Waterlogic acquires Aquafree, Chile’s largest Point-of-Use water dispenser company
Waterlogic, a leading global designer, manufacturer, distributor and service provider of purified drinking water dispensers, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Aquafree.
The deal builds on Waterlogic’s global growth ambition, giving them their first direct presence in Latin America and leveraging upon Aquafree’s established local team and customer base in Chile.
Founded in 1992, Waterlogic has pioneered the application of advanced technology in the design of its water dispensers to deliver the purest, best-tasting water in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way. Waterlogic operates throughout Europe, the U.S. and Australia, and has an extensive independent global distribution network, together reaching over 60 countries around the world.
Established 27 years ago, Aquafree is the largest Point-of-Use (POU) company in Chile with 21,500 dispensers located in offices, hospitals, banks and pharmacy chains across the country. The company is headquartered in Santiago, Chile with 140 employees located in the capital and in the north and south of the country.
Waterlogic Group CEO, Jeremy Ben-David said, “We thank Aquafree’s owners Gustavo and Pablo Szuldman for their outstanding commitment and passion in building the market-leading company you see today. We warmly welcome their strong team of dedicated professionals to the Waterlogic family in this our first direct venture into the region. We are very excited by the opportunities that lie ahead.”
The two companies share a strong commitment to the provision of uncompromising quality and choice of drinking water solutions to all organisations large and small, backed by unrivalled service and a strong environmental conscience.
Aquafree owners Gustavo Szuldman and Pablo Szuldman said, “Waterlogic’s range of quality drinking water dispensers will be even more effective in meeting the needs of our customers who look for cost-effective, ecologically robust solutions that cater for the physical wellbeing of their employees as well as the environment. Their experience and standing in our industry will take the business onto the next level, utilising the skills and local knowledge of the team here at Aquafree.”
Waterlogic was acquired in January 2015 by funds managed by Castik Capital, the European private equity investor. Aquafree is the most recent acquisition as part of the company’s buy and build strategy since the acquisition by Castik, and following substantial acquisitions in the US, UK, Australia, Spain, France, Germany, and Scandinavia.
Media Contact
Rosanna Turner, Group Marketing Communications Manager
rosanna.turner@waterlogic.com
About Waterlogic
Waterlogic is an innovative designer, manufacturer, distributor and operator of Point-Of-Use (POU) drinking water purification and dispensing systems designed for environments such as offices, factories, hospitals, hotels, schools, restaurants and other workplaces. Founded in 1992, Waterlogic was one of the first companies to introduce POU systems to customers worldwide, and has been in the forefront of the POU market, promoting product design and quality, the application of new technologies and world class sales and service. Waterlogic has its own subsidiaries in many markets and an extensive and expanding independent global distribution network in place, reaching over 60 countries around the world. Waterlogic products are currently distributed in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and South Africa. Waterlogic’s leading markets are the US, Australia and Western Europe, in particular the UK, Scandinavia, Germany and France. More information can be found at www.waterlogic.com
About Castik
Castik Capital S.à r.l (“Castik”) manages investments in private equity. Castik is a European multistrategy investment manager, acquiring significant ownership positions in European private and public companies, where long-term value can be generated through active partnerships with management teams. Founded in 2014, Castik is based in Luxembourg and focuses on identifying and developing investment opportunities across Europe. The advisor to Castik is Castik Capital Partners GmbH, based in Munich. Investments are made by the Luxembourg-based fund, EPIC I SLP, the first fund managed by Castik, which had its final fund close of EUR 1bn in July 2015.