BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity takes stake in Point Chaud Group

With a view to strengthening growth prospects, Didier Depreay and Eurefi, the shareholders of Point Chaud Group, the leading confectionery and sandwich chain in Wallonia, have reached an agreement for BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity to take a stake in Point Chaud.

Under the deal, BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity will acquire a significant minority shareholding ​ in the Point Chaud Group, in which CEO Didier Depreay now becomes majority shareholder. Meusinvest will retain its small interest in the business, while the Franco-Luxemburgian Private Equity investor Eurefi is to divest its entire holding in Point Chaud after 4 years of accompaniment during which Point Chaud has recorded a considerable increase. 

With the arrival of BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity, the Liege-based Point Chaud Group is bringing on board a strong financial and strategic partner. This will enable the company management team to speed up the further rollout of their successful business concept.

Welcoming BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity on board, Point Chaud Group CEO Didier Depreay underlined: “The arrival of BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity as a shareholder in Point Chaud will provide powerful support for the further growth of the Group’s business both in Belgium and abroad. I am delighted with this new financial partnership as it will enable us to drive our development forward quickly and consolidate our structure and positioning in the Belgian market. It should also enable Point Chaud to rapidly acquire market share in areas of the country where our brand is not yet established and so become market leader in the retail sandwich and confectionery business in Belgium.” 

BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity Managing Director Luc Weverbergh added: “This investment in the Point Chaud Group is a perfect illustration of our investment strategy of supporting through minority equity stakes and mezzanine finance dynamic medium-sized companies in the Benelux countries that have a strong market position and growth potential. It is moreover a good example of tailor-made financing as we have found the right balance between the interests and targets of the CEO – who now becomes the majority shareholder – and those of Point Chaud’s financial partners.”

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Press Contacts:

Point Chaud:

Didier Depreay: +32 (0)43 61 68 39

BNP Paribas Fortis:

Hilde Junius: +32 (0)2 565 47 37

BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity:

Jan Bergers: +32 (0)2 565 99 71

      About Point Chaud Group

Founded in 1993 by Liège-born Didier Depreay, the Group today owns 43 outlets in Wallonia and three shops in France. The company headquarters, located at Alleur in Liège Province, also accommodates a modern production facility and purchasing centre.

The Group currently employs 400 staff and is planning to create 15 new jobs in 2014. The Group’s new visual branding, which is now being rolled out, marks a turning point in the history of Point Chaud. The new branding, conveying a younger and more modern feel, will enable the Group to lay the basis for a new image that is perfectly in sync with customers’ expectations and to thoroughly re-align public perception of the quality of Point Chaud products.

For more information please go to: www.pointchaud.be. ​ 

BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity has a long history as a provider of venture capital, from the 1980s onwards under the banner of Generale Bank, later renamed Fortis, which is today known as BNP Paribas Fortis.

BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity takes minority equity positions in and provides mezzanine financing to medium-sized companies with a motivated and experienced management team, a strong market position and attractive growth potential. BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity may also work alongside other co-investors to jointly acquire a majority stake, for instance in a buy-out. Amounts invested range between €3 million and €50 million.

Other companies in which BNP Paribas Fortis PE holds a stake include Studio 100, the trend-setting family entertainment group, and Novy, Belgian market leader in cooker ventilation hoods.

For more information please go to: cpb.bnpparibasfortis.be.