+500
Employees
CapEx Review Validates True Investment Needs and Enables a Successful Acquisition
Industry: Food & Beverage
Industry: Private Equity
Service: Cost and Value Engineering
Our Client
A private equity fund with a global portfolio and over $11 billion in committed capital. For this transaction, the firm evaluated a mid-sized industrial bakery in Portugal operating two factories and selling private-label and co-manufactured products across Europe.
2
Factories
€70M
Global sales
The Challenge
The investor required an independent operational due diligence to validate the robustness of the target’s three-year investment plan and uncover potential risks before acquisition. EFESO was asked to assess three critical dimensions:
- CapEx and asset strategy: Validation of historic investments, asset condition, and the accuracy of the planned CapEx envelope
- Maintenance maturity: Effectiveness of maintenance practices and reliability of equipment
- Operational foundations: Food safety, supply chain maturity and capacity alignment with projected sales
With only a short window for decision-making, the review needed to be precise, fact-based and actionable — providing early detection of any show-stoppers that could derail the transaction.
Real Results Achieved Together
The due diligence delivered a complete, evidence-based view of the target’s operational readiness and true investment needs. EFESO’s analysis enabled recalibration of CapEx requirements and clarified operational improvement opportunities without identifying any acquisition blockers.
+105%
Capex adjustments identified
3
Critical domains assessed: CapEx, maintenance and operations
Transformation Impact
- CapEx requirements revalidated through deep dives, asset condition checks and supplier benchmarking
- Clear maturity mapping for food safety and supply chain processes
- Confirmation that projected volumes and capacity expansion plans were aligned
- Identification of operational upsides through efficiency benchmarking
- Supported the investor in reaching a confident and successful acquisition decision
Our Approach
EFESO deployed a three-week, multi-disciplinary international team to evaluate the target across CapEx, maintenance and operations.
The methodology included:
- Investment plan deep dive: Variance analysis between planned vs. actual investments, cost-benefit reviews, and prioritization of CapEx levers
- On-site expert assessments: Evaluation of asset condition, maintenance practices, operational performance and improvement opportunities
- Maintenance and organization review: Assessment of reliability, structure, capabilities and efficiency of the maintenance function
- Capacity and safety validation: Analysis of food safety compliance, supply chain maturity and production capacity versus sales projections
- Third-party benchmark quotations: Independent validation of CapEx estimates for major projects
This structured approach enabled a precise recalibration of the investment plan and a comprehensive operational risk assessment, ensuring the investor had a clear view of both risks and upsides.
Related Services
Cost and Value Engineering
Rising costs demand optimization from design through production. We apply cross-functional value engineering, zero-based redesign, and continuous cost tracking to protect margins.
Facing Similar Private Equity Due Diligence Challenges?
- Need independent validation of CapEx and OpEx requirements before an acquisition
- Want clear insights into operational maturity, capacity, and asset reliability
- Looking to de-risk a transaction with a fact-based assessment across multiple sites
- Require a rapid, expert-led diligence to reveal both risks and upside potential
Discover More Clients Results
60%
Reduction in start-up time
Food & Beverage
Vertical Start-Up Reduces CAPEX Project Time by 60%
Accelerated CAPEX execution through Vertical Start-Up methodology, reducing project timelines by 60% across European operations.
$2.5M+
Procurement savings secured
Industrial Manufacturing
Private Equity
Transforming Operational Excellence for a Private Equity Exit
Scientific instruments manufacturer faced production bottlenecks and quality challenges. We redesigned manufacturing flow, implemented lean principles, and enhanced testing protocols, improving on-time delivery to 95%.
€636K
Validated savings achieved
Life Sciences
Packaging
Turning Cost Pressures Into Sustainable Profitability
Packaging manufacturer achieved €636K savings through optimized labor ratios, reduced scrap, and material efficiency improvements.
-30%
Inventory cost reduction
Transportation, Logistics and Services
Supply Chain Transformation Boosted by Adoption and Digitalization
Cruise operator required operational excellence across fleet operations. We optimized crew efficiency, enhanced maintenance planning, and improved supply chain logistics, reducing operating costs by 12%.
$14.5M
EBIT improvement achieved
Food & Beverage
Private Equity
Right-Sized Network Footprint While Deploying New Packaging Technologies
Agricultural producer needed productivity improvement and waste reduction. We optimized growing processes, automated harvesting operations, and enhanced quality control, increasing yield by 25%.
Industrial Manufacturing
Strategic Operations Restructuring for a Leading Industrial Components Manufacturer
Fact-based restructuring of a complex industrial site, enabling a clear shutdown decision, cash-drain elimination, and a structured roadmap for execution.
10-12%
Reduction in overall system costs
Industrial Manufacturing
Oil & Gas, Sustainable Energy
Reducing Costs and Enhancing Collaboration Across Global Engineering Sites
Industrial cooling systems provider faced operational complexity post-acquisition. We integrated operations, standardized processes, and optimized production planning, improving delivery performance by 45%.
30-40%
Savings achieved
Life Sciences
Reducing Production Costs While Scaling for Growth
Pharmaceutical manufacturer reduces production costs 30-40% while preparing operations for 2027 capacity expansion and growth.