UNITED BISCUITS (UB) acquired by YILDIZ HOLDING

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.

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.

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.

21 Invest acquired a majority stake in Forno d’Asolo, a leading family-owned Italian company in the frozen bakery market. The transaction was driven by the founders' need to address a generational transition and professionalize the company's management structure to unlock its next phase of growth. The Gallina brothers, the founders, recognized the necessity for a more managerial approach to scale the business and sought a partner with relevant expertise. 21 Invest was selected as the ideal partner due to its long-standing relationship with the founders, its deep understanding of the business, and its proven track record in successfully managing ownership transitions in family-run enterprises. The private equity firm shared a strategic vision to reinforce Forno d’Asolo's market leadership in Italy and expand its international footprint. The post-acquisition strategy involves appointing a new CEO with significant international experience to spearhead growth initiatives. Key pillars of this strategy include boosting domestic sales, expanding the client base, and pursuing targeted international expansion, with a particular focus on German-speaking markets. Additionally, 21 Invest plans to enhance operational efficiency by optimizing the distribution network, strengthening brand identity, and improving customer relations.

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.

Charterhouse Capital Partners acquired an 80% majority stake in Nuova Castelli's cheese business. The transaction involved a complex corporate reorganization: the group's canned tuna business (Airone, operating in Cote d'Ivoire) was carved out and retained by the founding president. The founder kept a 20% minority stake in the cheese entity to ensure continuity.

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.

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.

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.