Press

Arezzo, March 23 2015
Next Advisor Srl led by Paolo Ragazzi, an Advisory company specialized in M&A transactions in cooperation with Crowe Horwath AS within the Crowe Horwath International network, assisted Fratelli Pagani Spa as their Financial Advisor in its entrance into La Collina Toscana.
Fratelli Pagani Spa, a leading company within the world of spices, flavorings and functional ingredients for the industrial and productive market in Italy, acquired a 30% stake of La Collina Toscana Spa, which is also active within the spices industry but more focused on retail and consumers.
La Collina Toscana, founded in 2000 by Alberto Ricci, current majority shareholder, has its Head Office in Poppi (Arezzo). Known for the Montosco and Collitali brands, it is particularly active within the mass market retail, Autogrill and Horeca channel. La Collina Toscana reported a turnover of € 17 mln for the last fiscal year, with exports being a strong component both European and world level.
Fratelli Pagani was set up in 1909 in Milan where it has its historical Head Office. Today it is led by Marco and Francesco Cardazzi, fourth generation, who have managed the growth for the last 15 years. Fratelli Pagani, with a turnover of € 23 mln, is the undisputed leader in the field of spices, flavorings and functional ingredients addressed to the meat – and related products, supplies the major Italian food companies in this sector and it is having a constant growth in foreign markets.
in cooperation with
Dott. Paolo Ragazzi Corporate Finance paolo.ragazzi@ crowehorwath-as.it
HEAD OFFICE Piazza Castello, 26, 20121 Milan Phone: +39 02 45391500 Fax. +39 02 4390711
“The entrance of Fratelli Pagani is fundamental to pursue the development strategy both on the Italian market and, above all, on the foreign markets” Alberto Ricci stated; “we had several partnership offers but I believe that the professionalism, the managerial approach and mostly the excellent company results both in terms of growth and profitability make Fratelli Pagani the ideal partner for La Collina; not forgetting the strong synergies that may arise in terms of research and development, products portfolio, distribution channels and purchases of raw material.” On his side, Marco Cardazzi comments: “We are more than convinced that our growth will also be because of a careful plan of acquisitions. After some small acquisitions in our industry we decided to bring our expertise and professionalism in the world of retail and La Collina Toscana immediately seemed to be the ideal partner to begin with this challenge”
The current owner Alberto Ricci remains in charge, covering the role of Chairman and CO while Marco and Francesco Cardazzi, as the new partners, will enter the board with operational responsibilities.
The operation was conducted by Next Advisor in the person of Paolo Ragazzi as Advisor of Fratelli Pagani, while the acquisition due diligence was carried out by Crowe Horwath AS, their current auditing firm, with Alessandro Ruina as reference partner. For the legal and fiscal assistance, parties availed themselves of Crowe Horwath SASPI (with Alessandro Mulinacci) and Pietro Carbone and Stefano Tenti.