Italy: Ecor NaturaSì merger officially launched

On 1 January 2009, the merger of the two big Italien organic companies Ecor and NaturaSì  was officially launched. This is an operation that consolidates two of the main players in the organic market in Italy with large growing prospects. Ecor is the largest distributor of organic and biodynamic products in the specialist trade in Italy, with a turnover of 96.5 million € in 2008, up 15 % on the previous year. Naturasì is the leading Italian supermarket chain specialized in organic and biodynamic products, with 66 outlets in Italy and two in Spain and sales of 78 million € in 2008, up 20 % compared with the previous year. The fusion was the result of a synergy which had grown over the years, guided by common values, which had already led to an initial agreement which was completed in a stock exchange in July 2006.
 

This company covers the entire distribution process - a thousand selling points in all regions of Italy are served. In addition to the 66 supermarkets belonging to Naturasì, which take part in the franchise system, the group has 250 B'io stores. Other retailers also use the company’s distributing service, reports Vita Consulting. About 3800 products are listed, which are delivered across Italy up to four times a week. The reasons that led to this merger are to strengthen the area of specialized stores in a market situation in Italy that is favourable, but which has a growing need for professionalism and cost reducing, to work on the quality of products to improve them even more, and to promote and spread the values of organics.
 

The shares of the new company are owned by 50 % by the Ecor Holding Spa (wholly owned by Antroposofica Rudolf Steiner di Conegliano, a non-profit company that invests in the field of education and in promoting biodynamic agriculture) and by 50 % by Montesano Spa (owned by members of the historical NaturaSì, investors who appreciate the value of organic products not only economically but for their social and cultural aspects). The Board of Directors of the Ecor NaturaSì Spa is chaired by Felice Lasalvia Di Clemente (former President of NaturaSì), while the role of CEO has been entrusted to Fabio Silvio Brescacin (formerly president of Ecor). 

http://beta.vita.it/news/view/89055