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SCOUTING CAPITAL ADVISORS ASSISTS ACQUA SANT’ANNA IN THE ACQUISITION OF FRENCH EAU NEUVE

  • Vinadio (CN), 1 October 2024 – Acqua Sant’Anna S.p.A. (“Acqua Sant’Anna”), a leading Italian company in the mineral water market with the Sant’Anna brand, announces the acquisition of France‘s La Compagnie des Pyrénées (“LCDP”), a leading mineral water company and owner of the Eau Neuve brand.
  • Scouting Capital Advisors originated and followed on behalf of Acqua Sant‘ Anna the transaction in all steps, also availing itself of Excalibur Capital in the origination phase. This deal represents a strategic investment for Acqua Sant’Anna, aimed at strengthening its international position and expanding its premium product offering in the mineral water segment.
  • The entry of Acqua Sant’Anna into the share capital of LCDP will take place under the banner of continuity and integration, with Sebastien Crussol, the company’s founder, remaining a partner, assuming the role of general manager and member of the Board of Directors.
  • The acquisition, which aims to quickly double the volume of the transalpine plant that employs 50 people, will allow the company to further diversify its product range, entering the French market and the main European markets with strength. Product quality and environmental sustainability remain at the heart of the company’s strategy, thanks to the use of environmentally friendly materials and the reduction of environmental impact throughout the production chain, responding to the growing demand for sustainable products.
  • Acqua Sant’Anna, a Piedmontese company founded in 1996 by Alberto Bertone, chairman and CEO, is a leader in the beverage sector with a 13.4% share in value and a 2023 turnover of €320 million, up from €303 million in 2022. Acqua Sant’Anna is also a pioneer in the use of eco-friendly materials such as the Bio Bottle, a 100% biodegradable plastic bottle, winner of numerous eco-design awards.
  • Eau Neuve has been on the market since 2021, thanks to the entrepreneurial initiative of Sébastien Crussol and Damien Charlet Du Rieu, and is inspired by principles of sustainable development. Eau Neuve is a pure, low-mineralisation, natural mountain mineral water that springs at an altitude of 1332 m in the Pyrenees mountain range in the Haute-Ariège in Mérens les Vals. It has a range of packaging developed with the aim of minimising environmental impact, made from renewable or recycled and recyclable materials. The entire process of capture, production, packaging, distribution and recycling is designed with the primary objective of eco-responsibility.
  • In the transaction, Acqua Sant’Anna was assisted by Scouting Capital Advisors as financial advisor, with a team composed of Managing Partner Giuseppe Mario Sartorio and Associate Director Marco Croci. A team led by Partner Marcin Tobor acted for Excalibur Capital.
  • PwC TLS handled the legal aspects relating to the acquisition agreement and due diligence with a team comprising Alberto Gallarati, Greta Guazzotti and Margherita Petey and supported by PwC Société d’Avocats, with Isabelle de La Gorce and Youlia Haidous, for the French law aspects, as well as the tax due diligence aspects with Alessio Rolando and Paolo Sommi, supported by PwC Société d’Avocats, with a team led by Nicolas Arfel. Financial due diligence was handled by PwC Business Services S.r.l. with a team led by Giorgio Falcione and Maurizio Favaro.
  • Compagnie Des Pyrénées was assisted by Edulis Corporate Management as financial advisor with a team comprising Managing Director Philippe Lagard and Analyst Maureen Brayard. The legal aspects were handled by Evershed Sutherland with Partner Jean Robert Bousquet and Associate Victor Grillo.
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