Sunday, June 11, 2017

Carlyle to Buy Italian Sweet Supplier


A Carlyle Group press release stated:

Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) has today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the majority shareholding of the Italian company IRCA, a large European manufacturer of ingredients and food products for pastry-making, baking and ice-cream retailing. Carlyle will acquire an 80% shareholding from Ardian and the company’s founding Nobili family, who will continue to manage the company.

Established in 1919, Irca has a prominent position in the artisanal pastry and ice-cream markets, expanding its European presence across France, Germany, Spain and Eastern Europe, renowned for the quality of its product offering, which currently totals nearly 1800 lines. Irca currently distributes its products in approximately 70 countries, through a strong network of long-standing distributors.

Mr Roberto Nobili, member of the fourth generation of entrepreneurs, will continue to retain his role as Irca’s CEO.
It will be interesting to see how the founding family mixes with Carlyle.  The Brintons' family had nothing nice to say about Carlyle and its PEU ways.


Carlyle expects high end desserts to grow.  As the rich get richer does their appetite for sweets grow?  Finally, Carlyle will have an affiliate with the mission "Let them eat cake, with a dollop of ice cream."  Fitting for our PEU world.