An unusual auction is being prepared in Catalonia: regional authorities have announced the sale of a cannelloni production company, which came into their possession after the owner’s death without a will. This is the first time the regional administration has inherited an active business, and not just real estate or financial assets.
The story began back in 2019, when Manela Marimon passed away. She left no will, and her last wish—to bequeath her property to Sant Joan de Déu Children’s Hospital—was never fulfilled. The hospital refused to accept such a specific inheritance, so by law everything was transferred to the government of Catalonia.
The inheritance included not only the factory itself, but also shares in the food company Federación de Alimentos SA (FADAIC), as well as a mill in Huesca, an apartment in Ripollet (Barcelona), and a parking space. However, it was the cannelloni company that drew the most attention.
The first attempt to sell the factory at auction in the summer of 2024 was unsuccessful: the only bidder failed to meet the conditions, which included a requirement to preserve jobs for at least a year. Now the authorities have reduced the starting price by almost 23%—to €228,306—hoping this will attract new investors from the food industry.
How the auction will be held and where the proceeds will go
Details of the auction are expected to be published soon on the official government platforms. By law, all proceeds from the sale of this and other properties must be directed toward the region’s social, housing, cultural, and charitable programs.
Catalan legislation requires the administration to take control of property belonging to deceased individuals who leave no will and have no heirs up to the fourth degree of kinship. Such cases are rare, and acquiring an entire enterprise is an unprecedented event for the region.
The factory’s future now depends on the interest of potential buyers. Authorities hope that the reduced price and the requirement to preserve jobs will help sustain production and employment, while the proceeds will benefit the community.
