DECA Investments AIFM, the exclusive investment manager of Diorama Investments SICAR (“Diorama” or the “Fund”), announced the completion of the Fund’s tenth investment: the acquisition of a strategic minority position in Hellenic Breweries of Atalanti (“EZA” or the “Company”). The funds will be used mainly for the further development of the company through the financing of its working capital and capital investment needs resulting from the execution of its four-year business plan.

Hellenic Brewery of Atalanti is one of the three largest domestic beer producers which through large scale investments has managed to continuously develop Greek beer brands. Throughout the last six years EZA has implemented a dynamic investment plan and the Company now not only owns a factory with state of the art production facilities in Atalanti, Fthiotida, with a production capacity that exceeds 800.000 HL per year but also has achieved significant growth and offers popular brands. ΕΖΑ currently produces and distributes a range of high quality products such as Eza Premium Pilsener, Eza Fine Lager and Eza Alcohol Free, Pils Hellas, Blue Ishland and also introduces to the Greek Market the labels Odyssey and Gulden Draak.

Mr. Thanasis Syrianos, Chairman of the Board of Hellenic Breweries of Atalanti, SA, stated that : “The participation of Diorama Investment Fund, in the Company’s share capital highlights the beginning of a new development cycle, confirming the prospects and great potential of Hellenic Brewery of Atalanti, SA. We are very pleased that Diorama’s investments, and therefore its investment in EZA, is supported by the European Fund for Strategic Investment, one of the pillars of the European Investment Plan. Its participation will contribute to the strengthening of the Company’s competitiveness in terms of cost and quality within and outside of Greece’s borders, while simultaneously through the contribution of DECA Investments executives in the management of our company, our corporate governance will be upgraded, introducing new ideas and drive. The future of Hellenic Brewery of Atalanti SA will find all of its shareholders, executives and employees, deeply committed to our vision, high goals and values of our company, looking forward to a future filled with confidence and optimism”.

Mr. Alexandros Katsouridis, Partner of Deca Investments AIFM, stated that: “We are very satisfied with our investment in Hellenic Breweries of Atalanti. This investment will increase Diorama’s exposure in the FMCG sector while at the same time generate attractive returns for our investors through the realization of EZA’s very promising business plan. EZA is run by a very experienced and dynamic management team, which has managed to place a new brand portfolio of beer products to rank high in the Greek consumers’ favors. We are certain that we can support the company in achieving its goals by further penetrating the Greek market with high quality and innovative beer products. Our strategy throughout the years has been and will be investing in high growth potential and extrovert companies”.

Diorama Investments Sicar, S.A.
As of November 2015 Diorama has concluded ten investments. The existing investments in Diorama’s portfolio include the production of adhesive tapes (Atlas Tapes), the processing and packaging of tomato based products (Damavand), music streaming and digital advertising in mobile applications (InternetQ), the production of gable top cartons and spouts (Adam Pack), the design, production and distribution of women’s apparel, purses, shoes and accessories (Axel Accessories), digital payments (Viva Wallet Holdings), the production of plastic cups mainly used in the consumption of cold and warm beverages (Lariplast), the production and packaging of olive oil / dairy products and vinegar (Minerva) and the development, approval, production and distribution of generic pharmaceutical products (PharOS).

Diorama Investments SICAR is a growth fund of EUR 135mn which was established in Luxembourg in September 2014. Its goal is to make equity investments, predominantly through a capital increase, to small and medium Greek enterprises. Diorama’s shareholders comprise prominent Greek and international investors including the European Investment Fund, The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank. Diorama is managed by DECA Investments AIFM, which is regulated by the Hellenic Capital Markets Commission.

This investment benefits from the support of the European Union under the Equity Facility for Growth established under regulation (EU) No 1287/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council establishing a Program for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and small and medium enterprises (COSME) (2014-2020).

This investment is braced by the European Fund for Strategic Investments, one of the pillars of the Investment Plan for Europe. The Investment Plan for Europe focuses on strengthening European investments to create jobs and growth.