mynth
← DATABASE
12/2013

GRUPPO ALIVAL acquired by DANTE BIGI S.R.L.

ITALY Food Processing / Food Products / Dairy EV 50M - 150M EUR

Context

Dante Bigi S.r.l. acquired a 51% controlling interest in Gruppo Alival, with an agreement to acquire the remaining 49% in 2014. This acquisition was a pivotal step in consolidating the Italian dairy market, bringing together Alival's leadership in fresh cheeses (mozzarella) with the acquirer's existing strength in aged cheeses.

GRUPPO ALIVAL, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2013, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a LOGIN to the average currently observed in the AgriFood sector (10.5x).

Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.

-> Deep-dive in AgriFood market trends

Target

Gruppo Alival is a leading Italian dairy producer, ranking as the third-largest player in the mozzarella market in Italy. Operating through 9 production plants in Italy and Poland, the group offers a wide portfolio including mozzarella, pecorino, ricotta, and butter. It owns well-known commercial and PDO brands such as Alival, Mandara, Fattorie del Sole, Trep, Caseificio dell Amiata, and Tinis. In 2013, the group generated revenues of EUR175 million and served major retail chains across Italy and Europe.

Ent. Value

LOGIN

Equity Value

LOGIN

Multiples

EV / Revenue

LOGIN

EV / EBITDA

LOGIN

EV / EBIT

LOGIN

Historical Financials (EUR)

Year
Rev
EBITDA
EBIT
2013
LOGIN
LOGIN
LOGIN
2012
LOGIN
LOGIN
LOGIN

Similar deals in AgriFood

List of similar M&A transactions (Date, Acquirer, Target, Country, Sector, Deal Context)
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySectorDeal Context
02/2014SOLINA GROUPSFK FOODDENMARKFood Processing

Solina Group has acquired the Danish company SFK Food from the private equity fund Odin Equity. This strategic acquisition significantly strengthens Solina's footprint in Northern Europe (Scandinavia), complementing its existing leadership in France and the Benelux. Concurrently, Solina completed a major refinancing of its debt, securing a new package of EUR166 million arranged by CA CIB and BNP Paribas. This financing was used to fund the acquisition of SFK Food and to repay shareholder loans, effectively allowing IK Investment Partners to realize a partial exit (Dividend Recap) while retaining majority ownership.

02/2014RIVERSIDECASA OPTIMAITALYFood Processing

The Riverside Company acquired Optima / Mec3, a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of ingredients for gelato, pastry, and other foods. Riverside aims to support management, drive global growth, and invest in R&D to maintain Mec3's reputation for innovation. The founder expressed confidence in Riverside's ability to build on Mec3's 30-year legacy and Italian heritage. Riverside emphasized the company's unique position in the growing global market for high-quality artisanal gelato.

11/2013EQUISTONEMADEMOISELLE DESSERTSFRANCEFood Processing

Equistone Partners Europe acquired a majority stake in Europeenne des Desserts from Cerea Partenaire and Azulis Capital. The previous financial sponsors, along with the management team, reinvested for a minority stake. The transaction was valued at an Enterprise Value slightly above EUR100 million. The strategic plan focused on accelerating international growth.

11/2013FRUTAROMPTI (PROTEIN TECHNOLOGIES INGREDIENTS GROUP)RUSSIAFood Processing

Frutarom completed the acquisition of 75% of the share capital of PTI with a call option exercisable by Frutarom within three years to acquire the remaining 25%. PTI, which generated about USD 111 million in sales in 2012, operates two production sites near Moscow and a Moscow‑based R&D, sales, and marketing hub plus 25 distribution centers across Russia and neighboring countries, making it a regionally strategic platform in the savory and processed‑meat ingredients segment. The founders and key managers retain management roles and minority equity stakes, ensuring continuity and cultural alignment, while Frutarom leverages PTI’s assets to expand its savory‑flavor and functional‑ingredients range, strengthen its production and distribution infrastructure in Russia, and deepen its position in both developed and emerging markets. Synergies are expected to arise from cross‑selling, shared R&D, and joint product development, as well as from rationalization of certain supply‑chain and logistics activities, consistent with Frutarom’s broader strategy of being a preferred global partner in tasty and healthy food solutions.

09/2013EQUISTONECHARLES & ALICEFRANCEFood Processing

Equistone Partners Europe has acquired a majority stake in Charles & Alice from historical investor CM-CIC Capital Finance (which retained a minority stake). The transaction allowed the management team, led by Thierry Goubault, to significantly increase its equity participation from 15% to 26%. The deal was supported by a diversified financing package, including senior debt, mezzanine debt, and a dedicated CAPEX line to fund future industrial investments and international expansion. This LBO marks the next phase of growth for the fruit dessert specialist, aiming to transition from a French champion to a global player in the healthy snacking industry.

08/2013INVESTCORPTYRRELLSUNITED KINGDOMFood Processing

Investcorp has acquired Tyrrells Potato Crisps from Langholm Capital for �100 million. The transaction provides an exit for Langholm, which had backed the founder William Chase in 2008. Investcorp's investment thesis focuses on accelerating Tyrrells' international expansion. While the brand is well-established in the UK, Investcorp identifies significant white space in Europe and North America for premium "English" snacks. The plan involves increasing distribution channels abroad and potentially exploring bolt-on acquisitions to broaden the product range.

07/2011IK PARTNERSSOLINA GROUPFRANCEFood Processing

IK Investment Partners has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Savena from French private equity funds Cerea Capital and Azulis Capital. This transaction marks the beginning of a major consolidation phase for the company (which would later merge with SFK to become Solina). The management team reinvests in the transaction (having previously held 22.5%). The deal is driven by an ambitious growth strategy to double the company's size by 2016 through international external growth. Financing is provided to support acquisitions in Europe and emerging markets like Russia and China.

05/2011MCH PRIVATE EQUITYEUROPASTRYSPAINFood Processing

MCH Private Equity acquired 18% stake in Europastry in a transaction that allowed for the exit of the historical shareholder Vall Companys (which previously held 24%). Concurrently, the founding Gallés family increased their majority stake to 80%, reaffirming their long-term commitment. The deal was supported by a €200 million syndicated loan to restructure the company's debt and provide the "dry powder" necessary for its global buy-and-build strategy. This investment marked the beginning of a 15-year partnership that saw Europastry's revenue grow five-fold, transforming it from a national champion into one of the top five global players in the frozen bakery market.

05/2011GENERAL MILLSYOPLAITFRANCEFood Processing

General Mills has signed definitive agreements to acquire a 51% controlling interest in Yoplait S.A.S. and a 50% interest in the entity holding the worldwide brand rights. The stake was acquired from private equity firm PAI Partners and the French dairy cooperative Sodiaal. Sodiaal will retain the remaining 49% stake, effectively forming a global joint venture. This transaction resolves a long-standing arbitration between General Mills and Yoplait regarding the US licensing rights.

03/2011ADVENT INTERNATIONALPARTNER IN PET FOOD (PPF)HUNGARYFood Processing

Advent International has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Provimi Pet Food from the Provimi Group. This transaction is structured as a corporate carve-out, separating the consumer-focused pet food business unit from the parent organization's core B2B animal nutrition operations. Following the completion of the transaction, Advent International will rebrand the standalone entity as "Partner in Pet Food" (PPF). The closing of the transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and mandatory works council consultations. The acquisition positions the business under a dedicated consumer-focused sponsor to drive its next operational phase. The post-closing growth strategy engineered by Advent International will focus on accelerating product innovation cycles across the company's manufacturing lines. Additionally, the sponsor will back the company's geographic expansion strategy to increase its market share and distribution footprint across Western European commercial channels.

REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV 50M - 150M EUR

Revenue range: 100M - 200M EUR

EBITDA range: 5M - 25M EUR

Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of GRUPPO ALIVAL by DANTE BIGI S.R.L. are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.

Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).