Italy: La Doria acquires Solana Group

La Doria – a leading European supplier of long shelf-life Italian private label specialties, including tomatoes, ready-to-use sauces, canned pulses, and pasta – announces that it has entered into a share purchase agreement with Eight Holding One S.à r.l. – an investment vehicle held by funds managed by Xenon Private Equity – and with the minority shareholder, for the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Solana Società Agricola S.p.A. (“Solana”) and, indirectly, its subsidiaries Suncan S.p.A. and Desco S.p.A. (collectively, the “Solana Group”).

The Solana Group specialises in tomato processing, which accounts for approximately 91% of its revenues, with a product portfolio including chopped tomatoes, tomato paste and tomato purée, as well as other vegetable-based products (including fruit, basil and pumpkin), representing the remaining 9%.

In 2025, the Solana Group reported revenues of approximately €90 million (financial year ended June 2025).

Solana was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Maccastorna, in the province of Lodi. In 2024, it entered the semi-processed fruit and vegetable segment through the acquisition of Suncan S.p.A. (based in the province of Piacenza). It further expanded its presence in Central Italy with the acquisition of Desco S.p.A. (based in the province of Latina) in 2025. With three production plants, the Solana Group has a total processing capacity of approximately 285,000 tonnes per year and a total industrial area of around 200,000 square metres. Its workforce consists of 46 employees, supported by approximately 210 seasonal workers.

The Solana Group operates as a supplier to leading industrial clients, which account for approximately 70% of its revenues, and is also active in the foodservice channel, representing 30% of revenues. All production is carried out in Italy, with a fully domestic supply chain. Its customer portfolio includes major international operators in the production of tomato-based sauces, pizzas and condiments, with whom the Solana Group has built long-standing relationships across Italy, Europe and Japan.

This transaction represents a significant opportunity for La Doria to strengthen its position in the tomato segment, expand its production and sourcing network in Northern and Central Italy, and benefit from access to a diversified and high-profile industrial customer base, with additional cross-selling opportunities in the foodservice channel. Following the transaction, La Doria will operate 15 production plants across Italy: 7 in the South, 1 in the Centre and 7 in the North.

Commenting on the acquisition, Antonio Ferraioli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of La Doria, stated:
“This transaction represents a strategic step in the Group’s growth path in synergistic and key sectors. The acquisition of the Solana Group will enable us to strengthen our production capacity in tomato-based products for the industrial and foodservice channels, through the addition of an operator recognised for its premium positioning. At the same time, it will allow us to further enhance the Group’s geographic diversification across Italy. Through a growth path built over time via targeted acquisitions, industrial investments and the progressive integration of acquired businesses, La Doria is now able to respond with increasing effectiveness and flexibility to the needs of large-scale retail and customers worldwide.”

Franco Prestigiacomo, Co-CEO of Xenon, commented: “We are proud of the growth achieved together with Solana’s management over the years, which confirms Xenon’s expertise in building platforms with strong industrial value. We supported the Group in its growth strategy, including the acquisition of Suncan and the expansion into Central Italy with Desco, consolidating its premium positioning in the industrial and foodservice channels. La Doria represents the ideal partner to support Solana in its next phase of development, thanks to strategic complementarity and the strength of its industrial project.”

The completion of the transaction is subject to certain conditions precedent, including the receipt of the required antitrust approvals. Closing is expected to take place by the end of September 2026.

Source: La Doria