Resource Partners completes Polish deals

Equity firm backs retailers and distributors in acquisition spree.

Resource Partners, a central and eastern European private equity firm, has announced the completion of three Polish deals.

The company paid €15.2mn for a minority stake in retailer SPS Handel, a further €7.6mn for a share in food ingredients manufacturer and distributor Melvit and an undisclosed amount for a majority stake in household products importer and distributor Interchem.

SPS Handel, a wholesaler of groceries, meats and household goods, operates 36 shops under the Zielony Market brand and will use the funds to expand its operations in its domestic market.

Melvit is a bulk producer and distributor of grain-based products, such as buckwheat, flour, rice and groats, under the Melvit and Szczytno Premium names. With its new investment partner it intends to modernise its production process to increase capacity and make acquisitions in Poland and central Europe.

Interchem is Poland’s largest importer and distributor of branded household products, toiletries, cosmetics, luxury goods and cleaning products from manufacturers such as Proctor & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson and Colgate-Palmolive. It employs some 500 people at its 120 outlets.