Inauguration of the new facility
The company detains the Albisole brand and covers 350 hectares of apricot orchards, destined to become 430 over the next 4 years. It produces 4,000 tons of apricots, expected to become 10 thousand over the next for years and employs 100 harvesting operators for a turnover of €7 million. It grows 25 varieties, 16 of which destined to the Albisole brand and 9 destined to the Rubysole brand. The new €11 million facility will cover 15,500 square metres and is equipped with a photovoltaic plant producing 1.25 million kwh every year.
Ribbon cutting ceremony with the authorities and the entire Guidi family
The ceremony was attended by 400 guests, among whom were under-secretary Giuseppe Castiglione, Emilia Romagna councillor for agriculture Simona Caselli, Forlì and Roncofreddo mayors Davide Drei and Massimo Bulbi as well as many other authorities. All employees also attended.
Inauguration of the new facility
"The new facility was designed, based on those we saw in the US, i.e. at the centre of a productive hub. 200 of the current 350 hectares of apricot orchards surround it. This means the fruit can reach the facility in just a few minutes. There, the cold chain starts and is not interrupted until consumers purchase it."
Inauguration of the new facility
"The new facility was designed, based on those we saw in the US, i.e. at the centre of a productive hub. 200 of the current 350 hectares of apricot orchards surround it. This means the fruit can reach the facility in just a few minutes. There, the cold chain starts and is not interrupted until consumers purchase it."
Marketing manager Patrick J.B. Casaley explained that, at the moment, production is enough to meet domestic retail demand. "We will be able to export when production will be in full swing, mainly to Great Britain, Austria and Germany. At the moment, we are focusing on the domestic market with three types of product: Albisole (16 varieties destined to retailers), Rubysole (9 red varieties) and the Premium range, for small shops, retail and wholesale markets."
Processing line
Guidi is a family business: it was first established by Mariano and, nowadays, it is managed by Giancarlo with his wife Fausta Nicolini, children Roberto and Ivana with respective partners Monia and Massimiliano and the older nephews. The company does not only work with fresh produce - there are also the poultry (core business) and energy departments. The total turnover of the group in 2016 was €56 million.
Left to right: Roberto, Giancarlo Guidi and Patrick J.B. Casaley
"Our family fell in love with apricots. We focused on the fruit that is most difficult to produce but which has the best prospects on the market. In Italy, there was no company capable to create a critical mass and respond to the increasing demands of retailers, so we decided to do it ourselves."
"We progressively eliminated all peach, nectarine, cherry and grape products to become a company dedicated to a single product. Apricots grow well in our area - the early varieties are cultivated on the Roncofreddo hills and the late ones in Forlì. Our fruit is available between mid-May and September 20th. We are now focusing on a very late varieties that are harvested in late September/early October."
Contacts:
Società Agricola Guidi
Divisione ortofrutta
Via Brasini 2 Bis
47122 Forlì - Italy
Tel.: (+39) 0543 728296
Fax: (+39) 0543 728051
Email: ortofrutta@agricolaguidi.com
Web: www.agricolaguidi.com