The family-owned Windel Group has acquired Belgian premium chocolate producer The Chocolate Family (TCF) from the Huurman family.
With its well-known brands ICKX and Pralibel, The Chocolate Family employs over 200 people across two Belgian sites in Essen and Vichte and operates several Art-of-Chocolate shops in Germany and the Netherlands. Founded in 1972, the company supplies both traditional and major retail chains worldwide.
As part of the acquisition, TCF will collaborate closely with Kim’s Chocolates, another Belgian subsidiary of the Windel Group, creating a one-stop shop for premium Belgian pralines, bars, and tablets.
“The acquisition of TCF is a strategic milestone”, says Fred Windel, CEO of the Windel Group. “We’re bringing together the best of the Belgian chocolate world under one roof.”
Ellen and Sjaak Huurman, who will continue to lead TCF within the Windel Group, said in a joint statement: “Windel is the ideal partner for us. Together we can keep doing what drives us most – creating as many chocolate smiles as possible.”
Following the acquisition, the combined Windel Group employs over 800 people and generates more than 250 million euros in annual turnover.
Advisers
Sell-side:
Financial – Squarefield (Floris Pot, Lenny Van Dyck, Joost van Schaardenburg, Sam van Egmond);
Legal – Lexence (Joost Kolkman, Jesse Fuykschot, Koen Andel).
Buy-side:
Legal, Financial, and Tax – PwC.
