Casalasco, an Italian consortium specializing in shelf-stable tomato products and owner of the Pomì brand, has successfully secured a deal to acquire a substantial 70% stake in De Martino. The latter, an Italian enterprise specializing in the global distribution of food preserves, boasts an impressive annual turnover of approximately 40 million euros, primarily attributed to its tomato-derived product line. The strategic aim of Casalasco in this venture is to fortify its supply chain and solidify its market presence in the Far East and Northern Europe, with a keen focus on penetrating the markets of Japan and Scandinavia.
This transaction aligns seamlessly with the overarching strategic roadmap laid out in 2022, marked by the acquisition of Emiliana Conserve and the infusion of capital from the QuattroR fund into Casalasco. Ensuring operational and managerial continuity, Wolfgang De Martino will retain a significant 30% ownership stake in De Martino, maintaining his position as CEO.
EXPORT FOCUS: JAPAN AND SCANDINAVIA
This strategic move positions Casalasco, already exporting a substantial 70% of its production predominantly to European markets such as Germany, France, and the UK, to further expand its global export footprint. With a keen eye on the Asian market, particularly Japan, where Casalasco has long maintained a stronghold in both retail and restaurant channels through a dedicated local commercial office, the acquisition of De Martino promises a noteworthy surge in Casalasco’s traded volumes. Growth projections ambitiously target a threefold increase in current revenues within the Japanese and Scandinavian markets.
Costantino Vaia, CEO of the Casalasco Group, stresses the importance of this operation, stating, “Through this strategic move, we aim to bolster our presence in markets that we deem pivotal, particularly in terms of elevating the ‘made in Italy’ brand. Our collaboration with seasoned and adept partners like De Martino positions us to swiftly operate in these geographical areas, with the overarching goal of achieving accelerated growth and enhanced profitability.”