PARIS, FRANCE: Groupe SEB strengthen its positions in the professional market with the acquisition of Zummo, the Spanish world leading maker of automatic fruit juice extraction machines.

The professional offering of Groupe SEB is being expanded to meet its strong development ambitions in this segment. Numerous synergies will be created in this way for all of Groupe SEB customers: hotels, major restaurant brands and local businesses, in France and throughout the world.

A Spanish group founded in Valencia, Zummo began operations in 1992 with the target of creating the perfect fresh fruit juice and is now the world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of automatic juicing machines for fresh fruit and vegetables.

As a result of the technologies it has developed over time, Zummo has a significant competitive advantage in an extremely dynamic market.

Before being acquired by Groupe SEB, Zummo was 93% held by Meridia Private Equity I, managed by Meridia Capital Partners, and 7% held by Olmina Valencia, owned by Zummo’s founder, Rafael Olmos, who managed the company for 30 years and is also Chairman of HOSTELCO.

Thierry de La Tour d’Artaise, Chairman of Groupe SEB, said: “We are delighted to have acquired Zummo, as the acquisition will allow SEB Group to accelerate the development of its professional business, a fast-growing and profitable market. These products closely complement our Professional Coffee business, and will create a true ecosystem for our customers in this sector.

The Group extends a warm welcome to Zummo’s impressive management team and its 130 skilled employees. We are going to capitalize on Zummo’s recognized expertise and will together seek to achieve our aims in the professional sector.”