Ferrero Buys Italian Frozen Bakery Producer Fresystem

The Ferrero Group has acquired Italian frozen bakery firm Fresystem. Fresystem produces loose bakery products for bars (brioche, muffins, sfogliatelle) under the Cupiello brand and also for large retailers and other commercial chains. The company was founded in 1983 and acquired by the Simioli family in 1991. It had a EUR60m (US$65m) turnover in 2021. 

Fresystem operates through its production hub in Caivano (Naples), from where it produces and distributes Cupiello branded products and operates as a contract manufacturer.

The company has been working alongside Ferrero for a number of years, for which it already produces Nutella muffins that can be found in large chains such as Autogrill and McDonald’s. The acquisition is part of Ferrero’s strategic growth path in the high-potential segment of sweet out-of-home.

The Caivano plant becomes Ferrero’s second production hub in Campania and joins the group’s existing plant in Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi in the province of Avellino.

The transaction, subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the coming months, Ferrero said in a statement. The sum was not disclosed.