3 hearts are interested in new acquisitions

One of the protagonists of the consolidation movement in the coffee market in the country, the 3corações Group does not hide that. Beginning in 2016, the company, owner of the largest piece of ground roasted coffee market in Brazil, acquired the brands of coffee and derivatives CLA Iguaçu of soluble coffee. And still looking at opportunities, admits Pedro Lima, President of the group, in an interview to the value.
"We have interest in making acquisitions to continue growing. We are always looking at opportunities, "says when asked about the next chapters of this movement, which gained momentum last year and had even in 2016 the acquisition of select group by Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE), second largest in ground roasted in the country and owner of brands such as mortar and pestle.
This year, the JDE back in charge and announced, in January, the purchase of the portfolio of local brands of coffee from Cia Chief, among them Pelé, Graníssimo and Tropical. The third in the ranking of roasted and grinded, Melitta, also moved and acquired the mining Baron coffee brands and strong D +, in addition to equipment for the production of ground roasted coffee, Mogyana group, Piumhi (Minas Gerais).
No wonder, therefore, that the 3corações follows. "There are assets [interesting for potential acquisition] in Brazil," says Pedro Lima. Together 3corações, JDE and Melitta has 50% market share according to Nielsen data cited by businessman-ground roasted coffee market in the country, which moves the equivalent of about 19 million bags a year and involves a total of 1,200 companies.
The size of the market and consumer loyalty even in moments of crisis are some of the reasons for the persistent bet of the big companies in the sector, according to experts. And the numbers of 3corações are a proof of this resilience. Last year, despite the recession in the country, the company''s net revenue rose 22.15% from 2015, and R $3.103 billion.
According to Pedro Lima, the result of last year resulted mainly from the increase in price of coffee-reflection of the transfer of the coffee beans-and sales growth of ground roasted coffee, which account for 75% of the revenue. The brands of coffee and derivatives CLA Iguaçu, acquired in the first quarter of 2016, also contributed partly to the result.
The performance in the capsules also helped 3corações. The company expanded the marketing of capsules in "double digits", to 80 million units, and sales of the machines also called Tres solution. For this year, given the uncertainty in the economy, the expectation of the group is a 10% growth in revenue. Lima ponders that still is an important growth, since coffee prices should be more stable this year, with the improvement in the crop of robust (conilon).
Sales of roasted and grinded once more, the increase in sales of roasted and grinded and capsules must lead to greater revenues. In addition, this year the 3corações will count with the total revenue, estimated at R $100,000,000, from the brands of coffee and derivatives purchased CLA Iguaçu of soluble coffee.
Although it is best known for the coffee, the Group 3corações-joint venture between Saint Michael Holding, the family, and the Israeli File Strauss-also acts in other segments, as derived from maize and refreshments.
Corn derivatives segment should also see a contribution to the progress expected, as the company doubled the capacity of your factory of Mossoró (RN). With that, the revenue in this segment should add R $120,000,000, according to Lima.
The Group also expect to sell over 200,000 system Three machines this year, bringing the number of equipment in the country to 800,000 units. Since the beginning of this year, the 3corações is producing the shells it sells for use on these machines in the factory built in Montes Claros (MG), which demanded an investment of R $50,000,000.
Initially, the unit, with a capacity to produce 10 million capsules per month, between 5 million and 6 million''s manufacturing of capsules per month, according to Lima. The plan is to double the capacity of the factory over the next four years, "depending on demand."
In addition to the stake in the capsules, the group is debuting in the specialty coffee segment with the brand name Santa Clara to the Northeast market. The company already sells gourmet coffees and premium branded 3corações. "You have to have the wisdom to stimulate this market," says Lima, referring to the special segment.
With five plants in the States of Ceara, Rio Grande do Norte, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro, 3corações sells coffee brands, such as Hearts, Santa Clara 3, Pimpernel, Itamaraty and Iguaçu. Also produces filter, instant coffee, Kool-Aid powder, chocolate milk, derived from corn and seasonings.