Schwarz Produktion, the umbrella brand of the Schwarz Group's production companies, acquired ARTiBack GmbH, an industrial bakery based in Halle (Saale). The completion of the transaction is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities, which is planned for the first quarter of 2024.

ARTiBack GmbH, founded in Saxony-Anhalt in 2016, produces freshly baked specialty breads and rolls from natural raw materials, among others, for the food retailer industry. Today, about 150 employees manufacture a variety of baked goods based on traditional baking craftsmanship.

The rationale behind the transaction is to meet the high demand from customers of the Schwarz Group's retail companies (Lidl & Kaufland) for fresh, diverse, and high-quality baked goods.

The IMAP team exclusively advised the majority shareholder of ARTiBack GmbH during the M&A process and assisted in completing the transaction. This deal marks the second transaction IMAP advised in the vertical integration of German food retailers in the last 12 months.