Capzanine has joined forces with Weinberg Capital Partners in the new buyout of E.CF, France's undisputed leader in the distribution of small equipment and non-food consumables.

Weinberg Capital Partners is to acquire E.CF after reaching an agreement with its main shareholders: EF Logistique, Equity Finance, the company's management team (led by current chairman Thierry Drecq), FGE (Financière Groupe Ecotel, chaired by Jean Luc Saxod) and Salvepar. Capzanine is co-arranging the deal's mezzanine financing together with Céréa Mezzanine and Unigrains.

Founded in 1880, E.CF (Ecotel Chomette Favor) sells products from some 420 suppliers to hotel and catering professionals. The Group offers the widest range available on the French market, with more than 26,000 items spanning from tableware and small kitchen equipment to cleaning and maintenance products. E.CF's success relies on its first-class logistics facilities and its network of sales professionals and reputable brands, including Chomette, La Corpo and Santor, enabling it to target the largest possible customer base through three channels: direct sales, indirect sales via a network of 37 'Ecotel' franchise stores and seven company-owned stores, and e-commerce via its website www.chomettedirect.fr.

E.CF employs 540 people and posted sales of around €130 million (excluding franchises) in the year ended 31 March 2011. The company serves 46,000 customers, ranging from large chains and independent hotels and catering outlets, to food trade professionals such as butchers. E.CF's main export focus is the Benelux countries, but it also sells to Italy and the United Arab Emirates.

This new investment partnership will enable E.CF to step up its expansion in France and internationally.

Capzanine was keen to revive its partnership with E.CF , having been impressed by the management team's highly entrepreneurial spirit and the company's robust growth potential.