Consorzio Casalasco del Pomodoro and QuattroR together for a major project on the Made in Italy tomato supply chain.

Partnership agreements finalized between QuattroR and Consorzio Casalasco del Pomodoro, the Italian leader in tomato cultivation, processing, and distribution with 550 associated farms.

QuattroR, a private equity fund that promotes the development of medium-to-large Italian companies, and Consorzio Casalasco del Pomodoro (CCdP), the Italian leader in the cultivation, processing, and distribution of industrial tomatoes, have finalized a significant investment agreement. The primary objective is to combine the values of the Italian agricultural supply chain with those of a financial operator specializing in capital strengthening and supporting the growth of excellent Italian companies, with the aim of creating one of the leading groups in the sector internationally.

The transaction will be carried out through the establishment of a Newco, CASALASCO S.p.A., 51% owned by the agricultural sector through the cooperative and CCDP Holding, and the remaining 49% by the QuattroR fund, following a 100 million Euro investment fully subscribed by QuattroR. For continuity, the shareholders confirm the current management team led by General Manager, Costantino Vaia.

Founded in 1977 in Rivarolo del Re, in the province of Cremona, as an organization of tomato producers, Consorzio Casalasco del Pomodoro today represents the leading integrated Italian supply chain for the cultivation and processing of industrial tomatoes. Casalasco currently has approximately 550 contributing farms that cultivate 7,000 hectares of land located between the provinces of Piacenza, Cremona, Parma, and Mantua. In addition to co-packing activities for the most important international food groups, the Consortium owns the Pomì and De Rica brands and is present in over 60 countries worldwide. Consorzio Casalasco is characterized by constant revenue growth, increasing over the last 20 years from €35 million in 2001 to €338 million in 2020 (+10% compared to the 2019 financial year), and an export share exceeding 70%.

In the transaction, QuattroR was assisted by Bain&Co, KPMG, and Studio GPBL, while Consorzio Casalasco was supported by Vitale&Co and Studio Talea-Tax Legal Advisory.

Costantino Vaia, General Manager of Consorzio Casalasco del Pomodoro commented: “Thanks to this transaction, the cooperative's development plan, aimed at fully realizing its potential, will be significantly accelerated. The decision to share the project with the Italian fund QuattroR, which possesses significant managerial expertise, is based not only on business objectives but also on shared fundamental values upon which Consorzio Casalasco has built its growth philosophy."

Paolo Voltini, President of Consorzio Casalasco del Pomodoro, highlights that this transaction is: “A further demonstration of foresight and openness to change from an excellent agricultural supply chain that aims to play a leading role in international markets.”

Francesco Conte, CEO of QuattroR SGR, added: “The investment in Consorzio Casalasco del Pomodoro perfectly aligns with our philosophy of supporting and enhancing leading companies in a strategic sector emblematic of the national economy, which already sees Italy ranking second globally in tomato production. Appreciating the Consortium's strategy and sharing its growth path focused on sustainability and social responsibility, QuattroR will support the current management team to accelerate the Consortium's development, both through organic growth and by evaluating potential acquisitions, while respecting the values of the agricultural sector represented by the cooperative and its supply chain, as well as the quality of Made in Italy products.”

QUATTROR

Operational since 2017, QuattroR SGR SpA is an independent private equity fund distinguished by its specific mission focused on strengthening the capital structure and relaunching Italian companies with solid fundamentals. Among the Fund's investors are Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, Inail, Inarcassa, and Cassa Forense. In addition to Consorzio Casalasco del Pomodoro, QuattroR's portfolio includes investments in Gruppo Fagioli, an internationally leading engineering company in special transport and handling, in Gruppo Ceramiche Ricchetti, a major international group active in the production and marketing of ceramic surfaces, in Gruppo Trussardi, an iconic fashion house with a strong heritage and a presence in key international markets, and in Burgo Group, an Italian and European leader in the production and distribution of graphic and specialty papers and packaging board.