Fusioni & Acquisizioni

🍕 Stefano Chieregato secured second place at Pane Mania 2025 on March 22, judged by a panel of experts. His awarded breads, made with Molino Merano sourdough, are now available at Chiere - Pane Pizza Piacenza since March 26. The bakery, started in 2020, offers eight types of long-fermentation bread and pizzas. Chieregato's accolades include the 2023 title of Best Emerging Baker by Gambero Rosso and a special 2025 Pizza of the Year award for "La Piacentina".

📹 At Beer&Food Attraction, Giulia Camilla Wagner, Communication and Marketing Manager at Fonte Plose, was interviewed for HorecaTV. She revealed a new product: a pink grapefruit soda by Alpex, and a restyled Acqua Plose line for restaurants featuring a new, vibrant and embossed label. The company showcased its high-quality range, including the no-colorant, no-preservative, no-added-sugar Bio Plose line, and successful non-alcoholic Alpex aperitifs and sodas.

🖤 Giuseppe Vicenzi, a storied entrepreneur from Verona, passed away at 92. Having started working in his family's bakery at age 5, he transformed it into an international success with over 160 million euros in revenue in 2023. The company, founded in 1907, now employs 370 people and operates three factories in San Giovanni Lupatoto, Bovolone (Verona), and Nusco (Avellino). Vicenzi was honored as a Cavaliere del Lavoro by the Italian President in 2021. His brands include Matilde Vicenzi, Grisbì, and Mr. Day. Additionally, he was passionate about basketball, leading the Scaligera team to major victories. Vicenzi is survived by his three daughters.

🌍 Mapo Travel's Mapo World brand saw a +40% increase in bookings in 2025 compared to 2024. Elena Foglio joined the Turin office, with new travel itineraries to Peru and China added. More than ten Italian-speaking guided group tours in Canada were enhanced. New departures are set for November to Japan from Rome, Milan, and Venice, and to South Africa from Rome and Milan. August offers immediate confirmation packages to the East from major airports.

🏦 Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) reports a record-breaking balance sheet for 2024, with revenues reaching €250 million, up €37.6 million from the previous year. As the most profitable Italian trade fair company in 2024, IEG's pre-tax profit soared by 97.8% to €40.7 million. The CEO, Corrado Arturo Peraboni, highlights organic growth in core trade fair products such as KEY and Vicenzaoro, and investments supporting their 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. EBITDA adjusted is at €65.9 million, a €16.4 million increase, with an EBITDA margin improvement to 26.4%. EBIT adjusted reached €47.7 million, up €16.3 million, while net profit grew by €19.3 million to €32.5 million. Organized Event revenues, covering 61.8% of total, rose by 27% to €154.6 million. Acquisitions in 2024 include 51% of Palakiss S.r.l. for approximately €1.3 million, Expo InfraFM in Brazil, and a 51% stake in Vending Expo S.r.l. for about €4.1 million.

🏠 Gruppo UNA rebrands as UNA Italian Hospitality to enhance its position as a symbol of authentic Italian hospitality for an increasing international clientele. CEO Giorgio Marchegiani notes that around two-thirds of revenue comes from international guests, a figure that is expected to rise. Highlighting Italian characteristics, the company focuses on tailored attention to detail. A revamped website, www.unaitalianhospitality.com, features a modern interface catering to leisure and business travelers, aiming to boost direct bookings, strengthen MICE segment interaction, and improve restaurant service visibility.

✈ Malaysia Airlines celebrated its service milestone with a return flight from Kuala Lumpur to Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport, boasting high occupancy rates of 95% and 98% on the inaugural outbound and return flights, signifying strong demand for travel between Malaysia and France. From March 22 to 27, 2025, the airline will operate four weekly flights, transitioning to daily flights starting March 29. A partnership with American Airlines allows travelers access to additional U.S. destinations from Paris, including New York (JFK), Dallas (DFW), Miami (MIA), and Orlando (ORD).

🛳️ The 2025 Venice cruise season began with Viking Star, a luxury segment ship, carrying approximately 1,800 passengers at the Fusina terminal. Coming from Capodistria, alternating between Venice and Chioggia through September, it will visit Split, Dubrovnik, Corfu, Messina, Naples, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Villefranche, with a stop in Marseille, ending in Barcelona. Viking Star has 465 cabins and is a small-sized ship, aligned with Vtp's sustainable cruise model. Venice and Chioggia's ports expect 644,000 passengers, up from 634,000 in 2024, with 514 calls (492 last year). Ocean cruise lines visiting the lagoon will increase from 21 to 25, with ships rising to 50 units (from 45), including 4 new in Venice. Over 95% of cruises operate in 'home port' mode, and high-end ship calls are expected to rise by 16%.

🍕 Chef Express, part of the Cremonini Group, inaugurated a new food hall at Padova railway station on March 20, with a €2 million investment. The food hall offers brands like Italico, McDonald's, and soon Alice Pizza, creating around 60 jobs. Padova's station, with approximately 11 million passengers annually, enhances the commercial and urban experience. Chef Express operates 560 outlets with a 2024 turnover of €827 million, with a presence in 54 railway stations, 15 airports, and manages 57 roadside dining areas, plus 120 trains served daily in 5 European countries.

🏡 Armani Hotel Milano joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts' Legend Collection, located in Milan's fashion district at the historic Manzoni 31 building. The hotel has 95 rooms, offers services such as dedicated Lifestyle Managers, Armani/Ristorante, and Armani/SPA with six treatment rooms, a couples suite, steam, sauna, and a relaxation pool. Roberta Possenti, Vice President Europe of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, expressed delight in welcoming the hotel to their collection. Guests can enroll in I Prefer Hotel Rewards, part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts which represents over 600 properties in 80 countries.