Gruppo GranTerre acquisisce Pimpernel Wharf per rafforzare la presenza nel Regno Unito

Gruppo GranTerre acquisisce Pimpernel Wharf in UK to bolster presence in the UK

The GranTerre Group, a major player in the dairy sector with annual revenues of over £1.8 billion, has announced the acquisition of Pimpernel Wharf, a UK-based specialist in the marketing and distribution of cheeses and charcuterie. The operation, completed by Caseifici GranTerre through the acquisition of 100% of the company's shares, is described in a press release as a strategic step representing the completion of the first phase of the Group's internationalization plan, aimed at developing a direct presence in all major export markets for Italian cheeses and charcuterie.

Based in Reigate, Surrey, just south of London, Pimpernel Wharf was founded in the 1960s by the Stuart family. The company is a well-established operator in the UK market, distributing a wide range of food products with a particular focus on traditional and specialty cheeses and continental charcuterie. Its annual revenue of around £16.9 million comes largely from retail, industry, and foodservice channels.

Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano account for about 22% of revenues, while charcuterie represents roughly 7%. Private label sales make up about 30% of total sales.

Gruppo GranTerre's press release states that the acquisition of Pimpernel Wharf completes the Group's direct presences in key international markets identified in its strategic plan: the United States, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland. The Group can now count on a network of sales offices in key markets, managed by its own organization, with the goal of strengthening customer proximity, more effectively intercepting consumer needs, and leveraging its Italian food industry strengths abroad.

"It is the culmination of a project we have pursued with determination over the past years," said GranTerre Group CEO Maurizio Moscatelli. Being present directly in the main reference markets allows for closer relationships with customers, a better understanding of local dynamics, and better valorization of product quality. With Pimpernel Wharf, GranTerre further strengthens its commercial capacity in the UK and provides the entire Group with an even stronger and more integrated international platform, with opportunities for growth in both cheese and charcuterie.

GranTerre Spa was formed on January 1, 2019, from the merger of two historic Italian agri-food realities: Grandi Salumifici Italiani Spa (now Salumifici GranTerre Spa) and Parmareggio Spa (now Caseifici GranTerre Spa). Under cooperative ownership, it is controlled by the Granterre Sca Consortium. In addition to the company name and brand federator GranTerre, the Group includes several other brands such as Parmareggio, Parmacotto, Casa Modena, Senfter, Agriform, Alcisa, Teneroni, LiberaMente, and others.

The Group owns 23 production facilities in Italy, including a logistics center, and 2 foreign subsidiaries in the US, 6 foreign subsidiaries, over 3,200 employees and collaborators, and exports to 74 countries worldwide. The annual revenue is £1.87 billion, of which over £600 million comes from abroad.