FREDDI DOLCIARIA acquired by VALEO FOODS GROUP

Foster Clark Products Ltd. has completed the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Preziosi Food S.p.A. from a consortium of investors led by Private Equity funds Vertis SGR and HAT Sicaf. This transaction represents a strategic milestone for the Maltese group, marking its first industrial acquisition in Italy and establishing a European hub for savory snacks. The deal secures FCP a modern manufacturing plant in Southern Italy (Melfi) and a leadership position in the Private Label snack market. The current CEO, who led the company's turnaround since 2021, will continue to lead the operations under the new ownership.

Ferrero, through its subsidiary Ferrara Candy, entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire 100% of CPK from Eurazeo. For Eurazeo, this marks the end of an 8-year investment cycle where it successfully regrouped heritage brands into a standalone French champion. For Ferrero, this acquisition bolsters its presence in the European sugar confectionery market and provides a strong industrial base in France. The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2025.

IDAK Food Group has acquired Sorrento Sapori e Tradizioni, an Italian company specializing in the production of frozen pizza snacks. This strategic acquisition allows IDAK to strengthen its position in the premium frozen segment and expand its product offering. The acquisition is part of IDAK Food Group's European expansion strategy, supported by the TowerBrook Capital Partners fund and allows IDAK to consolidate its position as a leader in the premium frozen segment and strengthen its offering of high-quality products. Both companies share a common vision of quality and innovation, and this acquisition will create an international platform of producers and companies specializing in high-quality frozen products. The acquisition will also allow IDAK to develop its production capabilities and strengthen its position in the Italian and international markets.

Greencore has entered into a definitive agreement to merge with Bakkavor, creating a combined UK national food champion with pro-forma revenues of circa £4 billion. The strategic rationale for the deal is the creation of an unrivalled convenience food platform with enhanced category depth and deeper retail relationships. The combination aims to deliver annual run-rate pre-tax cost synergies of at least £80 million by the end of the third year through manufacturing consolidation and procurement efficiencies. As part of the transaction, Bakkavor's US operations are slated for divestment, either before or after completion, while its China business has already been marked for sale. This merger represents a major consolidation of the UK private-label food sector, allowing the enlarged group to leverage "best-of-both" operational expertise to drive resilience and performance in a highly competitive grocery landscape.

What's Cooking? has finalized the acquisition of 100% of Sveltic from Groupement Les Mousquetaires. The deal allows What's Cooking? to expand its product portfolio and manufacturing footprint in France. Crucially, the acquisition includes a continued supply agreement, meaning Sveltic will continue to produce goods for Intermarche/Netto while also opening up capacity for other clients.

Marking its entry into the Australian market, BRIDOR has completed the acquisition of Laurent Bakery Group from the private equity firm BGH Capital. The strategic rationale for the deal is the acquisition of a turnkey premium industrial platform in the APAC region, perfectly aligned with Bridor’s "premium-only" global positioning. The deal allows Bridor to instantly control a retail network of 15 stores while gaining access to a massive wholesale distribution channel covering 1,000+ supermarkets. This acquisition follows a successful four-year value creation cycle under BGH Capital and marks the beginning of a new industrial era where Laurent Bakery’s artisanal expertise will be combined with Bridor’s global R&D and manufacturing scale. This move highlights the accelerating consolidation of the global "artisan-at-scale" bakery segment, where global leaders are increasingly acquiring regional icons to secure premium shelf space and high-end hospitality contracts.

Andros has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Delafruit from the Spanish private equity firm ProA Capital. This strategic acquisition expands Andros' industrial footprint in Spain, adding a specialized facility in Tarragona to its existing plants in Cantabria and Granada. Under ProA Capital's ownership, Delafruit was spun off from Go Fruselva and diversified its portfolio beyond baby food into sports nutrition and adult snacking.

Groupe SAVEL has opened its capital for the first time to a consortium composed of UNEXO and Unigrains. This minority investment allows the company's President, Marc Léon, to strengthen his position while the family shareholders retain a broad majority. The transaction was supported by a pool of regional banks led by Crédit Agricole du Finistère. The strategic rationale for the partnership is to accelerate the group's development through both organic and inorganic growth. Key focus areas include consolidating its leadership in niche poultry species, diversifying into processed food products, and optimizing logistics. The influx of capital will also support further acquisitions to complement the group’s product range and gain access to new client segments in the catering and retail sectors.

AS Equity Partners has entered into a binding agreement to acquire Hochdorf Swiss Nutrition (HSN), the core manufacturing subsidiary of the Hochdorf Group. The strategic rationale for the transaction is to preserve HSN’s operational business and its role in the Swiss dairy industry while separating it from the "legacy financial burdens" of its parent holding company, which has entered a debt restructuring moratorium. This carve-out allows HSN to continue its operational turnaround, which achieved positive EBITDA in 2023 for the first time in years, without being constrained by the over-indebtedness of Hochdorf Holding. AS Equity Partners intends to expand the infant nutrition business internationally, leveraging the brand's Swiss quality standards. The existing management team will remain in place to lead the company’s 129-year tradition into a new phase of sustainable profitability and international market penetration.

One Rock Capital Partners signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Europe Snacks from Seven2 (formerly Apax Partners), which had held the company since 2013. This exit concludes a decade of transformation under Seven2, during which revenue grew from EUR90 million to EUR700 million through three major build-ups. The financing is secured by a banking pool led by Barclays and Goldman Sachs.