Barilla focuses on Canada with the acquisition of Catelli Dry Pasta

Barilla has finalised the acquisition of the Canadian Catelli Dry Pasta business from Spanish giant Ebro Foods. The C$165 million (€107 million) deal includes the Catelli, Lancia and Splendor brands and the pasta plant in Montreal, Québec.

The operation is part of Barilla’s goal of expanding into the North American market and follows the agreement signed a few weeks ago to acquire a majority stake in Pasta Evangelists, a British brand specialising in the production and digital distribution of fresh pasta and high-quality sauces.

“Given the synergies between our business strategies, commitments and values, Catelli Dry Pasta is a natural fit for the expansion of our business,” commented the Group’s CEO Claudio Colzani. “This acquisition demonstrates not only our sense of responsibility in responding to the ever-changing needs of consumers through innovation but also our efforts to anticipate these needs.”

Barilla’s growth and development strategy is also set continue in Italy, where the Parma-based multinational intends to invest €1 billion over the five-year period 2020-2024. This investment will mainly serve to complete the industrial plan for pasta production sites and to carry through a series of acquisitions, starting with the pasta factory in Muggia (Trieste) which will be completed in 2020.