brand, a highly experienced and complementary management team and international development prospects. This transaction is perfectly consistent with Amundi PEF’s investment strategy.