Vivatis interested in Aldis Calarasi

Austrian Vivatis Group, one of the main players on the foods market with expected revenues this year of over 510 million euros, is planning to expand on the Romanian market and is contemplating a takeover of the number-two player on the processed meats market, Aldis Calarasi. “Representatives of the Austrian company approached me with the intention to buy in order to relocate production facilities, however I do not want to sell my business. I suggested a swine farming partnership instead, but they were not interested,”

said George Naghi, the Aldis Calarasi chairman. Vivatis representatives could not be reached for comment. Sorin Minea, the chairman of Romalimenta, an organisation that comprises the main players in the food industry, says the wave of takeover offers in the industry, especially on the meat products segment, has lost some of its momentum after the peak seen at the end of last year. Aldis posted a 20% increase in first-half sales thanks to increased exposure to supermarkets. It estimates full-year sales of 62.5 million euros, up 20% on 2004. ZF