By the end of this month the firm will have completed the acquisition of Omicron Pharma, a maker of tablets and capsules along with other specialty products.

The new site is based in Bergamo, the location of the two existing contract manufacturing facilities that Fine Foods owns; one for producing dietary supplements for the European market, along with a nearby plant for the manufacturing of powders and granules in sachets for the Italian pharma market.

The latter plant has recently had its production capacity doubled as part of an effort by Fine Foods to increase its activity within the pharma market, along with a vision to orient itself more towards the global market place.

The addition of Omicron Pharma further "reinforces its presence in the market", the firm said.

"Thanks to this acquisition the total turnover of Fine Foods will reach approximately €60m in 2008 with 230 employees".

The company also indicated that this is "only the first phase" in an investment project to achieve further growth and development and a turnover of €100m within the next five years.