Virbac Group completes Centrovet acquisition

France-based animal nutrition company Virbac Group purchased the remaining minority shares of the Chilean Centrovet Group, thus controlling 100 percent of the stakes.

Virbac Group completes Centrovet acquisitionVirbac Group completed the acquisition of the remaining minority shares of the Centrovet Group of Chile.

“We have bought 34% of the shares of the Centrovet group, thus increasing our stake to 100%,” the French company announced.

“With this acquisition, we are consolidating our position in this promising market and strategic aquaculture segment for our Group. Centrovet, thanks to its industrial footprint and R&D infrastructures, gives us a real competitive advantage in the Chilean aquaculture industry. With a highly engaged team, we have the ambition to further bring innovative products and solutions to the local market and to search for additional synergies on the R&D and manufacturing sides between the cold and warm-water fish segments,” said Sebastien Huron, Chief Executive Officer of Virbac Group.

“Centrovet was founded in 1979 by the Farcas family who, as sole or major shareholder, developed it during more than 30 years with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Since the creation of the joint venture in 2012, they remained actively involved in the development of the company, until now,” Huron added.

The consideration paid for the acquisition of this stake is US $43.7 million, paid in full and in cash upon closing, to which will be added, if applicable, an additional consideration subject to the fulfillment of conditions and which will be less than 10% of the purchase price. As previously mentioned, this transaction will have limited impact on the financial statements of Virbac Group, other than the disbursement of the price paid, insofar as Centrovet’s activity has been consolidated at 100% since the acquisition of the majority stake of 51% in November 2012.