In the photo, Probios president Fernando Favilli and financial director Rosella Bartolozzi.
Probios was set up forty years ago thanks to pharmacist Elvira Rigo de Righi who, in the late 1970s, started importing macrobiotic products from Japan. Fernando Favilli and Rossella Bartolozzi, President and Financial Director, took over in 1990 when the company was still small and organic products were a niche market. They wanted to promote natural products and raise awareness on the fact that organic foods are a lifestyle and not just a fad or destined to an elite.
"Probios works with Universities and producers to develop local crops in a sustainable way. We want to promote the origin of raw materials and the work of local producers while favouring behaviour that can make our land better. We are always looking for new solutions and products that supply sales channels to satisfy the needs of final consumers."
The Il Nutrimento range is rather new: a gluten-free organic tube line and the only of this kind produced in Italy with Italian raw material. Ideal as a snack to be spread on bread or to make sandwiches or tartlets: Artichoke spread, Hemp and basil spread, Italian tomato double concentrate, Natural soy mayonnaise, Soy, turmeric and ginger mayonnaise, Italian black olive spread.
Probios makes around 830 products in its 10 sq m plant: 420 are gluten-fee products (170 of which can be prescribed on the National Health Service), 140 are lactose free and there are numerous yeast-free products. Many products contain spelt, KAMUT® or alternative cereal.
Probios does not cultivate land directly and sources raw materials from Italian processing companies to obtain products with a certified quality and favouring organic production.
90% of the products is sold in Italy, while the rest is destined to 43 foreign countries including almost all of Europe, Baltic countries, USA, Canada, South America, Africa, a few Arab and Asian countries like Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. In addition, the company has a branch in Germany (Probios Deutschland).
In 2017, Probios had a turnover of €33 million. Over the past five years, the average growth was of 9.5%. Products are sold in specialised stores, chemists, herbalist stores and retailers. Large formats under the Biostock brand are destined to the H&R channel and some products are also destined to vending machines.
Organic products must be certified. Probios is regularly subjected to inspections that certify its compliance with the strict national regulations. The company obtained 3 certifications in 2016 alone: ISO 9001:2008 issued by DNV GL guaranteeing customer satisfaction and the ongoing improvement of company performance; BRC (British Retail Consortium) Global Storage and Distribution and IFS Logistics, which guarantee the safety and respect for regulations along the entire food&beverage logistics chain; and IFS Broker, which guarantees the safety and high-quality of products shortening the gap between production and distribution.
Projects for 2018
"Probios would like to continue its successful mission for both its consumers and the planet. Forty years are indeed an accomplishment, but they are also a launch pad to improve and innovate. Lately, the Group started implementing a corporate welfare programme by setting up a canteen and a gym with the purpose of improving the health of all those who contribute to Probios' success. It's an ambitious project that is combined with other initiatives to promote a healthy diet and physical activity - essential requirements for our well being."
"Now the organic sector is booming, it's not always easy for consumers to make a choice. Reading "bio" on a product is not enough, other details must be verified too. It's fundamental to learn how to read labels, as the name and number of the organism authorised by the Ministry for Agricultural Policies and the producer code must be reported. In addition the EU mark must also be visible."
"Probios would like to continue its successful mission for both its consumers and the planet. Forty years are indeed an accomplishment, but they are also a launch pad to improve and innovate. Lately, the Group started implementing a corporate welfare programme by setting up a canteen and a gym with the purpose of improving the health of all those who contribute to Probios' success. It's an ambitious project that is combined with other initiatives to promote a healthy diet and physical activity - essential requirements for our well being."
"Now the organic sector is booming, it's not always easy for consumers to make a choice. Reading "bio" on a product is not enough, other details must be verified too. It's fundamental to learn how to read labels, as the name and number of the organism authorised by the Ministry for Agricultural Policies and the producer code must be reported. In addition the EU mark must also be visible."
Contacts:
Probios Spa
via degli Olmi 13-15
50041 Calenzano (FI) - Italy
Tel.: +39 055 88 6931
Email: info@probios.it
Web: www.probios.it