Surgelés Picard : le suisse Aryzta va racheter 49% de l'enseigne

Zurich/Switzerland, 31 March 2015 – Strategic investment in Picard ARYZTA announces it has entered into exclusive negotiations for a strategic investment with Lion Capital in Picard, a speciality premium French food business. ARYZTA values the enterprise at €2.25bn, based on estimated Fiscal Year End March 2015 run-rate revenues and adjusted run-rate EBITDA of €1.37bn and €192m respectively. Under the terms of the investment, ARYZTA would acquire a 49% shareholding in Picard for a consideration of €446.6m, largely funded with the net proceeds from the Origin placement (€400m net of fees and taxes). Picard would be treated as an Associate and expected to make a net contribution of 3% to EPS on an annualised basis, offsetting 50% of the negative 6% impact of the Origin placement. ARYZTA would have the right to exercise a call option in three to five years to acquire 100% of Picard. Picard is separately managed and separately funded with debt non recourse to ARYZTA. ARYZTA would have two seats on the Picard board. The investment would be conditional on limited conditions, including anti-trust clearance. Picard will consult its Works Council in connection with the investment. Picard has market share leadership in speciality premium food in France with a 40 year track record of revenue growth, EBITDA growth and market share expansion. Picard operates an asset light, replicable model capable of transferring internationally.