Swiss food group Orior has acquired full ownership of Italian fresh pasta manufacturer Pastificio Gaetarelli, enhancing its foothold in the food and beverage industry trends.
In a statement released on March 2, Orior announced that it purchased the remaining 81% stake for a transaction valued in the “mid single-digit millions.” This strategic move signals Orior’s commitment to growth in the premium fresh pasta segment, which aligns well with current food and drink consumer trends.
Based in Salò on Lake Garda, Pastificio Gaetarelli provides pasta to both retail and foodservice clients. Orior emphasized that it has engaged in a close operational partnership with Pastificio Gaetarelli for years, making the acquisition a “logical and forward-looking next step” in their collaborative relationship.
Gaetarelli, which employs approximately 30 staff members, will continue to function as an independent entity in Italy. Orior is intentionally preserving the company’s identity and local roots. Organizationally, Pastificio Gaetarelli will be managed by Orior’s pasta-focused unit, Pastinella, and will operate under Orior Food AG.
This acquisition is projected to contribute a low single-digit million amount in sales from European customers. Moreover, it coincides with Orior’s extensive restructuring program designed to reduce debt, a critical focus in the current food and drink business landscape.
In August, Orior reported a 2.9% decline in net sales, totaling SFr304.9m ($378.05m), with EBIT falling by 55.2% to SFr4.1m. Furthermore, net profit attributable to shareholders plummeted 78.9% to SFr1.3m. While the company managed to reduce net debt to SFr173.3m from SFr181.4m at the year-end, the leverage ratio remains elevated at 5.2x adjusted EBITDA—significantly higher than Orior’s target of below 2.5x.
Looking ahead, Orior anticipates further debt reduction, projecting net debt to reach approximately SFr153m by the end of 2025. The company aims to strengthen its balance sheet consistently and has indicated expected net sales of SFr623m in 2025, a slight organic decline of 1.5%, which is an improvement over the anticipated 2-4% downturn.
Inquiries have been directed to Orior regarding the ongoing review of its Culinor Food Group assets, with the expectation that the company will release its 2025 financial results later this month. This acquisition not only bolsters Orior’s market position but also reflects the evolving dynamics within the food and drinks sector, where careful strategic planning is essential for sustained growth.
