Irish manufacturer major Valeo Foods has announced the acquisition of Italian cakes and pastries business Dal Colle.
Financial details of the deal have not been revealed.
The move will help to boost Valeo’s “expanding Italian platform and operations”, the company said.
Its last purchase of an Italian brand was baked desserts maker Industria Doliaria Pattini in 2023. In 2017 it also snapped up the sweet tarts producer Val D’Enza in 2017 and the cakes and wafers manufacturer Balconi in 2015.
Commenting on the purchase, Valeo CEO, Ronald Kers, said: “Dal Colle is a fantastic addition to the Valeo Foods portfolio which already boasts many of Europe’s finest and most established brands, with deep heritage and connections with consumers.
“On a commercial level it diversifies and strengthens our product offering and completes our range of quality confectionary and sweet treats in this market, ranging from iconic sponge cakes to wafers and biscuits. It also adds considerable new manufacturing and logistical capabilities to our Italian platform, which will support our growth ambitions in Italy and across Europe.
“This is very consistent with our vision to position Valeo Foods as the undisputed European sweet treats champion.”
Alberto Alfiero, CEO of Valeo’s Italian branch and president of the Balconi brand, added that Dal Colle’s “heritage range and operational footprint”, was “highly complementary” to Valeo’s Italy unit.
Some 90 Dal Colle employees will join Valeo’s Italian team, said Alfiero. Just Food has asked the multinational whether any jobs have been impacted as a result of the acquisition.
Founded in 1896, Dal Colle produces sweet baked goods, such as plain and filled croissants, buns and chocolate cookies. It also produces seasonal items, which include Italian Christmas specialities panettone and pandoro and Colomba Easter cakes.
It produces more than 180 products at its headquarters in Verona. The company’s products are sold globally in 35 countries.
Dublin-based Valeo produces more than 80 food brands, including Jacob’s crackers, Fox’s mints, Rowse honey, and Poppets toffee.
More than 4,500 people work for the company at its 30 manufacturing plants in Ireland, the UK, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Czechia and Canada.
The business was taken over by private equity group Bain Capital in 2021 for an unknown amount.
