Charterhouse's Optima carves out Pernigotti's ice-cream unit

Optima specialises in manufacturing ingredients for ice-cream under the brand Mec3. The company acquired patisserie decoration specialist Modecor in 2017 and ice-cream and patisserie ingredients maker Giuso Guido in 2018.

With this last acquisition, Optima will add the Pernigotti Maestri Gelatieri Italiani brand to its product offering. The group expects to reach a turnover of around €190m in 2019.

Optima was acquired by Charterhouse from the Riverside Company and other minority shareholders in 2016. The GP deployed capital from its Fund X, a €2.3bn vehicle that held a final close in November 2016. The deal valued the company at around €350-400m.

Pernigotti is currently controlled by Turkey-based food group Toksoz, which announced the closure of the company's oldest factory based in Novi Ligure in 2018.

Company
Established in 1868 and based in Novi Ligure, Pernigotti Ice & Pastry is part of the Pernigotti group and produces ingredients for ice-cream, including fruit and dairy bases, flavourings, decorations and toppings.

The company markets its products under the Pernigotti Maestri Gelatieri Italiani brand. Pernigotti recorded revenues of €21.3m in H1 2018, half of which came from its ice-cream division.

People
Optima – Francesco Fattori (CEO).
Pernigotti – Pierluigi Colombi (chief financial officer).

Advisers
Acquirer – Gianni Origoni Grippo Cappelli Partners (legal).
Vendor – Baker McKenzie (legal).

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