The Candy Factory, the Italian confectionery group, has taken a “majority” stake in Italgum Caramelle.

The stake size and financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Italgum, founded in 1956 in Casale Monferrato as Emolgum, offers gummy candies and jellies, both own-brand and private label.

Its portfolio includes gluten-free, organic and sugar-free lines.

The company has been operating from a 10,000-square-metre plant in Villanova Monferrato (AL) since 2020.

The Celoria family retains a minority stake in Italgum, with Dario Celoria staying on as CEO of the business.

The Candy Factory Group was created by FVS SGR and Clessidra Private Debt in 2022 through the merger of two Italian confectionery companies: Casa del Dolce and Liking. In 2024 it acquired Akellas, maker of the Monk’s balsamic hard candies.

In a statement yesterday (4 December), the group called Italgum “complimentary” to its existing businesses.

Candy Factory said the deal will help “consolidate” its industrial footprint in Northern Italy, “strengthening its overall production capacity and specialisation by vertical product categories”.

Roberto Ippolito, president of Candy Factory and managing director of Clessidra, said: "We are delighted to welcome Italgum into the Candy Factory Group. Its long artisan tradition, combined with its specialisation in jellies and its strong presence in the private label sector, further enrich our industrial expertise."

The company funded the deal using its own resources.

Diego Tognetti, vice president of Candy Factory and general manager of Investments at FVS, said: Italgum Caramelle brings unique technical expertise and a lean production structure that integrates perfectly with our business aggregation model.

“Highly skilled SMEs. Growth, both organic and through acquisitions, remains at the heart of our strategy.

Candy Factory expects to close 2025 with €60m ($69.8m) consolidated turnover and over one-third from exports.