Our History
12/2006
Massimiliano, with us since 2006
As our organization expanded, we started receiving job applications from nearby towns. That's how, in 2006, Massimiliano, or Massimo, joined our team from Guidonia. He took charge of the Vertical production line, where he gained valuable experience and grew in his role. Reliable and consistently accurate, his dedication has greatly contributed to the company's recent growth.
01/2007
Chiara, with us since 2007
As the back office's operations and the number of customers to manage gradually increased, a very young Chiara, who graduated with top marks, was just starting her career. We decided to invest in her potential, and we weren't wrong. She began by working at the switchboard and the secretariat, but over the years, she has become a key member of the Sales office. Always smiling and efficient, she has grown both professionally and personally alongside the company.
01/2007
Typical Regional Recipes
One of the product ranges that has always set us apart in the market is our collection of typical regional recipes. The idea was simple: Italian olives, naturally grown and seasoned according to the popular traditions of their places of origin. This was the first product line to focus on the "Made In Italy" concept. At the time, we were entering foreign markets and needed to export something unique and authentically Italian to counter the competition we were facing. The Sicilian, Calabrese, Abruzzese, Neapolitan, Genoese, and Roman recipes successfully showcased the story of our country in various markets, and they continue to do so today, including on platforms like Amazon.
01/2007
Antonio, with us since 2007
When he handed over his CV, I was struck by his appearance and his friendly face. Antonio joined the company and was immediately put in charge of one of the top-performing packaging lines. Over the years, he gained experience on all production lines, trained new employees, consistently grew, and always took on new challenges with great dedication and loyalty to the company.
01/2007
Luana, with us since 2007
As the number of employees steadily increased, production operators' working days became busier. A resource to keep the work environment tidy and clean on a daily basis became necessary. Luana, who has established solid relationships with all company functions over the years, always maintains her calm and helps us work in a pleasant environment.
05/2007
First participation to TUTTOFOOD
After our second participation at Cibus in Parma, another Italian trade fair event was created: TUTTOFOOD in Milan. We believed in the international nature of this fair from the beginning, and the first edition was a great success, especially in terms of international markets. Thanks to the contacts developed in Milan in 2007, we still serve countries such as South Africa, South Korea, and the United States. During this edition, we tried out a marketing activity that still distinguishes Ficacci at the fair today: the Shoppers. From 2007 to today, hundreds of thousands of shopping bags have been given away to visitors around the world.
06/2007
BRC & IFS New Food Safety Standards
We used to primarily serve Northern European countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, and Holland. When potential customers asked about our quality systems, we found that being ISO:9000 certified and compliant with HACCP regulation wasn't sufficient for larger European retailers. To meet their standards, we decided to implement the BRC and IFS quality systems. The implementation process was challenging as we were still operating in our old production site, and every restructuring intervention had financial and operational impacts. However, our hard work paid off when we obtained both BRC and IFS certifications with the highest scores (BRC Achieved Grade: AA – IFS Higher Level) in the summer of 2007. Today, we maintain these high-quality standards and have adjusted everything according to our current production volumes and infrastructure BRC and IFS.
09/2007
The MistOlive…
In the autumn of 2007, we introduced a brand new concept to the olive industry: the multi-product box. What set it apart for consumers was the container, which could be repurposed at home once the olives were finished. The response was incredible: we were shipping out dozens of pallets of these MistOlive boxes every day. Our customers and consumers embraced the idea with enthusiasm, recognizing the innovation immediately. Building on this success, the following year we introduced a cardboard display containing our classic olives along with a practical home gift.
10/2008
Our Debut at SIAL Paris
We decided it was time to expand our horizons and explore new opportunities beyond national borders. Paris was our first strategic stop, as we participated in the prestigious SIAL International Food Exhibition. Right from the start, we became aware of numerous European competitors we had not known about previously. This discovery became a crucial catalyst for innovation, driving the development of new products and recipes tailored to international markets, where a spicier and less salty taste was preferred. Our first major success was the positive feedback on the crispiness and distinctive flavor of our fresh, raw, unpasteurized olives. This confirmed that we were on the right track, ready to make a mark in foreign markets with a product that truly stands out. This year, after sixteen years, we will participate for the eighth time. We participate every two years, except in 2020 due to Covid. See you in Paris from 19 to 23 October at Hall 5A, Booth # L103
11/2008
Esselunga: A Key Partner
In the fall of 2008, a major business opportunity emerged. After extensive presentations, samples, and commercial meetings, we received our first order from Esselunga. Initially, only one product was listed: the 500g bucket of Giant Sweet Olives. Today, Esselunga carries over ten products from our assortment, and they continue to be a highly valued partner for us. This collaboration has been crucial to our company's growth.
11/2008
First Trade Mission to the USA
Also in the fall of 2008, we decided to expand our horizons beyond Europe and bring our fresh olives to the United States. Along with four other agri-food companies, we flew to California to meet local distributors who were interested in our products. The enthusiasm of those days marked the beginning of our "American Dream." After 16 years, we can proudly say that our hard work has paid off: the results are tangible and continually growing.
11/2008
Antonio Garofolo: an example of growth and dedication
In 2008, we hired a young line operator, Antonio, from our small provincial town. From the very first days, he stood out for his exceptional dedication and strong commitment to the company’s values. Antonio quickly demonstrated an impressive ability to understand and manage the technical aspects of the production line, showing a natural talent. Thanks to his hard work and desire to grow, he soon moved from the production line to the maintenance department, where he quickly rose from assistant to head of the department. Antonio is the perfect example of the kind of person every company dreams of having: someone who can swiftly solve complex problems and lead the implementation of process innovations. Today, Antonio is not only a cornerstone of our team but has also embarked on a new personal journey, recently becoming a father. We wish him all the best in his career here at Ficacci and in his personal life. We are confident that he will continue to shine inside and outside the company.