Airos Delicatessen merges with Esgir to build Spanish gluten-free food group
The merger comes as demand for gluten-free and free-from foods continues to create opportunities for specialized food manufacturers.
SPAIN – Airos Delicatessen, a Spanish gluten-free bakery specialist, has finalized a strategic merger with Valencian breakfast-cereal producer Esgir, creating a combined entity aimed at dominating the rapidly growing allergen-free food sector.
Backed by Spanish private equity asset manager Impact Bridge through its IB Sustainable AgriFood Fund I, the transaction unites two prominent specialized food manufacturers under the newly established Airos Group umbrella.
The strategic alliance creates a consolidated platform with aggregate pro forma annual revenues approaching €30 million (US$34.8 million), positioning the combined enterprise as a key driver of category consolidation across European markets.
The integration unites two entities with complementary operational strengths. Airos, operating a production facility in Martorell, develops an extensive portfolio of bakery, pastry, cookies, mixes, and flours, supplying retail partners including Alcampo, Aldi, Bonpreu Esclat, Carrefour, Consum, El Corte Inglés, Eroski, Hipercor, HiperDino, and Spar. Esgir, headquartered in Valencia, contributes gluten-free, sugar-free, and lactose-free breakfast cereals, along with products aligned with high-growth protein trends.
The business integration unites highly complementary product lines and industrial capabilities across Spain.
Martorell-based Airos brings a broad portfolio of gluten-free pastries, bread, and frozen goods, supported by an internal research and development team and a strong presence across retail and food service distribution channels.
Meanwhile, Esgir, headquartered in Valencia, adds dedicated manufacturing capacity for gluten-free, lactose-free, and low-sugar breakfast cereals.
Together, the combined workforce exceeds 200 employees operating across two specialized manufacturing facilities.
Executives note that joining forces fills major portfolio gaps for both brands while establishing cross-selling opportunities across domestic supermarket chains and export networks.
According to David Martínez, Founder and CEO of Airos, Esgir is expanding its portfolio with breakfast cereals while reinforcing the group’s positioning in healthy nutrition.
With European consumer demand for free-from and functional health products expanding at double-digit annual rates, Impact Bridge’s financial backing will fuel a multi-year growth and investment strategy.
The strategic roadmap prioritizes increasing production capacity, expanding product lines, accelerating continuous product innovation, and entering new international markets.
Leadership has established an ambitious target to double aggregate revenues to €60 million (US$69.56M) within the next four to five years.
This growth trajectory will rely on organic retail expansion alongside targeted acquisitions, with asset managers eyeing complementary operators across Europe to build a scaled, continent-wide market leader.
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