A European holding company of Ferrara Candy Company announced that it has entered into exclusive discussions to acquire CPK Group (“CPK”), a French manufacturer and distributor of popular candies and chocolates, from Eurazeo, a leading global investment group. Ferrara Candy Company is a Ferrero-affiliated company. The proposed transaction will be submitted to the relevant employee representative bodies for consultation and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
The planned acquisition would aim to combine CPK’s strong position in the European confectionery market with Ferrara Candy Company’s broad portfolio of sugar confections and history of breakthrough innovation and value creation, bringing more enjoyment to consumers across Europe and strengthening Ferrara’s platform for continued growth. CPK would continue to be operated from Francefor French consumers and beyond.
Created in 2017 following the acquisition of 14 brands from Mondelez and the combination in 2018 with the company Lamy Lutti, CPK is home to iconic candy and chocolate brands. The group is mainly active in three market segments: candy (notably with Carambar, Lutti, Krema, Michoko brands), milk chocolate with the British brand Terry’s, and French chocolate brands such as Poulain and 1848, all of which are poised for growth.
Headquartered in Chicago for more than 115 years and privately held, Ferrara Candy Company is a sugar confections company with sales in more than 40 countries. It manufactures iconic brands such as NERDS®, Jelly Belly®, SweeTARTS®, and Dori.
“CPK is a great portfolio of candy and chocolate brands well loved by the French and European consumer,” said Marco Capurso, Chief Executive Officer of Ferrara Candy Company. “We are honoured to be the possible future owner of this company and to work with its talented team and beloved brands.”
Upon close of the proposed acquisition, CPK’s more than 900 employees would join Ferrara Candy Company. CPK currently has French manufacturing holdings in Bondues, Saint-Genest, Strasbourg, and Vichy, and all would be acquired by Ferrara Candy Company’s holding company as part of the transaction.
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Editor: Kiran Grewal kgrewal@kennedys.co.uk
