Emmi is to buy Italian Fresh Foods (IFF), based in Lasnigo, Como (Italy). IFF is an international company which manufactures and markets Italian desserts. The acquisition will, it said, allow Emmi to strengthen its position in the dessert segment and reinforce its expertise in an attractive niche market.

The company said that the dessert segment is a key area of Emmis product portfolio. Since the acquisition of Italian dessert specialists A-27 (2012) and Rachelli (2013), Emmi says it has enjoyed a solid position in Italian speciality desserts. The purchase of Italian Fresh Foods (IFF) is intended to further boost expertise at Emmi and reinforce its position in this growing niche market. IFF also provides access to the Netherlands, USA and Canadian markets, wher Emmi has so far had little presence in desserts.

“Italian Fresh Foods is an agile, innovative manufacturer of high-quality Italian desserts,” said Urs Riedener, CEO of Emmi. “The product portfolio suits Emmi extremely well and strengthens a segment that is strategically important for the company.”

IFF is a family-run company, and its best-known brand Dolce Italia started out on its success story in 1992 with tiramisù. Today, the IFF product range includes many other well-known traditional Italian desserts in addition to this. IFF generates sales of almost €20 million, 85 % of which comes from outside Italy. Emmi says the company has been characterised by strong and constant growth in the last five years. Key markets are the Netherlands and the UK.

Emmi said it will keep the current production structure in Lasnigo. Flavio Pok, founder and CEO, will remain in charge of the company.