Barilla’s history through key milestones
Barilla's Roots
Besides putting a smile on our faces whenever we look back, our history reminds us of the immense progress we have made as a Company.
1877-1912: Pietro Sr. at the helm of the Company
1877 - Barilla’s beginnings
Pietro Barilla opened a bread and pasta shop in Parma. Here started a story of quality, innovation, and passion for outstanding work.
1912-1947: Gualtiero and Riccardo at the helm of the Company
1910 - The first factory
First factory is built: 80 workers produce 8 tons of pasta and 2 tons of bread per day thanks to innovative “continuous baking” oven.
1936 - Innovation in pasta production and start of a commercial network
6 continuous presses – for the first time, combining the functions of a mixer, a kneader and a press. Start of commercial network development by Pietro – Riccardo’s son.
1937 - Nutrition Innovation
Barilla launched the Phosphine pasta, enriched with phosphorus, the ideal dietary food for a critical period in Italy.
1947-1993: Gianni and Pietro at the helm of the Company
1947 - Organization of the Company
Gianni and Pietro Barilla divided up their tasks. Gianni took the manufacturing and administration, while Pietro managed the sales market, advertising and public relations.
1950 - Pietro in the US
Intellectual curiosity pushed Pietro to travel to the United States in 1950 in search for the most innovative techniques on packaging, marketing and mass distribution. While Gianni, together with Manfredo Manfredi, gave the Company’s technical innovation a new push, with the new cardboard packaging.
1952 - The courage of innovative choices
A courageous business choice: the traditional fresh bread bakery was closed to further develop the brand’s presence in the pasta market. Innovation in Communication, with the partnership with graphic artist and famous architect Erberto Carboni.
1965 - Expansion of the Company and innovative advertising
Innovative and impactful communication thanks to Mina’s participation more than 60 clips for "Carosello” on Italian TV.
1969 - The largest pasta production plant
New production plant built in Pedrignano (Parma) that counted more than 120 meters of production line, producing 1,000 tons of pasta a day.
1979 - The return of Pietro Barilla
Pietro Barilla managed to buy back his Company and continued his innovative approach in communication with advertising spots by famous directors such as Federico Fellini and cartoons like Mulino Bianco’s Little White Miller.
1993-Today: Guido, Luca and Paolo at the helm of the Company
1999 - Ames
Inauguration of the first US plant in Ames, Iowa.
2004 - Academia Barilla
Inauguration of Academia Barilla: an international project devoted to safeguarding, developing, and promoting the regional Italian gastronomic culture as a unique World Heritage.
2007 - New plant in US
Expansion continues in US with second pasta plant in Avon, NY.
2009 - Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition launch
Created to better understand and share knowledge about the food chain, from production to waste, consumption, and sustainability. Today the Barilla Foundation is multidisciplinary center of high level experts who tackle complex issues and translate them into simple messages and proposals.
2012 - Inauguration of Rubbiano Sauces Plant
The first Pasta Sauces Plant in Italy, in technologically advanced, high potential, efficient and sustainable facility.
2013 - Brazil
Entry in the Brazilian market with a dedicated product range.
2014 - Gluten Free pasta
New Gluten Free line launched across the world.
2015 - Wheat transport train
The first wheat transport train arrives at the Barilla plant in Parma.
2016 - People Wellbeing, Sustainable Sourcing
The company continues to improve the nutritional profile of its products, replacing palm oil in its bakery portfolio and expanding the range of whole grain products. The new Bio/Organic Pasta is launched on the European and US markets: 100% selected durum wheat from organic farms.
2016 - 3D Pasta
A shape is drawn on the computer, then the information is transmitted to the printer that materializes it using dough instead of ink.
2017 - Barilla celebrates 140 years of its history
Since 140 years Barilla is passionate about pasta, from the field to the table, and it is committed to bring people the best experiences: high quality and great tasty moments, preserving our planet.
2018 - Investing in the future
Barilla announces to invest 1 billion euros over five years on its industrial assets. About 60% of the investments is aimed at boosting competitiveness and sustainability by improving processes and technologies, while about 40% is aimed at supporting innovation and geographic expansion.
2022 - Barilla celebrates 145 years heritage
The company celebrates its 145th anniversary with a new visual identity of Barilla pasta brand, the launch of the new range of pasta Al Bronzo’, and the reopening of the historic Bottega in Parma.