US-based frozen pasta manufacturer Seviroli Foods has acquired a clutch of Italian food assets from Japan’s Ajinomoto Group.
Seviroli Foods, owned by US private-equity firm Seviroli Foods, has snapped up a “portfolio” of assets that includes the Bernardi, Rotanelli’s and Mona’s brands.
The deal, struck for an undisclosed sum, takes in “related intellectual property and equipment”, a statement read.
Seviroli Foods said the acquisition would expand its product range “primarily in foodservice and retail end-markets, while also broadening its relationships with key customers and suppliers”.
Paul Vertullo, the CEO of Seviroli Foods, added: “The addition of Ajinomoto’s portfolio brands of Italian food products accelerates our long-term growth trajectory and strategic vision for our company.”
Ajinomoto, which sells a range of frozen foods in North America, said the sale of the assets would allow it to focus its efforts in the market.
Hiroshi Kaho, the CEO and president of Ajinomoto, added: “The sale of our Italian frozen pasta business will allow us to shift our priority on growing our core products, such as gyozas and potstickers, for continued long-term success.
“This renewed focus will allow us greater flexibility in our production capabilities for our core products to better serve our customers.”
Mill Point invested in Seviroli Foods in 2022. Aileen Wang, principal at the private-equity house, said the deal allows Seviroli Foods to “drive greater category depth in foodservice and retail channels and strengthen [its] market capabilities as a provider of high-quality frozen pasta products”.
Seviroli Foods, headquartered in Garden City in New York state, manufactures products for the foodservice, wholesale club, and retail channels. Its portfolio includes stuffed shells, manicotti, short-cut ready-to-eat pastas and meal kits.
It also imports food products from 19 countries through its Vertullo arm. Vertullo supplies products to Seviroli Foods, as well as to third-party foodservice, retail, and e-commerce trade customers.