The GranTerre Group strengthens its international presence with the acquisition of 100% of Pimpernel Wharf, a British company specializing in the marketing and distribution of cheeses and cured meats. The transaction, completed through its subsidiary Caseifici GranTerre, allows the Italian agri-food group to consolidate its position in the United Kingdom and complete the first phase of its internationalization plan, which includes a direct commercial presence in key foreign markets.
Founded in the 1960s by the Stuart family and headquartered in Reigate, Surrey, south of London, Pimpernel Wharf is a well-established British food retailer, offering fresh and mature cheeses, specialty dairy products, and continental cured meats. The company generates annual revenues of approximately £16,9 million and operates primarily in the retail, food processing, and foodservice sectors.
The weight of Italian products in the company's turnover is particularly significant: Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano together account for approximately 22% of the turnover, while cured meats account for 7%. Private labels also play a significant role, generating approximately 30% of sales, confirming the importance of supplies to distributor brands.
With this acquisition, GranTerre completes its direct presence in the six international markets identified as priorities in its strategic plan: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland. The availability of a network of sales branches allows the group to strengthen relationships with local distributors, develop new sales opportunities, and promote Italian agri-food products in foreign markets.
"The completion of this acquisition represents an important milestone in GranTerre's international growth and the culmination of a project we have pursued with determination over the past few years," stated Maurizio Moscatelli, CEO of the group. "Having a direct presence in our key markets means we can develop closer relationships with customers, better understand local dynamics, and better leverage the quality of our products. With Pimpernel Wharf, we are strengthening our commercial capabilities in the UK and providing the entire Group with an even more robust and integrated international platform, with development opportunities for both cheeses and cured meats."
The operation is part of GranTerre's strategy, which aims to maintain its manufacturing roots in Italy while complementing an increasingly complex international distribution network. Formed in 2019 from the merger of Grandi Salumifici Italiani and Parmareggio, the fully cooperatively owned group includes brands such as Parmareggio, Parmacotto, Casa Modena, Senfter, Agriform, and Alcisa.
GranTerre operates 23 production facilities in Italy, including a logistics hub, and two in the United States, with over 3.200 employees and contractors. It exports to 74 countries and generates total revenues of €1,87 billion, of which over €600 million is generated in international markets. The UK acquisition represents a further step in strengthening the international distribution of Italian cheeses and cured meats.
