Pernigotti facts for kids

Pernigotti is a famous Italian company. It makes delicious chocolates, especially its special Gianduiotto. This is a tasty treat made with chocolate and hazelnuts. Pernigotti also makes nougats, Easter eggs, and ice creams.

It is one of Italy's oldest and most traditional candy makers. The company started in 1860 in a town called Novi Ligure. People in Italy often say, "Pernigotti is to chocolate what Ferrari is to cars." This means it's a top-quality brand!

History of Pernigotti

Early Beginnings

Pernigotti began in 1860 as a small grocery shop. The Pernigotti family owned it for five generations. They were very proud of their products.

By 1882, their quality was well-known. King Umberto I of Italy gave the company a special honor. He allowed them to use the royal coat of arms on their factory sign. This was a big deal!

Innovation During Wartime

In 1914, during the First World War, sugar became scarce. The Italian government stopped its use in sweets. This could have been a big problem for Pernigotti.

But Francesco Pernigotti had a clever idea. He used more honey instead of sugar. This made a new kind of nougat. It had a unique and wonderful texture. This showed how creative the company could be.

In 1919, Paolo Pernigotti took over the company. He followed in his father Francesco's footsteps.

Growth and Challenges

After World War II, Pernigotti's main factory was destroyed. They moved their main office to a new factory in Novi Ligure. This is where it still is today.

Pernigotti has many famous products. The Gianduiotto chocolate started being made in 1927. Other popular treats include Cremino, Pepitas, and Nocciolato.

In the 1980s, the company faced some tough times. They had to sell off parts of their business.

In 1995, Stefano Pernigotti decided to sell the company. The Averna family bought Pernigotti. They were known for making popular drinks.

Recent Changes

On July 11, 2013, the Averna family sold Pernigotti. A Turkish company called Toksöz bought it. This group also works in sweets, medicine, and energy.

In 2019, Pernigotti sold its "Ice & Pastry" part of the business. This section made ingredients for ice cream and pastries. It was bought by Optima Group.

Stefano Pernigotti, a former owner, passed away in 2020 at 98 years old.

In 2022, the Toksöz group sold Pernigotti again. JP Morgan Asset Management became the new owner. In July 2023, another company called Invitalia also joined as a partner. They now own 25% of Pernigotti.

What Pernigotti Makes

Pernigotti makes many delicious things. They produce different kinds of chocolate. They also make tasty nougats and special Easter eggs.

They also create "semilavorati" for ice cream. This means they make the basic cream mixes. These mixes are then used by ice cream shops to create their own ice cream flavors.

In 2018, there were concerns about the Novi Ligure factory closing. The company had faced financial difficulties. However, since JP Morgan Asset Management took over, production has started again. The historic factory in Novi Ligure is now busy making sweets once more.

See also

In Spanish: Pernigotti para niños