Barilla is an Italian multinational food company. It is the world's largest pasta producer.
Overview
The company was founded in 1877 as a bakery shop in Parma, Italy by Pietro Barilla. It remained in the hands of the Barilla family until 1971, when American chemical company W. R. Grace acquired controlling interest. However, Grace left day-to-day control in the hands of Pietro Barilla, grandson and namesake of the company founder. Pietro reacquired control in 1979, and the company has remained privately heldever since. It is now helmed by the elder Pietro Barilla's great-grandson, chairman Guido Barilla, and brothers and vice chairmen Luca Barilla and Paolo Barilla. They are the fourth generation of Barillas to lead the company. Barilla Group controls Barilla, Mulino Bianco, Gran Cereale, Pan di Stelle, Pavesi, Voiello, First and Academia Barilla, Harrys, Wasabröd, MISKO, Filiz, Yemina and Vesta trademarks. The group produces many kinds of pasta, and is the world's leading pasta maker with 40–45% of the Italian market and 35% of the US market. It produces pasta in over 160 shapes and sizes. Barilla brand pasta is sold in numerous restaurants worldwide, such as those belonging to the Pastamania chain. It is also the leading seller of bakery products in Italy. Through its acquisition of the Swedish company Wasa, it is the world's leading producer of flatbread, selling 60,000 tons annually. The company markets pasta in the US as being Italian in flavor, but most of the product in the United States is actually made in Iowa or New York and not Italy. The wheat used is mainly local. Barilla Group has several production plants all over the world: in Italy, Greece, France, Germany, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, the United States, and Mexico. The company also operates mills in Italy, Greece, Sweden, Turkey, and the US. While its central office is in Parma, it has corporate offices in several other countries as well, such as Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the US, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, and Japan. Barilla's Italian production facilities are located at Parma, Foggia, Marcianise, Castiglione delle Stiviere, Cremona, Melfi, Rubbiano, Novara, and Ascoli Piceno. Its plant in Greece is the third largest in Europe. The plant where the pasta was made is noted on the packaging by a code letter, whereas products made in Italy are explicitly labeled as such. The wheat used to make the final product is purchased from around the world. In 2013, after the chairman Guido Barilla made comments regarding his opposition to adoption by gay families and unwillingness to showcase gay families in his advertisements, some called for a boycott against Barilla products. Guido later apologized and the company began advocating for LGBT causes.
