“The selection of the coffee type, the own blend, the roasting and coffee packaging under Green brand is taking place in Italy, while Green coffee milk is supplied and packaged locally, by Romanian producer Dorna Lactate,“ according to Cristian Amza, CEO and founder of La Fantana group.
Thus, Dorna Lactate, one of the largest packed milk producers, with sales revenue of 181 million lei, manufactures the newest coffee milk brand on the local market. Dorna Lactate has largely limited its operations on the local market during the last years, giving up several production capabilities. Hence, it will sell LaDorna milk brand, while the Romanian brined cheese Telemea was replaced with President, a more internationally famous brand.
Green – Coffee beans for espresso is exclusively available in Serbia, while Green – Special coffee milk is available in Romania and Serbia.
In 2014, La Fantana acquired Blue Coffee Service, the local distributor of Italian coffee brand Lavazza. Blue Coffee Service was held by entrepreneurs Alin Dociu and Catalin Vasile, owners of Aquila group.
Early this year, La Fantana stockholders decided to merge through absorption with Blue Coffee Service. The company is now held by Polish investment fund Innova Capital, with 92%, and the entrepreneur Cristian Amza, with 8%.
Innova Capital postponed the listing of La Fantana, which it controls, on the Bucharest bourse, in a pre-summer deal, due to the high volatility on the financial markets and fears over a possible Greece exit from the euro-zone.
(English version by Manuela Panescu)