When MCH Private Equity first explored a potential acquisition of Brasmar, a Portuguese frozen seafood company, the Spanish private equity house turned to us to help make it a reality.
As a leading specialist in the space, Brasmar was an extremely sought-after family-owned company, with multiple investors eyeing an acquisition.
Thanks to our existing relationship with the target company, MCH benefited from our trust and knowledge, enabling them to develop a truly differentiated offer.
Successful transactions require synergies, and our dedication to relationships helps us spot them.
A differentiated deal
The transaction was successfully achieved in 2016, with the cross-border support and collaboration of both our Spanish and Portuguese teams. In 2016, Brasmar was estimating revenues of €150 million, and by 2023, the business was targeting revenues in excess of €330 million.
Brasmar’s progress since the acquisition now represents the largest growth in the sector in all southern Europe, highlighting the effectiveness of the transaction. Brasmar Group has since acquired additional businesses with the backing and expertise of MCH, including La Balinesa in 2019 and UK-based Holmes Seafood in 2023.
Nurturing the network
Relationship-building is characteristic that sets us apart from the competition, and it is at the heart of our approach. This is demonstrated by the MCH and Brasmar transaction story, and we remain close advisors of both organisations to this day. At present, we are actively supporting MCH with an ongoing project, and we are proud to be a trusted contact of the family behind the Brasmar Group.
For Brasmar, the second generation of family owners recognised the potential growth and scale that could be unlocked by working with the right partner. They were keen to take the business to new, international heights and expand their product range, while continuing to play a central role in business operations.
This acquisition showcases the cross-border collaboration of our Portuguese and Spanish teams, and the game-changing value of our extensive network. Our trusted, long-term relationships allow us to identify winning synergies that result in outstanding transactions.
Opening the door
Having previously completed effective acquisitions in the region and sector at a similar scale, MCH Private Equity saw an opportunity to replicate this success by acquiring Brasmar. We reached out to the family-owned business and helped MCH to stand out from the crowd as a potential partner.
Our existing relationship with Brasmar helped us gain a clear understanding of what the family owners expected from a potential partner, as well as key information relating to price and management structure. Having spent time understanding Brasmar’s perspective, we were able to secure a meeting between the two parties and equip MCH with the insights to build a winning approach.
Once brought together by our team, MCH demonstrated its experience in helping local champions to expand internationally. In turn, MCH gained a greater understanding of the diverse customers, suppliers, and products that the frozen seafood specialist had to offer.
The Clearwater difference
