The food industry is one of the jewels in the crown of Italian manufacturing. Today, we’re talking about Mutti, a historic company from Emilia with roots in the Parma area that stretch back over 120 years and a leader in the tomato preserve sector.
Pioneers from the very beginning
The story of Mutti began way back in the 1800s, thanks to the pioneering work of Giovanni Mutti. A passionate farmer and one of the first in Italy to practice crop rotation, Giovanni was a true trailblazer, so much so that the bust dedicated to him bears the inscription: ‘Distinguished farmer who preceded the sidereal system by fifty years’.
However, it was his grandsons Callisto and Marcellino (born in 1862) who founded the Mutti Conserve Alimentari company in 1899 in Montechiarugolo, in the province of Parma. In 1911, the trademark depicting the two lions was registered, and the company immediately received its first accolades, such as the Gold Medal at the International Exhibition in Rome and the Grand Cross diploma, with entry into the Grand Golden Book of Meritorious Workers in 1914.
The tube of tomato paste
As preservation techniques improved, MUTTI doubled its production and, in 1951, Ugo Mutti had the brilliant idea that led him to produce the first tomato paste in a tube. This new packaging made it possible, first and foremost, to use only the required amount and featured a curious cap that could be reused as a thimble for sewing. The ‘thimble tube’ was an instant smash hit.
Innovation first and foremost
Mutti’s story continues to be one of success and innovation. In 1999, the company became the first in Italy to adopt the certified integrated production code, followed in 2001 by the award of non-GMO certification.
Today, MUTTI Spa is led by Francesco Mutti and, from its headquarters in Basilicanova (Parma), exports Italian tomatoes to dozens of countries, employs hundreds of staff, and has a turnover of millions of euros. What’s more, Mutti has recently announced a multi-year investment (2022–2024) of 1.5 million euros, entirely dedicated to launching environmental projects.
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