85 years of the Iseppi Family in the sector of fruit and vegetables

2014-12-19 10:16

“Behind a great business story, there are always men and women. People who prefer 'being' to 'appearing', people animated by ethics, by a passion and by a spirit of sacrifice which we would now define as being old school.” With these words Renato Iseppi opened the evening. Later, Roberto Iseppi, Iseppi Frutta Director, and Matteo Falzi, Villafrut Director, thanked the collaborators present for their 20-30 years and more of work at the individual Group companies. Subsequently, Javier Casares, Director of Villagrow, the youngest Group company, awarded plaques to Villafrut and Iseppi Frutta to commemorate Villafrut on its 30th anniversary from foundation and Iseppi Frutta on its 55th anniversary. In fact, this year is exactly 30 years from when Villafrut was founded, while the coming year will be 55 years from when Iseppi & Co., now Iseppi Frutta S.A., was established, the date on which two of the three sons, Renato and Delio, took over the company from their parents Adele Biancotti and Dino Iseppi and incorporated the new company Iseppi & Co., now Iseppi Frutta SA.

Adele and Dino Iseppi managed a commercial farm in Valposchiavo (Switzerland) and in Valtellina (Italy), where they cultivated fruit and vegetables. In the 1930s they started to market fruit in Engadin (Swizerland) via the Bernina Pass. In summer and winter, with their horse-drawn cart, they crossed the Bernina Pass and descended towards St. Moritz, supplying fresh fruit and vegetables to hotels. Later, Adele and Dino Iseppi expanded the sale of fruit and vegetables to regional level and moved on to the sale of region's products which were placed on the market alongside their own production.

After the War, they opened the first self-service warehouses in Switzerland. This was the start of today's mass distribution. Adele and Dino Iseppi's three sons joined the Company. On 1 January 1960, Iseppi & Co, now Iseppi Frutta, was founded. The Company was modernised and the first large lorry was purchased. The existing structures were renewed and modernised and in 1992 the plant in Dornach (Basel) was purchased. To pursue the European market, on the other hand, Villafrut Srl was founded in 1984.

Today, more than 215 collaborators contribute to the success of the Iseppi Group which, overall, sells in the European market 135,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables, for a turnover of approximately 198 million Euros. Almost all of them were present at the dinner, which ended with a group photo and the cutting of the cake.

Who is the Iseppi Group?

The Iseppi Group follows the entire chain from production to delivery, seeking to meet the requirements of its Customers, large retail chains. This is possible thanks to production partners located across Europe and overseas, its own storage and processing infrastructures and integrated logistics. Iseppi Frutta thus represents the ideal partner in the fruit and vegetables sector for mass distribution in Switzerland while Villafrut represents the ideal partner in the fruit and vegetables sector for mass distribution in various European countries.

Where is it located?

The original base of the company Iseppi Frutta SA is located in Campascio in Valposchiavo (Grisons - Switzerland) while the main headquarters are located in Dornach in Basel (Switzerland). From these two locations, it is quickly able to reach its Customers across Switzerland.

Villafrut srl is located close to Verona (Italy), and is the independent headquarters for Italy and the EU. From this position, it is able to reach Customers in Italy and in European countries.

Who are its production partners?

Its production partners are some carefully selected farmers. The strengths in the management of production partners are:

drafting of production rules based upon the requirements of Customers and aimed at eco-sustainable agriculture;
assistance in selecting and applying farming techniques and the products applied during cultivation;
quality control of products by treatment logbook monitoring, pre-harvest analyses and checks on the product being delivered;

In addition, Iseppi also produces its own pome fruit and stone fruit in Grisons (Switzerland), in Valtellina and in Piedmont (Italy).

The Iseppi Companies have the following certifications: ISO 9001:2008, ISO 22000:2005, FSSC 22000, BIO, SA 8000, SwissGAP, SWISS GARANTIE, CULINARIUM. The Iseppi Group is an associate member of Global G.a.p. for food quality and safety across the chain.

The Iseppi Group has two own brands: Jolife and Pico Bello, and two licences for production and marketing within Switzerland of the Rubens® apple variety and the Allegra® brand.

Description of photos:

Adele Biancotti and Dino Iseppi.
St. Moritz in the 1930s.
Adele Biancotti and Dino Iseppi with their three sons: Renato, Delio and Arturo.
The Villafrut warehouse in Villafontana (Verona; northern Italy).
Staff of the Iseppi Group present at the dinner.
The cutting of the cake. Right, Renato Iseppi and left, his brother Arturo Iseppi.
From left: Luca Fabris, Villatrans Director; Roberto Iseppi, Iseppi Frutta Director; Javier Casares, Villagrow Director; Paola Iseppi; Matteo Falzi, Villafrut Director; Andrea Iseppi, Iseppi Frutta Director.