FnB Private Equity Acquires Nestlé’s Baby-Food Assets in France

FnB Private Equity has finalized a deal to acquire Nestlé’s baby-food assets in France, including popular brands such as NaturNes, Babicao, and Babivanille, as well as the P’tit franchises. The transaction, which was approved by competition authorities and worker representatives, does not include Nestlé’s infant-formula products or brands in France.

The assets will now be housed under a new company called Azuré Holding, led by chairman and president Antoine Forbin. The acquisition aims to give a new boost to the recognized and powerful brands by focusing on innovation, strengthening consumer relationships, and ensuring operational excellence.

The production of the acquired baby-food brands will be centered at a plant in Arches, Vosges, in north-east France. The facility, which was part of the deal with Nestlé, currently employs 235 workers and has an annual turnover of around €100m ($108.1m), with a production capacity of 33,000 tonnes. The acquired brands hold a 25% market share in France.

Valérie Lutt, a partner at FnB, expressed confidence in the development potential and unique positioning of the acquired brands, emphasizing the team’s ability to strengthen market share and drive growth through innovation.

Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, and a new trading name for Azuré Holding and the purchased brands will be announced in the future. The acquisition marks a significant move for FnB Private Equity in the baby-food market in France, showcasing their commitment to strategic growth and market leadership.