Investor-backed Valeo Foods Group has strengthened its Italian foothold through the acquisition of local sweet bakery products business Freddi Dolciaria.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
In a statement issued today (2 May), Dublin-headquartered Valeo Foods said the move is aimed at “enhancing its position in the bakery sector”, particularly within the packaged wafers, cakes, and biscuits category.
Founded in 1949 by Luigi Freddi and headquartered in Castiglione delle Stiviere, Freddi Dolciaria offers a range of pre-packaged sponge cakes and Swiss rolls.
The company’s products include classic, filled, and layered cakes, alongside free-from and health-conscious options.
Supported by a team of 48, Freddi Dolciaria generates an annual turnover of €20m ($22.6m) from Italian and global retailers, according to the statement.
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By GlobalDataValeo Foods’ CEO Ronald Kers said: “Commercially, this move strengthens and broadens our product range, introducing exclusive, global licencing partnerships with leading CPGs and expanding our healthy and ‘free-from’ offerings.
“As Freddi Dolciaria joins our portfolio, we enhance our manufacturing and logistical capabilities, adding an additional, well invested, flexible facility to support our ambitious growth plans. This marks the next step in our vision to establish Valeo Foods as the leading European champion in sweet treats.”
The company said the purchase will boost its “production capacity and operational efficiency”, while supporting “sustainable, profitable growth”.
The acquisition marks Valeo Foods’ fifth in the region.
Valeo Foods acquired Italian baker Dal Colle and central European snacking business IDC Holding in 2024.
Previous acquisitions included baked desserts maker Industria Dolciaria Pattini in 2023, sweet tarts producer Dolciaria Val D’Enza in 2017, and cakes and wafers manufacturer Balconi in 2015.
Valeo Foods, owned by investment group Bain Capital, operates in over 100 countries and manages a portfolio of more than 90 brands, including Pedro, Rowse Honey, Fox’s, and Kettle Chips.
It has around 6,000 employees across 30 production sites in the UK, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Canada, the company noted in the statement, adding that annual revenues amount to circa €1.8bn.
