Charterhouse to sell Nuova Castelli to Lactalis Group Italia

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Nuova Castelli focuses on premium private-label Italian Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheese products such as Parmigiano Reggiano. Pic: ©Getty Images/nitrub

UK-based private equity company Charterhouse Capital Partners has agreed to sell Nuova Castelli, a producer and distributor of speciality Italian cheese, to Gruppo Lactalis Italia.

Headquartered in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Nuova Castelli is a distributor and the largest exporter of speciality Italian cheese and food products to European blue-chip retail chains and other food retailers.

Nuova Castelli’s core business is focused primarily on premium private-label Italian Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheese products such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano and Gorgonzola. Nuova Castelli employs more than 1,000 people in its plants.

Charterhouse acquired Nuova Castelli in May 2014 from its founder. Charterhouse said under its ownership, Nuova Castelli has grown its international footprint, established new relationships with retailers and experienced further growth, including the acquisition of Alival in Italy, North Coast in Poland and Empire Speciality Cheese in the US in 2016.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.