Italy: Solana acquires Desco

Solana SpA (Xenon Private Equity) strengthens its competitive position in the processing of tomatoes and vegetable products with the acquisition of Desco SpA. The transaction consolidates the Solana Group’s leadership in the processing of tomatoes for industrial use and food service, with an expected total turnover of approximately €100 million.

Solana SpA, a subsidiary of the Xenon Private Equity VIII Fund, has finalised the acquisition of Desco SpA, an Italian agri-food company specialising in tomato processing for the industrial and food service sectors.

The transaction is part of the external growth strategy launched by the Solana Group, led by CEO Antonio Casana and supported by Xenon, aimed at creating an integrated player of reference in the European vegetable preserves market, with an expected consolidated turnover of approximately €100 million.

Founded in 1963 and based in central Italy, Desco SpA is a long-established family-run company specialising in the production of tomato products (pulps, purées and concentrates) for industrial and food service customers. 

With a turnover of €19 million, the company boasts a solid and loyal customer base and a consolidated international presence that accounts for approximately 60% of its revenues. In recent years, Desco SpA has made significant investments in technological innovation and energy efficiency, with the aim of reducing its environmental impact, optimising production costs and maintaining high quality standards.

Following the transaction, Marco and Fabio Serafini, directors of Desco, will remain at the helm of the company, ensuring management continuity and overseeing industrial and commercial relations. The confirmation of the management team underlines the desire to preserve the entrepreneurial culture and enhance the skills and know-how acquired in over sixty years of activity.

The acquisition of Desco follows that of Suncan S.p.A. in December 2024, which produces high-quality, PDO-certified fruit preserves and tomato and basil products.

With these two transactions, the Solana Group consolidates its leadership in terms of profitability in Italy in the tomato, fruit and vegetable processing sector, with an expected total turnover of approximately €100 million. The integration of Desco expands the Group’s geographical presence, broadens its product portfolio, generates commercial and operational synergies with benefits in terms of efficiency, economies of scale and sustainability, while mitigating climate risks as it will be possible to draw on two production areas in northern and central-southern Italy, strengthening the entire supply chain, which represents Italian excellence. 

The Group’s new scope represents an integrated, technologically advanced industrial model focused on quality excellence and sustainability in line with the ESG criteria promoted by the Xenon fund.