Perfetti Van Melle was established in March 2001 through the merger of Perfetti SpA and Van Melle N.V.
In respectively 1946 and 1900 they built their trendsetting sugar confectionery factories in Lainate (Italy) and in Breskens (The Netherlands). At that point in time they could not have anticipated that their companies would expand far outside their countries’ borders and would play a leading role in the world of sugar confectionery.
Since the early eighties, Perfetti and Van Melle have maintained friendly business contacts. This friendship is strengthened when Perfetti acquires 37% of Van Melle shares in 1991. In some countries this evolved in a strategic alliance. The combination of product, marketing and distribution channels, which allows the company to seize opportunities in several markets, resulted in major successes. Based on this productive and long lasting collaboration, Perfetti and Van Melle decide to combine their activities and in March 2001, Perfetti purchased all Van Melle shares.
In July 2006, Perfetti Van Melle acquires Chupa Chups, a family owned Spanish Group famous all over the world for its well-loved Chupa Chups and Smint brands. This acquisition reinforced the Group’s leadership position in the confectionery market, expanding its sales potential in mature and developing markets.