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Industry

Food and Beverage

Company Type

Agrifood

Location

Melbourne, Australia

Size

$350 Million

Investment Type

Equity

For additional information, please contact:
John Haltmaier | Managing Director
(973) 699-7995

Overview

 

EAT Group is raising up to $350 million of equity to invest in existing portfolio companies and adding new ones in the agrifood sector.

Founded in 2013 by Phil McFarlane, Gavin Evans (both of whom come from multigeneration Australian farming families and have corporate finance backgrounds) and Brendan McKeegan (an entrepreneur with a background in building international markets for Australian and New Zealand companies)


Targeting companies across the supply chain that are seeking to unlock value, improve efficiency, sustainability, quality and healthfulness of food and beverages – pipeline has a significant focus on ESG


Australia and New Zealand have traditionally been leaders in innovative agricultural techniques and have innovative and high-growth food and beverage sectors with privileged access to substantial export markets in Asia


Seeking a funding partner who shares their long-term vision and is willing to make multiple investments either through an SPV or other mutually beneficial structure

Opportunity

 

A Recent UBS Report titled “The Food Revolution” identifies massive growth in food innovation as consumption habits change (Food Innovation market – currently USD145B growing to USD700B by 2030)


Australia has a global reputation for clean, high-quality produce and strong innovation which creates value-add opportunities for premium branded products in export markets


China and Asia’s growing middle class is driving demand for premium food and fiber (key demand driver for EAT Group)


Agribusiness and the downstream “Food & Beverage Supply Chain” is Deloitte’s number one of ‘fantastic five’ industry sectors to overtake mining – adding value is key


The urgent transformation of the food supply chain to achieve sustainability and carbon neutral goals provides an incredible value creation opportunity

Solution/Strategy

 

EAT Group plans to pursue demand-driven investments focused on integrated, efficient and sustainable supply chains


Process starts with the end market by clearly understanding the demand opportunity for premium Australian produce and then working upstream to integrate and source supply


Consumer will drive change and pay premiums for sustainable farming systems and supply chains


Plan to track and validate sustainable food systems, creating the validated story line to unlock that value proposition


Management team has deep knowledge of agrifood, strong ties within Australia, New Zealand and export markets, and existing assets with strong growth potential

Management

Gavin Evans, Founder and Director


Co-Founded EAT Group in 2013 after a successful global career in Investment Banking. Key achievements since starting EAT Group have been founding Camperdown Powder (Infant Formula) and leading the business to gain access to the China market. Then delivering the sale to Bellamy’s Organic and ultimately Mengniu. Most recently, Founding Openway Food Co, leading the acquisitions and building out the Healthy Food platform (roll up). Proven ability to build the investment thesis and then successfully execute. Previously having roles with businesses such as UBS, ABN Amro in the UK & Colonial in Australia. Gavin was born and raised in the Otway Ranges on prime farming river flats that the Evans family settled in the 1880’s and continue to farm.

Bachelor of Commerce from University of Melbourne.

Phil McFarlane, Founder and Director 


Co-Founded EAT Group in 2013 after a successful career in Finance Services.

Phil led the pioneering early stages of Australian Plant Proteins (APP) and the building of the IP that sets that business apart. He has also led the APP Horsham site construction and optimization. He now drives the planning & design process for the larger scaled up facility to be built in the coming years. Over 25 years of experience as a strategy and business transformation delivery specialist in agribusiness, financial services and professional services in Australia and overseas. Phil was born and raised in the Victorian Wimmera-Mallee wheat belt region where his family’s third-generation grain and sheep farm still operates today. Unwavering passion to make a significant contribution to the future of the Australian agriculture industry. Previous roles with NAB & BHP Petroleum.

Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from Ballarat University

CPA Qualified Accountant

Brendan McKeegan, Founder and Director


Co-Founded EAT Group in 2013 after having created, built and exited several Australian start-ups.

Brendan is an entrepreneur who specialises in building international distribution channels for Australian companies. He has built businesses and distribution channels throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and the ANZ region. Possesses commercial and business knowledge to quickly grasp emerging opportunities and successfully navigate a route to market. Practical experience in branding and marketing premium Australian products and services. Brendan plays a key role in screening new innovation that is presented to EAT Group seeking investment and operational support. Previous roles with Deloitte, Orica/ICI & Hitwise.

Bachelor of Information Technology from Swinburne University

Martha Evans, CFO


Joined EAT Group in 2018 after a career in Finance across various sectors.

Martha is a CFO with extensive experience across a range of industries in Australia and the UK. Experience in emerging companies such as Australian Stem Cell Centre as well as deep corporate skills and disciplines from Big 4 Financial Services companies and an Australian major bank. Martha is a key driver of assessing the Commercial viability of EAT Group Projects and then implementing the systems and processes to run those businesses once established. This input and ability to deliver an outcome have been evident in the establishment of Australian Plant Proteins (APP). Previous roles with Deloitte, Mercer (UK) & ANZ Bank.

CPA Qualified Accountant

Specific Risks

  • Highly competitive global industry
  • Many agrifood products require multiple ingredients, the cost and availability of which can be unpredictable
  • Adequate staffing may be subject to shortages in skilled and unskilled labor
  • Management may overpay for acquisitions, which may not be evident for several years
  • Integrating acquisitions may take longer and at higher expense than expected or anticipated synergies may fail to materialize
  • Management’s assumptions regarding product demand, costs, manufacturing processes and efficiency, equipment reliability and maintenance may turn out be inaccurate
  • Reputational damage and financial liabilities may result from any products that may become contaminated, spoil or fail to meet expected quality standards for other reasons
  • Private securities are speculative, illiquid, and carry a high degree of risk – including the loss of the entire investment
Learn More About EAT Group

Thank you for your interest in EAT Group.

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Hi. We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Thanks, Ken

Ken Margolis | Managing Partner Castle Placement, LLC
1460 Broadway Street, Rte 400
New York, New York 10036
(212) 418-1188 | C: (516) 712-7784
kmargolis@castleplacement.com

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