A European holding company of Ferrara Candy Company, a U.S. confectioner, announced that it has entered into exclusive discussions to acquire CPK Group, a French manufacturer and distributor of candies and chocolates, from Eurazeo, a global investment group.

The proposed transaction will be submitted to the relevant employee representative bodies for consultation and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. 

The planned acquisition would aim to combine CPK's position in the European confectionary market with Ferrara's portfolio of confections and history of innovation and value creation, strengthening Ferrara's platform for continued growth, Ferrara says. CPK would continue to be operated from France for French consumers and beyond.

Created in 2017 following the acquisition of 14 brands from Mondelēz and the combination in 2018 with the company Lamy Lutti, CPK is home to candy and chocolate brands. The group is mainly active in three market segments: candy (Carambar, Lutti, Krema, and Michoko brands), milk chocolate with the British brand Terry's, and French chocolate brands such as Poulain and 1848.

Headquartered in Chicago for more than 115 years and privately held, Ferrara Candy Company is a sugar confections company with sales in more than 40 countries. It manufactures brands such as Nerds, Jelly Belly, and SweeTarts.

"CPK is a great portfolio of candy and chocolate brands well loved by the French and European consumer," says Marco Capurso, CEO, Ferrara. "We are honored to be the possible future owner of this company and to work with its talented team and beloved brands." 

Upon close of the proposed acquisition, CPK's more than 900 employees would join Ferrara. CPK currently has French manufacturing holdings in Bondues, Saint-Genest, Strasbourg, and Vichy, and all would be acquired by Ferrara's holding company as part of the transaction. 

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Ferrara is on the current Candy Industry “Global Top 100 Candy Companies” list. Click here to view the current “Global Top 100” rankings.