FIRSTMATE PET FOODS acquired by NASTA PET FOOD

BRIDOR has announced the acquisition of PANAMAR BAKERY GROUP for an enterprise value exceeding €1 billion, making it the largest transaction in the history of the LE DUFF Group. This landmark deal integrates 11 Spanish production sites and 2,600 employees into Bridor’s existing network, creating a global powerhouse with a combined turnover of €2.5 billion in 2026. The strategic rationale for the deal is rooted in the "Premiumization" of the frozen bakery market and the capture of the highly resilient Spanish tourism and retail channels. By acquiring the Valencian leader, Bridor immediately gains access to a competitive export hub via the Port of Valencia and adds 1,200 specialized references to its global portfolio. This acquisition is the fifth major move in a multi-year global investment plan, following recent entries into Australia and the Netherlands. The partnership is designed to harmonize high-volume industrial excellence with traditional bakery craftsmanship, effectively cementing Bridor’s undisputed leadership in the professional food service and premium retail sectors worldwide.

Danone has acquired 100% of Huel. This represents a significant milestone in the second chapter of the "Renew Danone" strategy, which focuses on accelerating growth through high-added-value acquisitions. This transaction allows the French group to establish a dominant position in the rapidly expanding "nutritiously complete" and functional nutrition category. The strategic rationale for the deal centers on the perfect alignment between Huel’s high-growth, plant-based protein portfolio and Danone’s global leadership in specialized nutrition. By acquiring Huel, Danone gains access to a cutting-edge digital business model and a premium, younger consumer base that is increasingly seeking convenient and healthy meal alternatives. The partnership is designed to be highly complementary, combining Huel’s entrepreneurial agility and D2C expertise with Danone’s industrial scale, research facilities, and extensive worldwide retail network. This move follows a series of targeted acquisitions by the group in the medical and biotic nutrition spaces, reinforcing its shift away from lower-margin traditional dairy toward high-performance, science-backed nutritional solutions. For Huel, the integration provides the necessary infrastructure to accelerate international expansion and enter new geographic markets more rapidly than it could as a standalone entity.

Refresco has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of SunOpta for $6.50 per share in an all-cash transaction. The strategic rationale for the deal is to significantly bolster Refresco’s position in the fast-growing North American plant-based beverage market, utilizing SunOpta’s specialized aseptic manufacturing footprint as a platform for regional expansion. The acquisition is highly complementary, filling geographic gaps in Refresco’s US operations while adding advanced R&D and formulation capabilities in the plant-based milk and broth categories. Despite a temporary slowdown in US retail unit sales, the deal prioritizes SunOpta’s exceptional momentum in the foodservice channel, where it supplies eight of the top ten North American coffee chains. The transaction allows for faster operational remediation and margin normalization under private ownership, shielding the business from public-market reporting constraints. This move consolidates Refresco's shift toward value-added, less-commoditized beverage models on a global scale.

Keurig Dr Pepper completed the acquisition of JDE Peet’s in April 2026 through a recommended public cash offer, taking effective control of 96.22% of JDE Peet’s outstanding shares and paving the way to full delisting from Euronext Amsterdam. The transaction is structured as an all‑cash, platform‑building move that creates a global coffee powerhouse by combining JDE Peet’s deeply embedded coffee brands and international footprint with Keurig Dr Pepper’s leading single‑serve coffee platform and North American beverage infrastructure. Under the strategic roadmap, Keurig Dr Pepper plans to separate into two independent U.S.‑listed entities: a North American refreshment beverage company and a pure‑play global coffee business, with JDE Peet’s forming the core of the latter. The deal allows Keurig Dr Pepper to consolidate more than a dozen global coffee brands, including Peet’s, Jacobs, L’Or, and Douwe Egberts, under a unified global coffee platform, while JDE Peet’s gains access to Keurig’s installed base and innovation engine in pods and in‑home coffee systems. The combined coffee entity, intended to be led by Rafael Oliveira as CEO, is expected to generate in the mid‑teen‑billion‑dollar range of annual sales and target operational synergies through supply‑chain integration, brand consolidation, and shared back‑office functions.

Friulia has completed a strategic investment in Pintaudi S.r.l., the premium bakery subsidiary of Polo del Gusto (Riccardo Illy). Following the transaction, Polo del Gusto retains control with 63.4% (diluted from 97.5%), while founder retains a 2.5% minority stake. The capital injection is aimed at supporting production volume growth, meeting increasing market demand, and maintaining the high artisanal standards of the brand.

IDAK Food Group entered exclusive negotiations to acquire a majority stake in Onore from Waterland Private Equity and the management team. The transaction creates a diversified European leader in premium frozen food, combining IDAK's strengths in Switzerland and Italy with Onore's leadership in France and the UK. The management of Onore will reinvest in the new structure and continue to lead the division. The deal is expected to close in H1 2026 and represents IDAK's third major acquisition under TowerBrook's ownership.

Illva Saronno Holding, through its subsidiary Disaronno Ingredients, has acquired 100% of Delite S.r.l. The transaction allows Illva to integrate a strong regional distributor in the Emilia-Romagna area into its national network. This deal is part of the strategic project "DIS," which aims to build a unified, capillary distribution organization across Italy by aggregating regional leaders (following the acquisitions of Arbore in Liguria and G&P Center). The sellers include RDM Group and several private individuals.

Valsoia has acquired a 70% stake in Kele & Kele, the holding company of the Krepko dairy. The founding family retains a 30% stake and will continue to manage operations for at least three years, after which Valsoia has an option to acquire the remaining shares. The acquisition allows Valsoia to enter the European kefir market and expand its "healthy food" portfolio beyond strict plant-based categories.

NewPrinces Group has completed the acquisition of Kraft Heinz's infant food business. The transaction reunites the Plasmon brand with the Ozzano Taro production plant (already owned by Newlat), creating a fully integrated Italian baby food champion. As part of the deal, NewPrinces will continue to manufacture Heinz Baby Food for the UK market under a co-packing agreement at the acquired Latina facility.

Europe Capital Partners VII has acquired a majority stake in ESCA S.r.l. from the founding shareholders. The brothers Giuseppe and Patrizio Patrizi have reinvested to retain a minority stake and will continue in their operational roles (Plant Director and Commercial Director, respectively). The acquisition was financed by a pool of banks led by BCC Banca Iccrea and a private debt tranche provided by Tenax Capital.