Top international players in spaghetti war for Malma

North Coast, an importer and distributor of gourmet food, has teamed up with Colussi Group, one of the world's biggest makers and distributors of pasta, to file for Malma's bankruptcy as a first step towards restarting production at Malma's plants. "We have the capital and know-how to make Malma again the market leader for premium pasta," says Giorgio Pezzolato, North Coast Vice President. Colussi, which is present in Poland through its Agnesi brand, could also use Malma as a production base to make and sell its other brands, or as a stepping stone to further acquisitions. But the consortium will first have to see off two rivals, who have already applied for Malma's bankruptcy. The first is Alpina Savoie, France's third-biggest pasta maker, which fired the opening salvo in the battle a few weeks ago. However, the dark horse in the race could be Goldman Rosenberg-Polska, a little-known financial advisory firm. (Puls Biznesu, p. 9) R.M.