Apheon has acquired a majority of Salice, an Italian family business specialized in the production of high-quality food ingredients for the industrial ice cream, dairy and confectionary sectors.
Founded in 1934 by the Cherubini family and headquartered near Perugia, Italy, Salpa is the European leader specialized in the production of cookie-based ingredients and inclusions for the industrial ice cream, dairy and confectionary sectors. The Company is globally recognized for its quality products, distinctive production know-how, and innovative proprietary technologies. Salpa employs more than 250 people across its three wholly-owned production facilities in Italy, managing all production activities internally.
The Carlyle Group has acquired an 80% stake in Irca, a leading European producer of artisanal pastry, ice-cream and baking products, from Ardian and the Company’s founding 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 has experienced strong growth over the last four years, posting a CAGR of 10% and 26% in revenues and EBITDA respectively. The Company’s 2016 revenues were around €251 million, of which approximately 25% was generated outside of Italy, with EBITDA of approximately €40 million.