The sector of Italian F&B finance is set to emerge from the pandemic even stronger, considering the following review of the main M&A transactions closed in 2020.
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GREEN LIGHT FOR CONAD-AUCHAN OPERATION
In March the green light was given to the so called “operation of the century” for the Italian food retail sector. Italy’s biggest mass-market chain, Conad, will have to divest 29 points of sale (previously owned by Auchan) due to excessive concentration.
NEWLAT ACQUIRES CENTRALE DEL LATTE
After the listing on Italy’s Stock Exchange, in April the dairy group Newlat started its growth process with the acquisition of Centrale del Latte.
PETRUS BUYED BY AMARO DEL CAPO
In April, Caffo 1915 group – the owner of Amaro del Capo brand – acquired the Dutch company Petrus.
FATTORIE GAROFALO BECOMES BIGGER
In June, the leader in the production of Mozzarella di Bufala Campana PDO, Fattorie Garofalo, acquired from Amadori group the Cerignola-based Apulia company, which had already been a supplier to Garofalo for several years.
MORATO PANE ACQUIRES ROBERTO AND PANDEA
In June Morato Pane acquired Roberto brand, and in October it purchased the Pandea brand from Granarolo group.
LA FINESTRA SUL CIELO BECOMES A PART OF NATURASÌ
In the organic food sector, Naturasì chain acquired “La finestra sul cielo” brand from Merla family; a preliminary operation to the launch of the new Biotobio brand.
A SPANISH TURNING POINT FOR BESANA
In July, Besana announced the sale of 51% of its shares to the Spanish company Importaco. This will create one of the most important European companies in the dried fruit sector.
DOUBLE DEAL FOR ITALCANDITI
Italcanditi scored its third and fourth financial operations after the acquisition by Investindustrial fund in 2019. Last August Italcanditi purchased Ortofrutticola del Mugello, and in November it acquired Comprital with the advisory by Brera.
ATHENA CAPITAL GETS THE PRINCIPE BRAND
October saw the official acquisition of Kipre, owner of the Principe and King’s brands, by financier Raffaele Mincione through the Luxembourg fund Athena.
PASTA ZARA IS NOW PROPERTY OF BARILLA
In October, Barilla acquired Pasta Zara which was “rescued” by the Italian pasta giant after some troubled years.
FERRERO’S GREAT MANEUVERS
Ferrero has carried out many important acquisitions also last year, starting with the British cookies Fox’s in October and Eat Natural in recent days.
VIVA LA MAMMA GOES TO BERETTA
In November, Fratelli Beretta charcuterie company finalized the acquisition of 100% of Piatti Freschi, owner of Viva La Mamma brand, previously held in joint venture with French company Fleury Michon.
ANTICO FORNO A LEGNA PASSES TO ITALPIZZA
In November, Italpizza won the bankruptcy auction for the Antico Forno a Legna brand.
VALSOIA ACQUIRES PIADINE LORIANA
In November, Valsoia acquired Deco Industrie which is the owner of Piadine Loriana brand.
ACQUA VERA PASSES TO THE QUAGLIOLO FAMILY
In December Acqua Vera passed from San Pellegrino/Nestlé to the Quagliolo family.