South West Terminal acquires Solo Italia Fine Pasta
This acquisition supports SWT’s strategic focus on growth, diversification, and investment in value-added food production close to prairie grain supplies.
CANADA – South West Terminal Ltd (“SWT”), a prominent producer-owned grain handler based in Gull Lake, has acquired Solo Italia Fine Pasta Inc., a family-operated manufacturer of authentic Italian pasta and pizza products in Ogema, Saskatchewan.
The deal integrates Solo Italia’s 56-product lineup, including handmade ravioli, calzones, and wood-fired pizzas, into SWT’s agricultural operations, creating a seamless farm-to-table supply chain using local durum wheat.
This strategic move supports SWT’s diversification into value-added processing amid growing demand for premium, locally sourced foods in Western Canada.
Founded in 2012 by Marco de Michele and Tracey Johnson, Solo Italia has thrived on its small-batch production, selling around 1,000 pizzas and calzones weekly from a compact facility 116 km south of Regina.
Facing growth constraints in storage and operations, the owners sought a partner to scale up while preserving their Italian heritage recipes.
The integration of Solo Italia represents an exciting step for SWT as it continues to strengthen its connections from the field to the consumer, supporting local growers while expanding into the premium food manufacturing sector.
This acquisition aligns with SWT’s long-term strategic plan, which is focused on sustainable growth, geographic expansion, and diversification of revenue streams.
By investing in value-added food manufacturing, SWT is extending its role beyond grain handling and marketing.
SWT is creating new opportunities to showcase Saskatchewan’s agricultural excellence in finished consumer products.
The acquisition of Solo Italia highlights SWT’s commitment to innovation and to strengthening rural communities through local investment, job creation, and collaboration with primary producers.
SWT CEO Monty Reich emphasized the alignment: “Solo Italia’s dedication to craftsmanship and quality aligns perfectly with SWT’s mission to add value to the products our growers produce. Together, we’ll continue to build on Saskatchewan farmer strengths and tighten the connection to the farmgate by turning locally grown crops into exceptional foods enjoyed across the country.”
The founders will stay on to manage daily operations, ensuring continuity for the 10-person team.
SWT, known for grain handling and crop services, plans immediate expansions, such as new storage freezers, and long-term production boosts, potentially labelling pasta from specific Saskatchewan farms to highlight sustainable practices.
This taps into consumer preferences for “made in Canada” products, boosted by recent tariffs on imports.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
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