Antico Forno della Romagna (AFR), a leading company in the frozen bakery products sector for large-scale retail trade and the Ho.Re.Ca. channel, has acquired 100% of Grano Vivo, a company specializing in frozen and shelf-stable bakery products, with a focus on toast and sandwich bread. The operation, supported by Orienta Partners and Fondo Agroalimentare Italiano I, shareholders of AFR, aims to expand the company's offering in the shelf-stable products segment and strengthen its presence in the tramezzini market.
The acquisition stems from a shared strategic vision between AFR and Grano Vivo, which allows combining the skills of both companies to respond to the growing demand for innovative and quality products. Ignazio and Marta Omodeo Zorini, previous owners of Grano Vivo, will continue to collaborate with AFR to facilitate the handover and contribute to the development of the company.
The integration between the two companies also includes an increase in production capacity and the hiring of new staff, with the aim of enhancing internal skills and promoting growth. Denis Boldrin, currently Director of Research and Development at AFR, will take over the leadership of Grano Vivo, with the task of developing synergies and promoting continuous innovation.
Massimiliano Bassi, CEO of AFR, said that the acquisition represents a significant opportunity for the company, thanks to the complementarity between Grano Vivo's experience in shelf-stable products and AFR's experience in frozen foods. Grano Vivo, under the leadership of CEO Ignazio Omodeo Zorini, sees the partnership with AFR as a strategic choice to grow and address market challenges.
The operation is part of a broader development plan that will lead AFR to close 2024 with a turnover of approximately 40 million euros. Francesco Orazi, Manager of the Fondo Agroalimentare Italiano I, highlighted how the acquisition strengthens AFR's position from both a commercial and production point of view. Augusto Balestra, Chairman of Orienta Partners, underlined the strategic role of the operation in consolidating AFR's competitiveness in the bakery segment, opening up new growth opportunities in the market.
