FDBusiness.com

Barilla, the world’s largest pasta company, expects to invest about €1 billion over five years on its industrial assets. About 60% of the investments will be aimed at boosting competitiveness and sustainability by improving processes and technologies, while over 40% will support innovation and geographic expansion. The expansion of the plant near Parma in Italy is part of this vision. The plant will become the largest sauce factory in Europe, with the best technology and energy savings standards.

Investments in Italy will mainly be focused on asset maintenance and replacement, innovation and on quality and food safety improvement. Outside Italy, investments will be mainly aimed at expanding production capacity to grow the business.

Two-thirds of Barilla’s sauce production and more than 98% of pesto production is crafted in the Rubbiano plant, near Parma, which is set to become the largest sauce factory in Europe within the next eight months, thanks to a €50 million investment.

Operating 28 production plants, Barilla achieved €3.468 billion in revenues in 2017 – up 3% compared to 2016, net of foreign exchange effects. In addition to being the world leader in the pasta market, the Parma-based group is also the leader in continental Europe for sauces, for bakery products in Italy and crisp breads in Scandinavia.

All the Group’s geographical markets have grown, with improved performance in Italy in particular, and continued growth in Europe. Growth was driven by the excellent results in the sauce sector. Bakery products and pasta in Italy and France exhibited especially good performances, thanks to the new ‘Better for You’ offers dedicated to personal wellness.