White Bridge Investments sells Nutkao Group to Teralys

Oct 24, 2024
1 min read

White Bridge Investments (WBI) has sold its portfolio company, Nutkao Group – a producer of chocolate and nut products – to Teralys, a subsidiary of Al Mada.

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Piedmont, Northern Italy, Nutkao manufactures a range of hazelnut, pistachio and chocolate spreads, creams, ingredients and chocolate products for the retail market.

The company is the result of a buy-and-build strategy established in 2021 by WBI after it acquired a majority stake in the group. Founded in 2013, investment company WBI specialises in private equity transactions, and provides strategic guidance and financial resources to support businesses’ growth.

In September 2021, Nutkao acquired Belgian speciality spreads company Boerinneke, now Nutkao Belgium. The following month, the group entered the pistachio market with its acquisition of Italian company Pistì.

Nutkao now has more than 500 employees and operates from five production plants across Italy, the US, Belgium and Ghana. It serves over 700 clients in over 80 countries.

Teralys was launched to invest in the food and beverage industry internationally. Its parent company, Al Mada, is a private investment company operating in the pan-African market.

According to a press statement from investment banking firm Houlihan Lokey, which advised WBI on the deal, Al Mada sees a ‘strong strategic fit’ for Nutkao in its portfolio, particularly alongside Patisen, a chocolate and peanut spreads producer in West Africa.

Top image: © Nutkao Group

#WhiteBridgeInvestments #NutkaoGroup #Teralys #Italy

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Leah Smith

8 May 2026

New products

Ella’s Kitchen launches new children's snack range

Ella’s Kitchen is expanding beyond the baby food aisle with the launch of Ella’s Kitchen Kids, a new product line aimed at children aged 18 months and older.

The launch marks a significant strategic move for the brand as it looks to extend its presence beyond the weaning category and capture growing demand for healthier snack options for toddlers and young children.

Positioned as a “better-for-you” alternative to traditional children’s snacks, the new range combines bold flavours, playful branding and convenient formats with the nutritional standards parents associate with the Ella’s Kitchen brand.

The company said the range was developed in response to changing family eating habits and the lack of minimally processed snack options for older toddlers outside the baby aisle.

Initial products include Ella’s Kitchen Kids Crunchy Stix in Cheese + Onion, Tomato + Basil and Pesto varieties, alongside Ella’s Kitchen Kids Wild Crackers available in Tomato + Oregano, Pea + Basil and Carrot + Rosemary flavours.

Designed for lunchboxes, picnics and snacking occasions, the products are formulated with reduced salt levels and classified as non-HFSS options. According to the company, the Crunchy Stix contain less than 0.04g of salt per pack, while the Crackers contain less than 0.05g per serving.

Emma Wood, Senior Brand Manager at Ella’s Kitchen, said: “Ella’s Kitchen Kids is about recognising that the journey doesn’t stop at baby food. As little ones grow, their tastes, independence and routines all change – but parents still want options they can feel good about.”

The launch also signals Ella’s Kitchen’s wider ambitions within the children’s snacking market, with additional products and categories expected later this year.

Wood added that the company aims to help “raise the standards of the kids’ food category” by balancing taste, convenience and nutrition.