Nuova Castalli takes over Lactalis 30 May 2019

The takeover of Lactalis Nuova Castalli, one of the main exporters of Parmesan cheese, was announced a few days ago and was officially announced by the French group. A decision that makes teeth fry on the other side of the Alps.

French giant Lactalis announced on Wednesday that he had signed an agreement with the British Charter to buy Nuova Castelli, one of the main exporters of Parmigiano Reggiano, the famous Italian Parmesan cheese.

Contacted for several days in Italian media, the possibility of this acquisition has caused a disorder in the country, where the agriculture minister has promised to "protect Italian businesses from the attack of foreign multinationals."

Nuova Castalli takes over Lactalis 30 May 2019

Lactalis Italy signed an agreement "to acquire the entire capital of Nuova Castelli, 80% owned by the British investment fund Charterhouse Capital Partner," the group said in a statement. "Nuova Castelli is a company specializing in the production and distribution of many traditional Italian dairy products and DOP cheeses, including Parmigiano Reggiano, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana and Gorgonzola," the statement said.
The main agricultural union calls on the Italian government to react

The historic Italian brand, founded in 1892, Nuova Castelli has 13 production sites in Italy and three abroad. In 2018, the company achieved a turnover of 460 million euros, about 70% of which was exported. The most famous brands in the portfolio are Castelli, Mandara and Alival.

    "With this operation, the Lactalis Group strengthens its leadership position in the distribution of Italian AOP cheeses on international markets, where it is already a major player with a commercial presence and distribution in more than 140 countries," the French group said.

Coldiretti, the main agricultural union, urged the Italian government to react, highlighting the need to "defend historical brands," creating an alliance among Italian actors for a possible recovery. Lactalis has already acquired many Italian brands such as Galbani, Invernizzi, Cadermartori, Vallelata and Parmalat.

For Parmalat, he took control in 2011 through a hostile takeover that has already stirred up agitation in Italy, and Rome has done everything to block. Italians are regularly annoyed by the French economic hegemony in their country, where many companies have fallen into tricolor pockets, especially in luxury (Gucci, Loro Piana, Fendi ...) and the bank.