Nestlé presents plan to develop Baci Perugina into a global brand

Today, Nestlé Italy managers presented the plan to the unions at Confindustria Umbria in Perugia. The plan will strengthen the San Sisto factory, confirming its position as one of the centers of excellence for the chocolate production within the Nestlé Group, further reinforcing the presence of the historical brand in Italy and making Baci® Perugina® a symbol of the Made in Italy around the world, like S. Pellegrino® in the mineral water market. The commercial development strategy addresses the internal market as well as international markets with new growth opportunities to improve counter-seasonal production.

The commitment is to make these products – among the most beloved and iconic ones in the chocolate and confectionery art - a symbol of Italian excellence in the world. Managers of Nestlé Italy laid out the steps towards this ambitious goal.

It starts with the set up of the new Confectionery International Business Unit, which the Group has entrusted to Valeria Norreri, one of the key manager responsible for international expansion of S. Pellegrino® brand (1.3 bn bottles sold in 145 countries). Her work greatly contributed to transforming a mineral water into a product now recognized all around the world as a synonym of Italian excellence in the food and beverage market. The new Business Unit has been created within the Confectionery Division of Nestlé Italy. Business Executive Manager will be Bruno Emmenegger. He has been with Nestlé since 1987, contributing to the success of the confectionery business in Mexico, Switzerland and Russia, as well as gaining significant experience in Italy.

The Perugina company was founded in Perugia in 1907, and Baci Perugina, a foil-wrapped bonbon that contains a whole hazelnut, dates back to 1922. “Baci” means “kiss” in Italian, and each sweet contains a love note: the Italian way to say “I love you”.