RSM, the 6th largest global network of advisory and audit services, conducted financial due diligence for the Frio Group, the European leader in the wine cellar market, during the acquisition of the German distributor DIWA-KLIMA, specializing in the distribution of the Avintage brand, a leader in built-in wine cellars.

The Frio Group, a portfolio company of Azulis Capital, was supported by a Franco-German team led by Eric Fougedoire, Partner at RSM, and Armand von Alberti, Partner at RSM Ebner Stolz.

Through this transaction, the Corporate Finance division demonstrates its ability to support the growth of French market leaders in their strategic acquisitions across Europe.

The Groupe Frio further strengthens its position as the European leader and announces the creation of its German subsidiary, Frio Germany.

The Frio Group, the European leader in the wine cellar market with the brands La Sommelière, Climadiff, Avintage, and Temptech, announces a significant milestone in its international growth with the acquisition of the German distributor DIWA-KLIMA, specializing in the distribution of the Avintage brand, a leader in built-in wine cellars. This acquisition leads to the creation of the group’s seventh subsidiary, following Spain, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Latvia.

The 14-person team at Frio Germany will be responsible for developing and promoting all Frio Group brands in the German market: La Sommelière, Climadiff, Avintage, Provintech, TempTech, Frigelux, and Medifroid. This local presence will allow for a better understanding of the needs of the German market and strengthen relationships with clients and various local stakeholders.

DIWA-KLIMA, based in Lahr, Baden-Württemberg, was founded in 2011 and has collaborated with Frio since its inception as the exclusive distributor of the Avintage brand. The brand’s expansion into kitchen retailer networks nationwide has created strong ties between the two teams.

"We are proud to welcome the DIWA-KLIMA team, who have done an excellent job with Avintage in Germany ", a déclaré Didier Grychta, President de Frio. " With these 14 employees, we will be able to face new challenges and grow the business in the German market. Frio continues its European conquest strategy and further strengthens its position as the leader in the wine cellar market."

Christoph Von Bergen, former owner of DIWA-KLIMA, joins Frio Germany to continue managing and developing the Frio project in Germany and Austria.

The RSM team 

The RSM team was composed of 

• Financial due diligence: Eric Fougedoire, Armand Von Alberti, Thomas Krockenberger.