Barilla Scoops Up Canadian Dry Pasta Brand Catelli

Italian food company Barilla Group closed its purchase of the Catelli dry pasta business in Canada on January 29, adding the Catelli, Lancia and Splendor dry pasta brands to its portfolio. The deal also included Catelli’s manufacturing site in Montreal, QC.

“Given the synergies between our business strategies, commitments and values, Catelli dry pasta is a natural fit for the expansion of our business,” Claudio Colzani, chief executive officer of Barilla Group, said in a company release. “This acquisition will help underscore the importance of our responsibility to not only serve and satisfy the ever-changing needs of consumers through innovation, but also to anticipate them.”

The companies plan to work together on Transition Services Agreements that will enable the businesses to share critical information and services.

While the acquisition expands Barilla Group’s presence in North America, the company said it intends to invest €1 billion in Italy through 2024, including its pasta production sites.

Powder & Bulk Solids reported in June 2020 that Nestle, Ajinomoto, and Barilla’s food innovation arm, Blu1877China, have joined China Food Tech Hub, the consortium organized by Bits x Bites to foster startup-corporate cooperation.