New chapter in the centenary history of Galetes Camprodon, the company that manufactures Birba and Nuria cookies. The Barcelona-based group Adam Foods, owner of brands such as Cuétara, Artiach, Panrico, and La Piara, has just announced the acquisition of the company with headquarters and factory in Camprodon, in the Ripollès region.
Adam Foods, owned by the Ventura family, has bought the historic company from businessman Víctor Marsal, who highlighted that the new owner has committed to maintaining the workforce, made up of more than 60 workers, and the Camprodon factory. "This operation is an unquestionable opportunity for Galetes Camprodon, which joins a family group with a long tradition in cookie making and branding, committed long-term to industrial activity," emphasized Marsal, who acquired the emblematic cookie brand in February 2014.
For Adam Foods, this operation means consolidating itself as a leading company in the cookie sector in Spain and acquiring a prestigious brand among consumers with a long history in the market, as Birba's origins date back to 1893. "Birba and Nuria are highly valued brands. We hope to continue and improve the tradition of excellence in cookie making that we inherit with this acquisition," said Adam Foods CEO, Fabrice Ducceschi.
According to the executive, Adam Foods "is committed to maintaining employment at Birba and continuing to provide customers with the same quality and service they have enjoyed until now," referring to the natural ingredients and historical recipes with which these cookies are made in the factory located in Colònia Estabanell, at the entrance to the tourist town of Camprodon. Birba is sold in an extensive network of specialized and gourmet product stores and also in major supermarket chains. The company had a turnover of 7.15 million euros in 2021, according to the latest available data.
Víctor Marsal, together with a group of investors, acquired Galetes Camprodon in 2014 from the Nadal Carres family with the aim of leading a new stage of growth and expansion for the brand, which had become stagnant. Previously, the Nadals had bought the company in 2005 from another group of businessmen led by Santiago Mercadé and Joaquim Boixareu, who managed the company for two decades.
"For us, a central factor in the decision to sell to Adam Foods has been their commitment to the continuity of the workers and the way of making historical recipes that has led Birba cookies to be one of the most reputable in the market after more than 130 years of commitment to quality," Marsal added.
Galetes Camprodon, whose acquisition was advised by KPMG and Roca Junyent, will remain an independent company within the Adam Foods group, which emerged from the spin-off of the former Nutrexpa. In 2014, the Ferrero Jordi and Ventura Ferrero families decided to divide Nutrexpa's assets and brands, which resulted in two companies: Idilia Foods ---owner of ColaCao and Nocilla--- and Adam Foods, owner of La Piara pâtés, Aneto broths, La Granja San Francisco honey, and Phoskitos pastries.
In recent years, Adam Foods has multiplied its size thanks to an acquisition strategy that has led it to become the owner of the Artiach, Chiquilin, and Cuétara cookie brands and the Panrico sliced bread manufacturer. Its turnover now amounts to 350 million euros, with commercial presence in 75 countries and nine production centers employing 1,400 people. Of the nine plants, seven are in Spain and two in Portugal. The Barcelona-based group is chaired by Javier Ventura Ferrero and his daughter, Georgina Ventura Cardona, is the CEO.