CSM, the Dutch foods and biotechnology group, is to take over Italian confectionery maker Socalbe for 132m euros. The new acquisition will generate an annual turnover of 130m euros and will occupy the third place on the Italian confectionery market, Dutch paper De Telegraaf reports. The takeover is in line with CSM's strategy to conquer a leading position on the European confectionery market through acquisitions, the paper continues. CSM is already active in Italy with Sperlari, with which it occupies second place on the Italian market. Perfetti, the new owner of Dutch confectionery maker Van Melle, remains the market leader in Italy.
