Arca Capital Sells Marila Balirny to Mokate

Arca Capital has sold its ownership of Czech coffee producer and confectioner Marila Balirny to the Mokate Group. With this purchase, the Polish coffee and tea maker increases its presence in Central and Eastern Europe, positioning to become one of the leaders in the hot beverage and food service industries. Financial details of the deal, reached in early March, have not been disclosed.

Marila Balirny (www.marila-balirny.cz)
Marila Balirny began in 1998 as a small enterprise in the burgeoning Czech food industry. The company has since grown to include operations in coffee roasting and packing, mineral water production, food packing, and a bakery and confectionery. In 2007 Marila Balirny ranked second in total coffee sales and third in mineral water sales in the Czech Market. The company prides itself on successfully bringing traditional Czech products back to the market while endeavouring to introduce new product lines for its customers.

Mokate (www.mokate.com.pl)
The Mokate Group consists of eight manufacturing plants with a workforce of 1200, including its two main production facilities in the Polish towns of Ustron and Zory. The Ustron facility concentrates on producing the company’s many lines of teas and bionatural foods, while in Zory production is focused on coffee, coffee mixes, cocoa and drinking chocolate. Sales figures in 2007 closed at nearly EUR 100 million, with exports making up approximately 40% of the sales. Mokate products are exported to 60 different countries around the world.

Arca Capital (www.arcacapital.com)
Arca Capital was established in 2003 and focuses on private equity and venture capital in the areas of energy, engineering, food processing, information technology, media and telecommunications, real estate, and others. Investment amounts can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of euros, with an average horizon of three to five years.

Arca Capital has a presence in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Great Britain. It has recently been actively expanding its Ukraine operations, noting the favourable economy and opportunities in that country.