Pernigotti
{{Short description|Italian confectionery company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox company
|name = Pernigotti
|logo =
|type = Private
|foundation = {{Start date and age|1868}}
|founder = Stefano Giuseppe Pernigotti, Francesco Pernigotti
|location_city = Novi Ligure, Piedmont
|location_country = Italy
|key_people = Paolo Pernigotti, Stefano Pernigotti
|num_employees =
|industry = Food
|products = Chocolates, gianduiotto, nougats, easter eggs, ice creams
|revenue =
|parent = JP Morgan Asset Management
Invitalia (25%)
|homepage = [http://www.pernigotti.it/ Pernigotti Spa]
}}
Pernigotti is an Italian manufacturer of chocolate (its speciality is the production of high quality Gianduiotto, a chocolate-hazelnut based confectionery),{{cite news |title=La nuova vita del Gianduiotto Pernigotti: cambia incarto, addio all'oro dopo un secolo |url=https://www.repubblica.it/il-gusto/2023/04/22/news/gianduiotto_pernigotti_cambia_incarto_addio_alloro_dopo_un_secolo-397180465/ |access-date=10 March 2024 |agency=repubblica.it |publisher=repubblica.it |date=22 April 2023}} nougats, Easter eggs and ice creams.
It is one of the oldest and most traditional manufacturers of chocolate and nougat candy in Italy. Originally founded in 1860 in the town of Novi Ligure, Piedmont it was sold in 2013 to the Toksöz company of Istanbul.{{cite news |title=Turkish local firm buys iconic Italian chocolate brand |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-local-firm-buys-iconic-italian-chocolate-brand-50602 |accessdate=5 January 2020 |issue=12 July 2013 |publisher=Hürriyet Daily News}}
Since 2022 it has been acquired by JP Morgan Asset Management. While in July 2023 Invitalia will also enter the share capital with 25%.
It has been said that for Italians, "Pernigotti is to chocolate as Ferrari is to cars."{{cite news |title=Chocolate-maker Pernigotti on the brink: how Italy’s approach to corporate rescue is hurting the country |url=https://theconversation.com/chocolate-maker-pernigotti-on-the-brink-how-italys-approach-to-corporate-rescue-is-hurting-the-country-106579 |access-date=10 March 2024 |agency=theconversation.com |publisher=theconversation.com |date=9 November 2018}}
History
Founded in 1860 as a grocery shop, the company was owned by the Pernigotti family for five generations until 1995.{{cite news |title=Historic Italian Chocolate Factory To Close |url=https://www.esmmagazine.com/supply-chain/historical-italian-chocolate-factory-close-67307 |accessdate=5 January 2020 |issue=12 November 2018 |publisher=ESM – European Supermarket Magazine}} By 1882 its quality was sufficiently well known that King Umberto I granted the company the privilege of using the royal coat of arms on the factory insignia on 25 April 1882.{{cite news |title=Italian Pernigotti's owner plans to move factory to Turkey, faces backlash from workers |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/business/2018/11/10/italian-pernigottis-owner-plans-to-move-factory-to-turkey-faces-backlash-from-workers |accessdate=5 January 2020 |issue=10 November 2018 |publisher=Daily Sabah}}
In 1914 with the First World War at the gates, the Italian government forbids the use of sugar for the preparation of confectionery products, including nougat: what could represent a serious obstacle to production, is transformed, thanks to the brilliant intuition by Francesco Pernigotti, in an innovation that enriches the quality of the company. The absence of sugar, in fact, is wisely filled by a greater concentration of honey, giving life to a new nougat with a unique consistency.
In 1919 Paolo Pernigotti replaced his father Francesco at the helm of the company.
At the end of World War II its main production plant was destroyed when it moved its headquarters to the current factory in central Novi Ligure.
Pernigotti's most famous brands include Gianduiotto, the production of which began in 1927, and Cremino, Pepitas and Nocciolato.
In 1980 comes a period of crisis that will lead to the sale of Sperlari in 1981 to the Americans of the H.J. Heinz Company.
In 1995 Stefano Pernigotti, left without heirs after the death of his two very young children, Paolo, 17 age, and Lorenzo, 13 age, in a road accident in Uruguay on 10 July 1980, decides to sell Pernigotti to the Averna family, known for the successes linked to the alcoholic beverages sector. In 2000 he also left Streglio to a niece.{{cite web |title=PERNIGOTTI |url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/pernigotti_(Dizionario-Biografico)/ |website=treccani.it |publisher=treccani.it |accessdate=13 August 2020}}
On 11 July 2013 the company was sold by the Averna family to the Turkish group belonging to the Toksöz family, active in the confectionery, pharmaceutical and energy sectors.[http://www.repubblica.it/economia/2013/07/11/news/pernigotti_averna_cede_il_marchio_andr_al_gruppo_turco_toksoz-62813208/ Pernigotti, Averna cede il marchio, andrà al gruppo turco Toksoz]
On 1 October 2019, Pernigotti announced they had sold their "Ice & Pastry" branch to Optima Group. As part of the transaction Optima acquired the "Pernigotti Maestri Gelatieri Italiani" brand.{{cite web |title=Pernigotti Spa and Optima Group announce the positive outcome of the negotiations for the acquisition of the "Ice & Pastry" branch. |url=http://www.giuso.it/en/good-news/events/events/pernigotti-optima-group-acquisition.html |website=Giuso company website |accessdate=5 January 2020}}
On 11 August 2020, Stefano Pernigotti dies at the age of 98.{{cite news |title=Muore Stefano Pernigotti. Addio al "papà" dei gianduiotti |url=https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/cronache/addio-pap-dei-gianduiotti-muore-stefano-pernigotti-1883055.html |accessdate=13 August 2020 |agency=ilgiornale.it |publisher=ilgiornale.it |date=12 August 2020}}
In 2022 the Toksoz group sells the entire shareholding of Pernigotti to JP Morgan Asset Management. In July 2023, Invitalia entered the share capital of Pernigotti as a minority shareholder with a 25% stake.
Production
The enterprise also produces other chocolate products, nougats, easter eggs and "semilavorati" of ice cream (basic cream to make ice cream).
On 7 November 2018, Toksöz announced that Pernigotti would close its main production facility at Novi Ligure with the loss of 200 jobs. At the time it was reported that Pernigotti had accumulated losses of €13 million over the previous five years. In the same period, turnover had dropped from €75 million to €50 million.{{cite news |title=Mayor says no to Pernigotti closure |url=http://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/food_wine/2018/11/07/mayor-says-no-to-pernigotti-closure_66f03267-5e93-4af9-b534-2a9e55b749ce.html |accessdate=5 January 2020 |issue=7 November 2018 |publisher=Agenzia ANSA Cooperative Company}} Conflicting reports at the time suggested that Toksöz was planning to move production to Turkey{{cite news |title=I fratelli turchi Toksoz chiudono la Pernigotti: addio a un pezzo di storia dell'industria dolciaria |url=https://www.lastampa.it/alessandria/2018/11/08/news/i-fratelli-turchi-toksoz-chiudono-la-pernigotti-addio-a-un-pezzo-di-storia-dell-industria-dolciaria-1.34058144 |accessdate=5 January 2020 |agency=La Stampa |issue=8 November 2018}} while others reported that Pernigotti planned to outsource production only within Italy.{{cite news |title=Pernigotti, produzione resterà in Italia |url=http://www.ansa.it/piemonte/notizie/2018/11/08/pernigotti-produzione-restera-in-italia_b6c4a9a8-e8be-42a3-9913-ac7711aed6ca.html |accessdate=5 January 2020 |issue=8 November 2018 |publisher=Agenzia ANSA Cooperative Company}}{{cite news |last1=Cody |first1=Andy |title=Italy's Pernigotti seeks production partner after factory closure |url=https://www.just-food.com/news/italys-pernigotti-seeks-production-partner-after-factory-closure_id140413.aspx |accessdate=5 January 2020 |issue=12 November 2018 |publisher=just-food.com}} The closure has been cited as another example of the impact of Italy's approach to restructuring fundamentally viable companies who are in difficulty.
Since the acquisition of JP Morgan Asset Management, the production resumes at the historic Novi Ligure plant in 2022.{{cite news |title=Pernigotti, nuovo piano industriale: si punta sui mercati esteri |url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/pernigotti-nuovo-piano-industriale-si-punta-mercati-esteri-AEC3YfHC?refresh_ce=1 |access-date=10 March 2024 |agency=ilsole24ore.com |publisher=ilsole24ore.com |date=17 November 2022}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.pernigotti.it/ Official site]
{{Chocolate companies of Italy}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Italian chocolate companies