Milestone achievement, with Isla Délice now present across seven European markets
We are delighted to announce that we will exit our holding in Isla Délice, a market leader in branded halal meat products, to A&M Capital Europe. This transaction is expected to close later this year.
We acquired majority control of Isla Délice from its founders and the French private equity firm IDI in 2018, paving the way for substantial growth and development, and transforming the business from an owner-managed enterprise into being directed by an expanded independent C-suite. Our support in strengthening the Isla Délice team enabled them to pursue new opportunities and achieve remarkable advancements in various aspects of the business.
These included the continued professionalisation of the business, a material capital investment into its production capabilities, and three acquisitions in the UK, Belgium and Germany. A strategy of internationalisation was initiated, taking the business from a purely French business to one with sales across the three aforementioned international markets, as well as the Netherlands, Spain and Italy, which Isla Délice entered organically.
Heinz Holsten and John Gallagher, from the Perwyn investment team and board members of Isla Délice, jointly commented: “The successful exit of Isla Délice to A&M Capital Europe is a testament to the quality of Isla Délice. During our ownership, we have been particularly impressed by the hard work and dedication of the Isla Délice management team led by Eric Fauchon as well as the broader organisation. We are proud to have transformed Isla Délice from an owner managed French champion into a halal specialist with a presence across several European markets, led by a professional management team. This successful exit showcases the tremendous further potential of the company, and we are confident that it will continue to thrive under the new partnership with A&M Capital Europe.”
Eric Fauchon, CEO of Isla Délice, also commented: “In recent years, Perwyn’s support has been instrumental to our growth, with over €40 million invested in our production sites and new capacities developed to better meet the expectations of our consumers. Our expansion has been driven both by organic growth in the Benelux, Spain, and Italy, and by strategic acquisitions in Belgium, the UK, and Germany, which have strengthened our European presence.
I would like to warmly thank the Perwyn team and all our employees for their contribution to the company’s success.
With the support of A&M Capital Europe, we will continue our development in France and across Europe, expanding our product ranges and distribution channels, while preserving our unique expertise in halal offerings, which has been our strength for the past 35 years. I am confident that this new chapter will allow us to meet our consumers’ expectations even more effectively.”
Founded in 1990, Isla Délice has successfully established itself as a pioneer of modern halal foods, renowned for its commitment to quality and continuous innovation. It offers a diverse portfolio of products across delicatessen, frozen foods, snacks, ready meals, and various ambient categories. The company has seven brands in its portfolio, including the Isla Délice flagship brand.
Perwyn was advised by Macquarie Capital as financial adviser and Moncey as legal adviser.