Unigrains Iberia joins Taste of Italy 2 in the capital of Ñaming, the leading Spanish sandwich company

Unigrains Iberia has acquired a stake in the capital of Ñaming, a Spanish leader in the production of sandwiches as well as other ready-to-eat meals, as part of a syndication carried out by DeA Capital Alternative Funds SGR, management company of Taste of Italy 2, majority shareholder of the company since July 2024.

Unigrains Iberia, the Spanish subsidiary of Unigrains, the investor-partner of agrifood companies since 1963, will bring Ñaming its sector expertise, its network of business partners across Europe as well as its experience in the out-of-home dining and snacking sectors. As an active minority shareholder, Unigrains Iberia will support Ñaming’s development project driven by its CEO, Jorge Miranda, and DeA Capital Alternative Funds, focused on organic growth, product innovation and the expansion of distribution channels.

Ñaming is the first investment completed by Unigrains Iberia since its launch in 2023. Unigrains Iberia is a responsible, long-term investor in the capital of Spanish and Portuguese SMEs in the agri-food sector. Unigrains Iberia aims to invest between €80 and €100 million over 5 years in the capital of companies across the agri-food value chain to support their development projects in external/organic growth, internationalization or shareholder transitions, working in close proximity with management teams.

Leopoldo Reaño, Managing Director of DeA Capital Alternative Funds, declared: “We are delighted to collaborate with Unigrains Iberia in this transaction. As like-minded, sector specialized investors, we share deep understanding of the ready-to-eat segment and a common vision in support of Ñaming’s sustainable growth and development.”

Jorge Miranda, CEO of Ñaming, declared: “Unigrains is currently a partner to more than 80 agri-food companies across Europe and we have already identified several opportunities to explore together. I welcome Unigrains Iberia in the capital of our company and look forward to a strong collaboration around our common goals for our next stage of growth.”

Álvaro Hernández, CEO of Unigrains Iberia, declared: “We are convinced of Ñaming’s potential as a highly performing Spanish leader in a dynamic market segment. We will leverage Unigrains’ resources, know-how and added value approach to support Ñaming going forward.”

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Mallén (Zaragoza), Ñaming has consolidated as the leader in the sandwich market in Spain with sustained double-digit growth over the last years. Its wide catalogue of ready-to-eat products ranges from sandwiches and snacks to salads, wraps, yoghurts, cut fruit, smoothies and desserts. With a turnover of over €40 million and a team of 350 employees, the company is finalizing the launch of a new product range. This step is framed within its strategy of diversifying its offer, thus reinforcing its commitment to innovation and service excellence, two key elements of its success.

The Group, IFS Food certified in its two plants in Mallén (Zaragoza) and Madrid, manufactures more than 200.000 units a day with the highest quality and safety standards.

About Unigrains

Unigrains, an investment company specializing in the agri-food and agro-industry sectors, has been supporting companies for 60 years, providing their managers with tailor-made equity and quasi-equity financial solutions, as well as recognized sector expertise. Today, Unigrains manages €964 million, and is a partner to 80 companies, intervening at various stages of their development, notably during capital reorganization, strategic investments and external growth operations. For further information: www.unigrains.fr

About DeA Capital Alternative Funds and Taste of Italy 2

Taste of Italy 2 is a private equity investment fund with €330 m of committed capital specialised in investing across the value chain of the food and beverage sector in Italy and Spain and managed by DeA Capital Alternative Funds SGR S.p.A. The asset management company, established in Spain in 2019, is the leading independent alternative asset management company in Italy, with more than €6 billion of assets under management and more than 70 employees based in its offices in Milan and Madrid. In 2024, the firm will celebrate the fifth anniversary of its expansion into Spain, marked by the establishment of a local office and team, along with investments in three portfolio companies in Taste of Italy 2: Pizzerías Carlos and Alimentación, Nutrición Familiar (Alnut) and Grupo Ñaming and additionally Romar Global Care in the Sviluppo Sostenibile fund.