The transaction was arranged by a group of leading financial institutions – UniCredit (Global Coordinator), BPER, Banco BPM and CDP – and is backed by a SACE Guarantee
The funds will be used to strengthen Italpizza’s production capacity at its plants in Modena (MO), Castelbelforte (MN) and Mortara (PV)
Supporting industrial growth and competitive positioning, both nationally and internationally. These are the key objectives of the €58 million agreement finalised by Italpizza SpA, a leading producer of frozen pizzas Made in Italy, through the execution of bilateral loan agreements concluded with UniCredit (acting as Global Coordinator), Banco BPM, BPER, and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. The ten-year financing arrangements are backed by a SACE Guarantee and represent a strategic milestone for the company.
Indeed, the initiative aims to improve and expand the efficiency and production capacity of the plants in Modena, Castelbelforte (MN) and Mortara (PV), contributing to the development of an advanced industrial model capable of responding more promptly to market demands and the most cutting-edge technological standards.
Founded in 1991, the Italpizza Group is a market leader in pizza production, with 60% of its turnover generated abroad in 58 countries. It has an annual production capacity of over 460 million units, both under its own brand and for leading global retailers. The Group is distinguished by a business model based on a wide range of technologies, with its core business focused on a premium production method that replicates traditional Italian pizzeria processes on an industrial scale. This exclusive artisanal process includes over 24 hours of dough leavening, manual stretching and topping, and baking exclusively in a wood-fired oven.
The financing forms part of a broader investment plan aimed at reaching a total production capacity of 575 million pizzas by 2028, and includes the construction of a logistics hub to optimise product distribution nationally and internationally, while supporting the Group’s ongoing growth in the coming years.
"On behalf of the entire Italpizza Group, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the team at the leading financial institutions – UniCredit, Banco BPM, BPER and CDP – who supported this transaction and demonstrated full confidence in our industrial development plan," said Andrea Bondioli, Managing Director and General Manager of the Italpizza Group. "This financing is part of our broader growth and development strategy. It will provide the financial resources needed to support all the strategic initiatives under way, with continued focus on research and development – a fundamental priority for us – and on achieving increasingly ambitious commercial objectives."
Matteo Rusciadelli, CDP Business Manager: "We’re pleased to once again support an outstanding Italian player in the agri-food sector like Italpizza in improving its competitive positioning both through the sustainable expansion of its production capacity and the further strengthening of its position both in domestic and international markets. In fact this initiative once again confirms CDP’s role as a key partner in the growth of businesses."
Andrea Burchi, Regional Manager Central-North, UniCredit: "Supporting local companies in building increasingly competitive businesses and operations focused on sustainability means accelerating the creation of value both now and for the future. For the production system and for communities. This is the goal we had in mind as we coordinated and participated in this transaction in support of Italpizza SpA, a company that from its headquarters in Modena has successfully leveraged innovation and exports to become one of the major players in the frozen foods sector. We are proud to continue supporting its growth plans. We remain firmly at its side, committed to promoting excellence Made in Italy.”
"We have always been strongly committed to supporting Italian companies in their growth and in the essential transition to a green economy,” remarked Marco Notari, Head of the Corporate Market Central-North, Banco BPM. “We strongly supported Italpizza’s initiative, which promotes Italian products, technological advancement and sustainability while respecting the supply chain. From our perspective, we reaffirm our commitment to being a trusted partner to entrepreneurs throughout all stages – both ordinary and extraordinary – of their companies’ lives.”
Massimo Lanzarini, Head of Corporate Services at BPER Banca: "BPER Banca aims to support companies in their challenges related to industrial and technological growth, which are increasingly vital for remaining competitive in today’s markets. This transaction is a clear example of our commitment to enhancing the value and growth of a leading group in the sector and supporting the global value of Italian excellence."
"We at SACE are proud to contribute concretely to this operation carried out with top-tier financial institutions, and to support a company like Italpizza in a process of growth and innovation that promotes the best of Italy’s agri-food tradition,” added Milo Bertoni, Senior Relationship Manager at SACE. “The strength of the project and the company’s long-term vision confirm the importance of encouraging increasingly modern, efficient and resilient production models capable of promoting the quality of products Made in Italy worldwide and supporting the entire national food supply chain."