Inalca Food & Beverage, a subsidiary of Inalca Spa (Cremonini Group), is specialized in the international distribution of Made in Italy typical food products. The company is enhancing its business in Australia with the acquisition of 100% of Fresco Gourmet Pty Ltd and Itaus Pty Ltd – of which it already held majority shares – that will be merged into one single company under the name of IF&B Australia. The acquired companies, operating in Australia since 2003, are specialized in the distribution of fresh & fine foods from all over the world. In particular from Italy, France, Spain, Holland, and Greece, with over 700 products and 350 buyers (among which Aldi, Woolworths, Costco, Harris Farm and Coles).
The development plan
The consolidation of these operations in Australia is part of IF&B expansion strategy overseas, in a market characterized by high growth rates of imported high-end products mainly of European origin. The companies’ full control and the new distribution subsidiaries in Brisbane and Melbourne will speed up the development plan, as well as enhancing the current Sydney infrastructure. In fact, in October a new logistics-distribution platform will be inaugurated in Sydney – in the Alexandria district – for storing products at different temperatures (at room, fresh and frozen). A structure between the harbor and the city center, which will considerably increase product references and offer a more and more extensive service.
A growing company
Born in 2012, IF&B represents a central platform that covers all the distribution supply chain. Its mission is to simplify the exports of Italian agro-industrial products, relating small and medium producers with foreign importers and distributors, working mainly in the b2b sector. IF&B aims at expanding its global presence by acquiring small and medium local distributors, that may guarantee the “last mile distribution”. Currently IF&B has subsidiaries in USA, Cape Verde (3 branches), Thailand (3 branches), Hong Kong, China (2 branches), Malaysia and Mexico. It manages a catalogue of more than 10,000 items that represent the Italian excellences. The company, part of Cremonini Group, European leader in beef, cured meats and snacks production, and food products distribution in foreign markets, is one of the few Italian companies to control the entire production chain.