Investindustrial merges Winland Foods with La Doria to launch Windoria group
Together, the companies bring 28 manufacturing plants and a workforce of 5,000 employees under the Windoria banner, offering vertically integrated supply chains and global scale across North America, Europe, and the U.K.
UK – Private equity firm Investindustrial has officially merged U.S.-based Winland Foods and Italy’s La Doria to form Windoria, a new global food manufacturing powerhouse projected to generate US$4 billion in annual sales.
The strategic consolidation, announced on September 18, 2025, marks a pivotal moment for the private-label food industry, which has seen surging consumer demand in recent years.
Winland Foods, known for its private-label and branded products across foodservice and retail channels, joins forces with La Doria, a leading producer of tomato-based sauces, canned foods, and dried pasta.
Together, the companies bring 28 manufacturing plants and a workforce of 5,000 employees under the Windoria banner, offering vertically integrated supply chains and global scale across North America, Europe, and the U.K.
Eric Beringause will serve as CEO of both Winland Foods and Windoria, while Antonio Ferraioli, CEO of La Doria Group, will chair the newly formed entity.
Dave Barta has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of Windoria, where he will continue his role at Winland Foods.
“This new platform will enable further growth in other markets, including through acquisitions,” said Ferraioli, referencing La Doria’s recent purchases of Clas, an Italian pesto and sauce producer, and Pastificio di Martino Gaetano’s dry pasta business unit.
Windoria aims to be a strategic partner to leading retailers, foodservice distributors, and food brands, offering a diverse range of products tailored to evolving consumer preferences.
The group also manages over 40 regional and national consumer brands, with deep roots in the pasta-making industry. Winland’s heritage traces back to Zerega, a U.S. pasta pioneer founded in 1848.
The merger comes amid a boom in private-label sales, which have outpaced national brands for three consecutive years, according to the Private Label Manufacturers Association.
A 2024 report from the Food Marketing Institute found that 71% of U.S. shoppers now believe private-label items match or exceed the quality of branded products.
With Windoria, Investindustrial is betting on scale, heritage, and innovation to redefine the private-label landscape and meet rising global demand for high-quality, affordable food products.
Sign up to HERE receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
