PAULIG GROUP - Corporate FLAVORING DIVISION acquired by SOLINA GROUP

TA Associates has executed a definitive agreement to acquire a 70% majority stake in Hana Group, marking a strategic transition from an entrepreneurial governance model toward an institutionalized corporate structure optimized for global market consolidation. The transaction is structured alongside a significant equity reinvestment from the Japanese culinary brand's historical founders, alignment that secures management continuity and leadership stability throughout the upcoming geographical expansion phase. By backing the existing management team, TA Associates intends to validate and accelerate the scalability of Hana Group's decentralized operating model. The post-closing strategic roadmap focuses on densifying the group's existing territorial footprint across European markets while systematically accelerating the monthly cadence of new corner openings within mass-market retail chains.

IK Investment Partners acquired a majority stake in Cérélia Group, succeeding a consortium of investors led by Sagard, Capzanine, Cerea Capital, and BNP Développement. The transaction was structured as a preemptive bid, valuing the group at approximately €300 million. The strategic rationale centers on accelerating the company's transition from a regional leader into a global champion of chilled dough and ready-to-bake products. Under the leadership of CEO Guillaume Réveilhac, who remains a significant minority shareholder, the partnership aims to leverage IK's financial backing to execute large-scale add-on acquisitions. This acquisition follows a successful integration phase under Sagard's tenure, which saw the company's revenue reach €212 million by 2014.

Pamplona Capital Management has acquired Partner in Pet Food (PPF) from Advent International. This secondary buyout marks a successful exit for Advent, which originally carved out the business (then Provimi Pet Food) in 2011 for EUR188 million. Under Advent's ownership, PPF consolidated its position in Central & Eastern Europe and expanded into Western Europe (notably the Netherlands). Pamplona intends to back the current CEO, Attila Balogh, and continue the buy-and-build strategy to create a pan-European champion.

The founding family of Delices des 7 Vallees has opened the capital to private equity firm Sagard in an Owner Buy-Out (OBO) transaction, while the company's leader retained a significant stake. The partnership aims to fund an ambitious development plan, including doubling the production capacity of one of its French sites (opened in 2010) and establishing the company's first manufacturing plant outside of France to accelerate international sales. The deal is supported by capex credit lines and potential equity injections for future growth.

A.G. BARR has completed the acquisition of Funkin, the UK brand leader in the professional mixology market. The strategic rationale for the deal is the immediate integration of a fast-growing, high-margin brand (c. £9 million in sales) that provides A.G. BARR with a strategic "bridge" into the UK on-trade channel. By combining Funkin’s product innovation with A.G. BARR’s industrial and logistics scale, the group expects to accelerate the brand's international expansion and its penetration into the off-trade (retail) market. This acquisition allows the acquirer to capitalize on the structural growth of the cocktail market, where efficiency and consistency are becoming critical for high-volume hospitality operators. The deal highlights the trend of traditional beverage giants acquiring niche, high-growth "lifestyle" brands to rejuvenate their portfolios and tap into premium consumer experiences.

Olam International agreed to acquire 100% of the equity of McCleskey Mills Inc. from its owners. The deal is structured as a full‑control buy‑out, with the key employee shareholders, including Joe West, remaining in the business to drive integration and future growth. MMI brings into Olam’s portfolio the third‑largest U.S. peanut sheller, with two large shelling plants and a secure position in the Southeastern U.S. peanut belt, which produces 70% of the nation’s peanuts and is the lowest‑cost major origin globally. The acquisition allows Olam to backward‑integrate into U.S. peanut shelling and combine MMI’s shelling capacity with its existing peanut‑blanching and ingredient‑processing footprint in the U.S. (Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas) as well as its shelling operations in Argentina, India, and South Africa. Olam expects to achieve multiple cost synergies, including optimisation of procurement, logistics, and storage, and to expand its position as a leading global supplier of peanut‑based ingredients and blanched peanuts to food manufacturers and consumers.

Yildiz Holding acquired United Biscuits from private equity firms Blackstone and PAI Partners. This transaction created the world's third-largest biscuit manufacturer. The strategic rationale was highly complementary: UB provided market dominance in the UK and Europe, regions where Yildiz had minimal presence, while Yildiz offered UB access to its strong distribution networks in North America, the Middle East, and Asia. The deal marked a successful exit for the private equity owners, who had held the asset since 2006 and had previously sold the salty snacks division (KP Snacks) to Intersnack.

Royal Wessanen has agreed to sell its frozen snack subsidiary, Izico (renamed GoodLife Foods), to the private equity firm Egeria. This divestment allows Wessanen to refocus its strategy entirely on "healthy and sustainable food" (brands like Bjorg, Clipper). For Egeria, this acquisition marks the beginning of a "Buy-and-Build" platform that would eventually become GoodLife Foods.

PAI Partners acquired a 50% stake in Labeyrie Fine Foods, replacing the outgoing sponsor LBO France. The transaction valued the company at approximately EUR600 million. The historic shareholder, the Lur Berri cooperative, retained the other 50% stake, maintaining a co-control governance structure. PAI's entry was aimed at accelerating Labeyrie's international expansion and consolidating the fragmented premium food market in Europe.

Symrise AG has acquired Diana Group from private equity firm Ardian (formerly AXA Private Equity) and minority shareholder Motion Equity Partners. This transaction creates a unique platform for natural extracts and functional ingredients, allowing Symrise to diversify its portfolio significantly. A key strategic driver is the entry into the highly attractive and resilient pet food market, where Diana holds a leading position. The deal also strengthens Symrise's backward integration by securing access to natural raw materials. Diana will operate as a distinct "Flavor & Nutrition" division within Symrise. The acquisition concludes a successful holding period for Ardian, which supported Diana's aggressive build-up strategy, including the acquisitions of Confoco International and Givaudan's vegetable extracts business.