The Kraft Heinz Company has officially announced its intention to divest its Italian Baby and Specialty Food business to Italy’s NewPrinces Group. This strategic move aligns with emerging trends in the food and beverage industry, focusing on enhancing portfolio management and driving growth.
The transaction, disclosed today, will result in the transfer of infant food brands Plasmon, Nipiol, and Dieterba, alongside specialty food brands Aproten and Biaglut. It also includes Kraft Heinz’s production facility located in Latina, Italy, which plays a vital role in food manufacturing and processing technology. This facility employs approximately 300 individuals and produces around 1.8 billion biscuits annually for Plasmon.
NewPrinces has assured that all jobs will remain secure and that the factory will continue to operate seamlessly following the sale’s completion. This commitment illustrates their focus on sustainability in the food distribution sector.
“This marks an important milestone in driving our strategy across Europe and the Pacific, enabling us to fuel investment and growth in our core areas, and enhance focus on our Accelerate platforms,” states Willem Brandt, president of Europe and Pacific Developed Markets at Kraft Heinz. He emphasizes that this initiative exemplifies the proactive management of their portfolio to accelerate organic growth and ensure sustainable, long-term value.
Moreover, this move is integral to the multinational’s strategy of fostering profitable growth through its Accelerate platforms, which encompass key products such as tomato ketchups, mayonnaises, table sauces, and pasta sauces. By adhering to food and drink industry innovation, Kraft Heinz remains competitive in an evolving market.
“I’m confident this portfolio of iconic brands will thrive in the capable hands of the NewPrinces Group – a market leader in the food and beverage industry, including in specialised nutrition, with a strong Italian heritage and ambitious growth plans,” comments Carmela Bazzarelli, managing director of Kraft Heinz Italia. She also reiterates the company’s commitment to Italy and the advancement of the iconic Heinz brand throughout the country.
The NewPrinces Group, formerly known as Newlat Food, specializes in food and beverage, maintaining a robust global supply network that offers an array of branded and private label products across the UK and Europe. This transformation to NewPrinces Group occurred after acquiring Princes Limited in 2024, further enriching its portfolio that includes brands like Princes, Napolina, Delverde, Branston (beans), and sunflower oil brand Flora.
Currently, the deal is awaiting regulatory approval and is anticipated to be finalized by year-end. Interestingly, both parties have yet to disclose the transaction’s financial details, a common practice amid food and drink regulations.