PE firm Investindustrial has combined US-based private-label manufacturer Winland Foods and Italy’s La Doria to form Windoria, a new business generating $4bn in sales.
Investindustrial has now gained full ownership of both companies having owned Winland Foods outright and holding a majority stake in La Doria.
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The launch comes at a “pivotal moment” for companies focused on private label food, according to a statement released yesterday (17 September).
In the US, sales of private label brands have outpaced national brands for the past three years, according to the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA).
Antonio Ferraioli, chairman of Windoria, said: “This new platform also will enable further growth in other markets, including through acquisitions.”
Winland Foods is a producer of private label and branded food products for foodservice and retail, while La Doria makes private label tomato-based sauces, canned foods, and dried pasta.
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By GlobalDataThe combination of these businesses is said to create a $4bn “leader” in food manufacturing.
With 28 manufacturing plants and 5,000 employees, Windoria brings “global scale” and a “vertically integrated supply chain”, added the statement.
Eric Beringause will continue as CEO of both Winland Foods and Windoria, while Ferraioli will remain CEO of La Doria Group.
Dave Barta has been appointed chief financial officer of Windoria and will continue to serve in the same capacity for Winland Foods.
Beringause said: “Windoria products are now found on the shelves of supermarkets worldwide.
“As a strategic partner to leading retailers, foodservice and food brands, Windoria gives our customers a wide range of products to meet their consumers’ evolving preferences, a robust supply chain on multiple continents, and quality that is second to none.”
Windoria’s operating companies span multiple categories, including pasta, sauces, condiments, and canned vegetables and legumes, in private label markets throughout North America, the U.K., and Italy. Its integrated pasta platform consists of 11 across North America and Europe.
In July 2024, La Doria snapped up sauces and pesto business Clas.
Founded in 1989, Clas is a producer of Italian pesto, ready-made pasta sauces and condiments for private-label customers.
Last year, La Doria Group also signed an agreement to acquire the private-label dry pasta business unit of local manufacturer Pastificio di Martino Gaetano.
Besides, La Doria agreed to buy back the 13% stake held by Pastificio Di Martino in its subsidiary La Doria LDH, according to a statement.
