Italian dairy group Sabelli has expanded its portfolio by acquiring local peer Stella Bianca from the Latte Montagna Alto Adige (Mila) cooperative. The financial details of the transaction, set to close next month, were not disclosed in a statement from Sabelli, based in Ascoli Piceno in Italy’s Marche region. Following the acquisition, Sabelli anticipates an annual turnover exceeding €320m ($346.9m) and an EBITDA of over €41m. Currently, the company’s turnover stands at €270m.
Stella Bianca, located in Lodi within the Lombardy region, produces a variety of dairy products, including cheese, cream cheese, stracchino, robiola, caprino, and goat’s cheese. The company offers both its own brands, Stella Bianca and Petit Suisse, as well as private-label products for Italian retailers.
Sabelli’s expansion strategy aims to diversify into adjacent segments and accelerate development projects. Joint CEOs Simone Mariani and Angelo Galeati expressed their vision for the company’s growth in the fresh spreadable cheese division through the acquisition of Stella Bianca. Furthermore, Sabelli’s brand range includes its namesake line, Natura Sincera, and Valle D’Aveto, offering a variety of cheeses such as mozzarella, burrata, ricotta, and caciotta.
CEO Mariani highlighted the broader expansion strategy by mentioning the 2016 acquisition of Trevisanalat, another mozzarella cheese maker. Co-CEO Galeati emphasized the goal of consolidating Sabelli’s reputation as a high-quality private-label supplier while also positioning the Sabelli brand as a specialist in fresh produce.
Mila, the cooperative selling Stella Bianca, operates two factories in Bolzano and Brunico, specializing in South Tyrolean cow’s milk and goat’s milk products. The co-op is known for its range of dairy products, including mozzarella, yogurt, cheese, cream, and butter.
