The process, started a year ago, which led to the birth of Unione Italiana Food, the largest association in Europe that brings together companies producing food goods, has concluded positively. It is the result of the collaboration between AIDEPI (Association of Italian Sweet and Pasta Industries) e AIIPA (Italian Association of Food Products Industries) which, from January 2019, will merge into the new reality.
The union of the forces of two of the most representative associations of the Italian food sector will increase the effectiveness of the representation of the respective categories. With the further advantage of guaranteeing better and more efficient services for the associated companies, which can count on the experience of a further enlarged and specialized structure in the sectors of interest. And thus respond to the challenges of the global market.
The President of Unione Italiana Food is from today Mark Lavazza (Luigi Lavazza SpA) the Deputy Chairman is Paul Barilla (Barilla SpA): two names that describe the relevance and ambition of the project and that fully represent the tradition and seriousness of Italian entrepreneurship in the food sector.
Unione Italiana Food aims to enhance and protect the symbolic products of the Italian food industry grappling with the new challenges of the global market. Represents 450 businesses of over 20 commodity sectors, which employ a 65.000 people and develop a turnover of over 35 billion of euros, of which 10 billion of exports. Let's talk about about 800 brands that end up on the tables of Italians and Italian food lovers from all over the world.
The companies that are part of the new Association are big brands and SMEs rooted in the area, that represent many symbols of Made in Italy: just to name a few, coffee, pasta, chocolate, ice cream, baked goods (and for special occasions, such as Pandoro and Panettone), confectionery and chewing gum, frozen foods, vegetables in oil and pickles, sauces, gravies and condiments, soups, jams and honey , baby foods, food supplements, packaged fresh fruit and vegetables, fruit and vegetable nectars, teas, infusions and herbal teas, spices and aromatic herbs. A heterogeneous panorama that ranges from tradition to innovation and responds to the needs – pleasure, well-being, practicality, accessibility – that we look for among the shelves and refrigerated counters of the supermarket.
“The strengths of Italian products represent an extremely precious value for a global market that wants ever more tasty, safe, innovative and sustainable foods – he says Marco Lavazza. One of the prerogatives of Unione Italiana Food will be support for Italian companies in export strategies, so that they are increasingly effective and valued abroad. It is essential to team up and that companies and trade associations work in concert with the institutions on targeted incentive programs, on international trade agreements and on the activity of contrasting phenomena such as counterfeiting or Italian Sounding. The Italian food industry is a strategic sector that still has ample room for growth”.
“The creation of the Unione Italiana Food is a historic milestone – he adds Paul Barilla – We join forces in full respect of our different corporate and product identities and on the basis of a common system of values. This will allow us to share skills and make progress on strategic issues for our sector. Among all the internationalization and growth of our products on markets around the world, sustainability, where we are at the forefront of results achieved and commitments made, the improvement of the nutritional value of our products and, lastly, consumer information modern, who wants to know everything about what he eats”.
