MBK Partners to buy Belgian chocolate brand Pierre Marcolini

Private equity firm MBK Partners is set to acquire Pierre Marcolini, a Belgian chocolate brand called "Hermes of Chocolate."

MBK bought the South Korean, Japanese and Australian business rights of the global chocolate brand Godiva four years ago and planned to strenghten its premium chocolate lineup by adding Pierre Marcolini.

According to people with knowledge of the matter on Wednesday, VM2 Holdings, MBK's Japanes investment affiliate, has decided to buy the entire 47% stake in Pierre Marcolini held by British investment fund Neo Investment Partners.

The acquisition price was not disclosed. Neo Investment acquired a 47% stake in Pierre Marcolini for 15 million euros ($16.4 million) in 2013.

The Belgian chocolate brand was established in 1995 by Pierre Marcolini who was born in Charlois, Belgium. It operates 43 stores in London, Paris, New York, Tokyo and Dubai.

Write to Jong-Kwan Park at pjk@hankyung.com