In 2014, the dried fruit and nut sector grew by 2.3% in Italy with respect to the previous year. In terms of sales, the dried fruit market is worth €640 million, 8% more than 2013. Despite kitchen and appetizer products representing over 50% of sales, there was a significant growth (+30%) in the snack segment.
On 13th February 2015, FreshPlaza visited LIFE's production plant. The company currently covers 12,000 sq m and employs 50 people plus 50 external collaborators. It is one of the leading business' both in Italy and Europe, with a significant growth that led to a 2014 turnover of almost €52 million, +3% more than 2013.
After the excellent results of 2014, LIFE wants to continue working hard to develop high-quality innovative products.
It recently introduced new drying and roasting plants (in the photo: peanut processing) to be more competitive in terms of yields and quality and will also build a new 4,000 sq m plant to improve its services and reduce managing costs.
Davide Mario Sacchi, communication manager, talked about the objectives for 2015.
"As regards the "Valore al Territorio" products, we will carry out promotional campaigns for both consumers and producers. The brand was in fact created to safeguard biodiversity, so we want to promote the requalification of national and international territories. "
In the past few years, LIFE has also worked to develop the walnut production chain, as the nut is the main product for the company. In Italy, walnut production is not very popular but demand is growing both on the domestic and European markets. Together with DISAFA (Department for Agricultural, Forestry and Food Sciences - University of Turin) and the Piedmont Region, we are working on a project to relaunch walnut crops.
Sacchi (in the photo) explains that, thanks to the project, "anyone who wishes to grow walnuts is granted a loan, as trees only start producing after six years. Growers are followed by both the University and agronomists, and then we collect and process the nut. This way, we help everyone along the chain and the produce is traceable." In addition to walnuts, LIFE will also promote plums from Roero, Madernassa pears and hazelnuts from Piedmont.
After the steep growth of the snack segment, LIFE's Fruttelle range (launched in January 2013) is obtaining excellent results in terms of sales - 80% of the customers who tried one of the products bought them again. "We went from 320,000 units sold in 2013 to 360,000 in 2014, +13%."
"Peanut and honey and almond and honey brittles will be promoted more in stores, as they are the ideal snacks for everyone - students, pensioners, managers, athletes, children and kids."
During the visit, Sacchi showed us the various parts of the company, from the storing to the processing sections, and explained their quality check and safety protocols.
We will go back in a few months to learn more about their future projects!
Contacts:
Davide Mario Sacchi
Communication and marketing manager
Life Srl
via Aie, 28
12040 Sommariva Perno (CN)
Tel.: (+39) 0172 46221
Fax: (+39) 0172 46214
Email: davide.sacchi@lifeitalia.com
Email2: life@lifeitalia.com
Web: www.lifeitalia.com
Contacts:
Davide Mario Sacchi
Communication and marketing manager
Life Srl
via Aie, 28
12040 Sommariva Perno (CN)
Tel.: (+39) 0172 46221
Fax: (+39) 0172 46214
Email: davide.sacchi@lifeitalia.com
Email2: life@lifeitalia.com
Web: www.lifeitalia.com