Fusioni & Acquisizioni

🍦 Sammontana and Plasmon, two historic Italian brands, have partnered for a new Plasmon-flavored ice cream available by summer 2025. The product comes in two versions: stick and bulk tub format. The stick, weighing 47g, will be sold in packs of four in supermarkets and individually in bars. The 5-liter tub is designed for professional catering and was unveiled at Sigep 2025. The ice cream combines fresh milk and Plasmon biscuit, aiming to evoke childhood memories and cater to all ages.

📹 At SIGEP 2025, HorecaTV's Fabio Russo interviewed Vincenzo Casone, Marketing Manager of Nutis, owner of Caffè Barbaro. Caffè Barbaro is focusing on international expansion, investing in coffee machines, including the Barby model. Nutis offers a full range of compatible capsules, increasing its workforce and maintaining quality despite industry challenges.

🍾 French Champagne house Vranken-Pommery Monopole partners with Italian food and beverage distribution leader D&C S.p.A. to expand market presence and increase awareness of Vranken Champagne in Italy. D&C is now the official distributor of Vranken's prestigious Cuvée Diamant and Demoiselle. The collaboration aims to align shared values of excellence, tradition, and environmental respect, aspiring to offer Italian enthusiasts a premium tasting experience through quality and passion-driven heritage.

✈ Ita Airways, after Lufthansa's entry, announces operational upgrades for Summer 2025: transfer of ground and flight operations to Frankfurt's T1 and Munich's T2, offering reduced transfer times and expedited security. New Milan Linate-Munich direct flight added with two daily frequencies on weekdays and one on weekends, totaling 59 destinations with 16 intercontinental, 27 international, and 16 national, plus 12 seasonal destinations. Over 130 lounges worldwide available to Ita Airways passengers.

🍪 Vandemoortele, a Belgian family-owned food group, is set to acquire Délifrance, a major European frozen bakery producer with over 3,200 employees, 14 production sites, and an annual turnover of around €930 million as of June 30, 2024. Délifrance, a B2B global brand, operates mainly in Europe and Asia. The merger will create a global player with a combined revenue of roughly €2.4 billion and is expected to conclude by the end of 2025. Vandemoortele has 3,500 employees, 28 production sites, and its bakery division estimates revenues of €1.4 billion. The new group aims for international expansion, innovation, and sustainable value creation, serving both retail and foodservice sectors.

🍷 Famiglia Fratini launches Tenuta Fratini in Bolgheri with an innovative vision enhancing the region's authentic essence. Bolgheri's viticultural potential was recognized by the Della Gherardesca family in 1816. Tenuta Fratini, with vineyards between 80-235 meters above sea level, focuses on high-altitude viticulture. World-renowned oenologist Eric Boissenot partners for the first time in DOC Bolgheri, alongside Emiliano Falsini and a technical team. They meticulously mapped the estate's 1,300 hectares, selecting only 28 for high-quality viticulture. The team, including Pedro Parra, used Soil Electro-Conductivity to identify the best micro-parcels, resulting in wines reflecting the terroir's complexity. Tenuta Fratini produces three exceptional wines: Hortense (Bolgheri Superiore DOC), Harte (Bolgheri Superiore DOC), and Clinio (IGT Toscana). This project represents a bold and innovative future for Bolgheri's viticulture.

🍕 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.