The multi-item multi-period capacitated lot sizing problem with setups (CLST) is a well known optimization problem with wide applicability in real-world production planning problems. Based on a recently proposed Dantzig-Wolfe approach we present a novel math-heuristic algorithm for the CLST. The major contribution of this paper lies in the presentation of an algorithm that exploits exact techniques (Dantzig-Wolfe) in a metaheuristic fashion, in line with the novel trend of math-heuristic algorithms. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first time that such technique is employed within a metaheuristic framework, with the aim of tackling challenging instances in short computational time. Moreover, we provide reasoning that the approach may be beneficial when additional constraints like perishability constraints are added. This also constitutes an important extension when looking at it from the view of solution methods.