Valeo Foods returns to the acquisition path with the acquisition of Dal Colle

Valeo Foods Group is back on the acquisition trail with a deal to buy Italian bakery products maker Dal Colle, as the ambient giant plans to build a platform across Europe.

With a 120-year history, Dal Colle produces over 180 bakery products, sweet treats and snacks, including pandoro, panettone and croissants, which are sold in over 35 countries.

Valeo said the deal – for an undisclosed amount – provided a “highly complementary addition” to its growing Italian platform and operations, building on the original acquisition of Balconi in 2015 and subsequent transactions with Val D’Enza in 2017 and IDP Pattini in 2023 r.

“Dal Colle is a fantastic addition to the Valeo Foods portfolio, which already boasts many of Europe’s best and most recognized brands with deep heritage and connections with consumers,” said CEO Ronald Kers.

“At a commercial level, it diversifies and strengthens our product offer and complements our offer of high-quality confectionery and sweet treats in this market, from iconic sponge cakes to wafers and cookies. It also adds significant new production and logistics capabilities to our Italian platform, which will support our growth ambitions in Italy and across Europe.

“This is very consistent with our vision of positioning Valeo Foods as the undisputed European confectionery champion.”

Alberto Alfieri, CEO of Valeo Foods Italy and president of Balconi Spa, added: “We have long admired Dal Colle, which shares our passion for providing high-quality products to consumers, and whose heritage and operational footprint are highly complementary to Valeo Foods Italy and its business Balconi.

“We look forward to welcoming nearly 90 new colleagues to our team and working with them to accelerate the growth of our enlarged Italian business.”

With revenues exceeding €1.5 billion, Valeo Foods has built its portfolio through an acquisition spree spanning more than 20 transactions since 2010. It currently owns over 80 brands, including Kettle, Jacob’s, Barratt, Fox’s Mints and Rowse, sold in more than 100 countries. The Irish group employs over 4,500 people across 30 production sites and has offices in the UK, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, the Czech Republic and Canada.

Earlier this year, owner Bain Capital injected another €50 million into the company to support turnaround efforts.