Aksìa group sgr acquires la Pizza+1 through the portfolio company Valpizza

Just few days after C&D acquisition, with this new transaction, Valpizza Group conquers the chilled pizza segment, establishing as market leader in Italy.

La Pizza+1 will contribute to the growth of Valpizza, which will close 2021 with a turnover of €70 million and double sales by 2025.

Milan, 31 May 2021 - Aksìa Capital V, a fund managed by Aksìa Group, announces the acquisition – through its portfolio company Valpizza – of La Pizza+1, leader in Italy in manufacturing of premium quality pizza, pinsa and focaccia, chilled and shelf stable.

Valpizza, based in Valsamoggia (Bologna), continues pursuing a strategic plan focused on vertical and horizontal integration in the pizza sector, affirming its own leadership on the market.

La Pizza+1 is the third add-on concluded by Valpizza, with Aksìa Capital V fund, after last November’s acquisition of Megic Pizza, leader in the manufacturing of modified atmosphere (ATM) chilled pizzas, and the acquisition a few days ago of C&D, a leading company active in the production of finger food and singleportion frozen specialities.

This acquisition will contribute to boost Valpizza’s growth, which will close 2021 with a turnover of €70 million and double sales by 2025 thanks to the creation of an “integrated pizza hub”, unique in the international scenario.

Founded in 1996 by Sante Ludovico and based in Garica di Podenzano (Piacenza), La Pizza+1 carefully selects premium ingredients for its products. Company items range includes, from traditional to organic, pizzas, pinsas and focaccias both for retail market and professional use. Leader in the domestic market, thanks to its strong relationships with main Mass Market Retailers and Food Service players, the company started expanding internationally, supported by the optimisation of production processes.

The growth strategy also includes the launch of a new manufacturing line dedicated to pinsa, a product recording constant and strong demand in domestic and international markets, which adds to more than €7.5 million already invested by the Company to build an innovative production plant that can double current capacity.

The complementary nature of the business will allow La Pizza+1 to exploit commercial and industrial synergies and cross-selling of Valpizza Group, leader in the manufacturing of frozen pizzas with a capacity of over 80 million pizzas per year, suppling pizzas under its own brand and private label in every continent.

“We are committed to supporting the Group's growth strategy in such a dynamic and constantly developing market. The transaction allows Valpizza to establish itself as the top player in the Italian market and opens new possibilities for development abroad with the aim of exporting the real Made in Italy quality", remarked Marco Rayneri, Founding Partner of Aksìa Group.

Marco Setti, CEO of Valpizza commented: “This is a relevant acquisition with significant strategic potential for the Valpizza family adding another important milestone to its growth path. We are proud to team up with a leading player like La Pizza+1, which over the years had been able to innovate both in terms of product and process, achieving results that will contribute to the success of the Group”.

Sante Ludovico, CEO La Pizza+1 continued: “I’m extremely proud of participating in this project with our new partners, establishing an all-Italian Group that will facilitate the acceleration of our international expansion while also safeguarding the continuity of the family and management, not to mention our solid connection with the local community”.

Aksìa Group was assisted by the law firm Giliberti Triscornia e Associati for legal aspects, by EY for financial and ESG due diligence, and debt advisory aspects, by the law firm Russo De Rosa Associati for tax matters, by De Luca & Partners for labour law aspects and finally by Equita K Finance as a buy-side financial advisor. 

The financing of the operation was organised and structured by Crédit Agricole Italia, agent bank, and Intesa San Paolo, assisted by the Dentons Law Firm.

The sellers of La Pizza+1, Sante Ludovico and Giuseppe Ambrosi, who reinvested in the Group, were assisted by Pedersoli Studio Legale for legal aspects, and CP Advisors as sell-side financial advisor.

The notary Arrigo Roveda assisted the parties during the closing. 

Aksìa Group is a private equity fund management company that invests mainly in medium-sized Italian companies, fostering their growth, international development and the contribution of management. Aksìa, whose founding partners and managing partners Marco Rayneri and Nicola Emanuele have been working together since 1997, has carried out 50 operations in Italy and abroad, investing a total of over €500 million through five funds. download attachment