Houlihan Lokey Advises Courchesne Larose

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that Courchesne Larose Ltd. (Courchesne Larose Group), a leader in the Canadian fresh fruit and vegetable industry, has received a significant investment from Sagard Private Equity Canada (Sagard PE), Sagard’s Canadian mid-cap private equity fund, to accelerate its expansion and remain ahead of the curve. This transaction closed on January 23, 2023.

In conjunction with the shareholders from the third and fourth generations of the Routhier Monette family as well as the management team at the Courchesne Larose Group, Sagard PE is joined in the investment by Fondaction and Roynat Equity Partners.

A leading player in the Canadian fruit and vegetable industry for over 100 years, Courchesne Larose Group is a family-owned company that employs more than 600 people. Over the past few years, several subsidiaries have been added, allowing the Courchesne Larose Group to develop an incomparable value proposition for customers and suppliers. The Courchesne Larose Group includes Aliments Bercy, Krops Imports, Marcan Packaging, Dynapro Transport, Maroc Fruit Overseas Company, and Green Earth Produce Trading. Its primary mission is to provide its suppliers with the largest and best distribution network of fresh fruits and vegetables in Eastern Canada, allowing its customers to benefit from diversified and quality products year-round. Its suppliers come from all over the world and its customers are located throughout Canada and on the American East Coast.

Sagard Private Equity Canada is Sagard’s private equity strategy, focused on the Canadian mid-cap market, with an emphasis on the business and financial services, and manufacturing sectors. Sagard PE aims to be the partner of choice for Canadian entrepreneurs and management teams who want to become market leaders. Sagard is a multi-strategy alternative asset management firm with more than US$13.7 billion in assets under management, 90 portfolio companies, and 300 professionals. Sagard invests in venture capital, private equity, private credit, real estate, and royalties.

Houlihan Lokey acted as sellside advisor to the Courchesne Larose Group. This deal represents another successful transaction for Houlihan Lokey in the food and beverage industry.