Pernigotti

Pernigotti is an Italian manufacturer of chocolate (its speciality is the production of high quality Gianduiotto, a chocolate-hazelnut based confectionery), 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.[1] It has been said that for Italians, "Pernigotti is to chocolate as Ferrari is to cars."[2]

Pernigotti
TypePrivate
IndustryFood
Founded1868 (1868)
FounderStefano Giuseppe Pernigotti, Francesco Pernigotti
Headquarters
Novi Ligure, Piedmont
,
Italy
Key people
Paolo Pernigotti, Stefano Pernigotti
ProductsChocolates, gianduiotto, nougats, easter eggs, ice creams
ParentToksöz Group
WebsitePernigotti Spa

History

Founded in 1860 as a grocery shop, the company was owned by the Pernigotti family for five generations until 1995.[3] 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.[4]

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.[3]

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.[5]

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.[6]

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.[7]

On 11 August 2020, Stefano Pernigotti dies at the age of 98.[8]

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.[3][9] Conflicting reports at the time suggested that Toksöz was planning to move production to Turkey[10] while others reported that Pernigotti planned to outsource production only within Italy.[11][12] The closure has been cited as another example of the impact of Italy's approach to restructuring fundamentally viable companies who are in difficulty.

References
  1. "Turkish local firm buys iconic Italian chocolate brand". No. 12 July 2013. Hürriyet Daily News. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  2. Castellano, Piero. "Turkish firms shut Italian chocolate factories, leaving bitter taste". No. 4 December 2018. Ahval. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  3. "Historic Italian Chocolate Factory To Close". No. 12 November 2018. ESM – European Supermarket Magazine. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  4. "Italian Pernigotti's owner plans to move factory to Turkey, faces backlash from workers". No. 10 November 2018. Daily Sabah. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  5. "PERNIGOTTI". treccani.it. treccani.it. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  6. Pernigotti, Averna cede il marchio, andrà al gruppo turco Toksoz
  7. "Pernigotti Spa and Optima Group announce the positive outcome of the negotiations for the acquisition of the "Ice & Pastry" branch". Giuso company website. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  8. "Muore Stefano Pernigotti. Addio al "papà" dei gianduiotti". ilgiornale.it. ilgiornale.it. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  9. "Mayor says no to Pernigotti closure". No. 7 November 2018. Agenzia ANSA Cooperative Company. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  10. "I fratelli turchi Toksoz chiudono la Pernigotti: addio a un pezzo di storia dell'industria dolciaria". No. 8 November 2018. La Stampa. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  11. "Pernigotti, produzione resterà in Italia". No. 8 November 2018. Agenzia ANSA Cooperative Company. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  12. Cody, Andy. "Italy's Pernigotti seeks production partner after factory closure". No. 12 November 2018. just-food.com. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
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