LDC Group acquires majority stake in ECF Group

GERMANY – LDC Group, recognized as Europe’s largest poultry meat producer, is acquiring a majority stake in Germany’s European Convenience Food (ECF Group), a supplier for retail and foodservice sectors. 

The French company, formally known as Lambert Dodard Chancereul, did not reveal the financial details of the transaction, which is part of LDC’s ongoing acquisition strategy this year.

Post-acquisition, ECF Group’s management will retain a minority stake, pending competition authority approval, with the deal expected to finalize by the end of the year.

LDC’s CEO, Philippe Gélin, previously expressed the company’s intention to diversify into plant-based products, and ECF Group aligns with this strategy through its vegetarian offerings.

Founded in 2014 from the merger of Karl Kemper Convenience and Eichkamp, ECF Group specializes in frozen vegetarian products, snacks, and meat items. 

The company caters to both retail and foodservice channels and serves B2B clients and private label brands. ECF Group reported a turnover of €80 million (US$86.7 million) last year, with the majority—90%—coming from the German market and the remainder from international sales.

The company employs nearly 200 people and recorded an EBITDA exceeding US$10.8M in the previous fiscal year, according to LDC.

In its announcement, LDC stated that this acquisition represents a strategic move into the growing market for frozen poultry and plant-based products in Germany, which is recognized as the largest food market in Europe.

This transaction marks the latest in a series of acquisitions for LDC this year, including the purchase of Konspol in Poland in June and the acquisition of Pierre Martinet, a local producer of salads and tabbouleh, in May. 

Earlier in the year, the group also acquired Groupe Routhiau, a family-owned meat producer.

Headquartered in Sablé-sur-Sarthe and listed in Paris, LDC reported a 6% increase in turnover, reaching US$6.7M for the 2023-24 financial year. 

Poultry accounted for 72% of its revenue, while convenience foods made up the remaining portion. EBITDA remained stable at US$596.3M.

Net profit surged toUS$18.4M compared toUS42.7M in the previous financial year.

LDC’s portfolio includes brands such as Loué, Le Gaulois, Maître CoQ, Doux, Marie, Traditions d’Asie, Drosed, and Nature et Respect.

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