Avril acquired a stake in the capital of the start-up, Eccellenza Italiana, continuing the Group's development in the consumer goods sector

Today, Avril announces its acquisition of a majority interest in Eccellenza Italiana, an Italian gourmet start-up specializing in manufacturing premium food products. This transaction, which is already effective, is in keeping with Avril's strategic priorities. The Group is thus fulfilling its intention to bolster its position in the consumer goods market and to expand its portfolio of brands both in France and internationally, thereby addressing consumer demands for local, healthy, and sustainable food.

Founded in 2014, Eccellenza Italiana, markets in France 100% natural, preservative-free sauces, pastas, spreads, and olive oil made exclusively in Italy. This Foodtech leader is built on three complementary brands: Italians Do It Better for products marketed in supermarkets, Al Dente Al Salsa a product range intended for specialized Italian delicatessens, and Il Biologico Italiano for distribution networks dedicated to organic products.

By selecting the best ingredients from the four corners of Italy - sauces and breadsticks from Piedmont, pasta from Gragnano, and antipasti from Sicily - Eccellenza Italiana's young brands are already highly regarded by their clients and consumers for the quality of their local sourcing as well as their attention paid to artisanal production in industrial volumes.

This acquisition will enable Eccellenza Italiana to accelerate its international development by drawing on the expertise of Avril's teams and brands, while maintaining its originality. The two founders, Christian de Waldner and Patrizio Micelli, will continue to run the company that currently employs close to 15 people.

Jean-Philippe PUIG, CEO of Avril, declared: "I am delighted to welcome the Eccellenza Italiana teams to the Avril Group, and I extend my sincerest wishes to them. We share the same values and commitments, giving top priority to local, healthy, and sustainable food. We intend to preserve the full creativity of Eccellenza Italiana, which has been the source of its success, while providing it with the means to enter a new phase of its development, thanks to the support of the Group and our in-depth knowledge of the markets. This will further strengthen our positions in the consumer goods sector, in line with the Group's strategic priorities, while remaining true to our commitments and our purpose, Serving the Earth."

Christian de Waldner and Patrizio Miceli, co-founders of Eccellenza Italiana, commented: "We are delighted with Avril's investment. Our ambition is to become the market leader in hot sauces within an accessible premium positioning in France and then internationally, in addition to developing new categories of products. Avril's muscle and expertise in the savory food market will give a powerful boost to the development of our brands. Our shared ambition and common values as activists for healthier food while preserving our planet are in line with our strategic vision."