Innovazione

☕ Rancilio Group, led by Coffee Competence & Product Manager Carles González, released two videos detailing the extraction systems of Rancilio and Rancilio Specialty professional coffee machines using advanced 3D animations and graphics. The first video covers the Steady Brew (SB) system in single-boiler machines from Classe 5 to Classe 20 and Invicta, showing manual T-Switch temperature adjustments and Pre-infusion and Post-infusion available only with Rancilio Specialty Invicta. The second video explains the Advanced Steady Brew (ASB), Xcelsius (XTP), and Advanced Temperature Profiling (ATP) in multi-boiler machines, particularly focusing on Rancilio Classe 11 and Rancilio Specialty RS1. The videos aim to enhance training for internal staff, authorized technicians, baristas, and industry operators, showcasing the innovative value of Rancilio products.

🍽 Corporate canteens increasingly use self-service with automated checkout systems utilizing AI and machine learning for swift and accurate transactions, enhancing employee lunch breaks by reducing queue times to about five seconds and improving stock management through real-time, error-free data collection. Integration with apps allows for employee payments via badge and table reservations to further streamline the dining experience and eliminate waiting times.

🍫 Giraudi, a chocolate company from Castellazzo Bormida (AL), has launched a new vegan product line crafted by Giacomo and Davide Boidi, consisting of Toste, Quadrelloni, Napolitain, Frutta Candita, Dragées, Gianduiotti, and Gianduione. These products, including 100g Toste with 61% dark chocolate and 750g Quadrellone, are made without animal derivatives, featuring ingredients like Italian nuts and dark chocolate as the base. The vegan Gianduiotti won an award at the International Chocolate Awards 2017.

📱 Chekin offers an innovative solution for property managers to automate check-in procedures, reducing the time spent on daily operations and improving guest satisfaction. The platform simplifies guest communication by sending automated messages with check-in instructions and property details, allowing customization and scheduled delivery. It integrates with property management systems for real-time booking synchronization and automates routine tasks like booking confirmations. Chekin facilitates automated check-ins, including identity verification and key distribution, supporting remote access via smart locks. Compliance with legal guest registration is automated, ensuring legal conformity. Administrative burdens are lessened by digitalizing check-in processes and managing rental contracts and tourist taxes digitally. Post-check-in, Chekin enhances guest experiences with seamless communication for ongoing support and integrates feedback mechanisms. Upselling through the platform allows property managers to offer additional services, tapping into extra revenue streams. Adopting Chekin is a strategic move for property managers aiming for operational excellence in short-term rental management.

🥃 Bonollo 1908, an Italian leader in grappa production, celebrates 25 years of its premium product, Of Amarone Barrique, launched in December 1999. This high-end grappa, aged for 3 years in French oak barriques, became the flagship of Italian spirits and originated the "grappa barrique" category. Elvio Bonollo, representing the fourth generation of the family business, unveiled a new image for Of in Milan, emphasizing its refined experience. Bonollo has also invested in an innovative biogas-to-biomethane conversion facility inaugurated last year and an automated warehouse built in 2020. The company aims to grow internationally, focusing on countries like Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the U.S.

📍 LVG Group, based in Novara, manages nine hotels across Piemonte, Liguria, and Sardegna. Claudio Lavagna, President and CEO, plans to open four new hotels in 2025 in Alassio (2), Pavia, and Modena, aiming to expand into Toscana, Emilia Romagna, and eventually Rome. LVG Hotel Consulting boasts over 130 hotels in consultancy, with 1.09 million room nights annually, generating over €105 million in revenue. The company emphasizes advanced business intelligence, AI for family-run hotels, and owns the Diamonds Hub software for hotel management.

💳 Compass, part of Mediobanca Group, launched HeyLight, a new international Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) platform in 2024, integrating payment and credit solutions following 2021's PagoLight and the acquisition of fintechs Soisy and HeidiPay in 2023. HeyLight operates with higher amounts and durations than the market average, and boasts over 1,000 digital stores, 26,000 points of sale in Italy, and more than 500 agreements in Switzerland. The brand aims to expand internationally, starting with Switzerland, leveraging HeidiPay Switzerland AG's acquisition.

📦 Rio Mare, an Italian brand part of Bolton's Food & Tri Marine Business Unit, launches new Trancetti di Tonno. The superior-quality tuna is 100% MSC certified sustainable. The fillets are hand-processed and enriched with a thread of Olive Oil, marinated in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with citrus juices, and vacuum-packed for fresh flavor and tender texture. Available in Olive Oil and marinades with Lemon or Lime and Ginger, they are ready to eat without draining and come in a convenient self-standing pack.

☕ On September 9, an original coffee event took place in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, organized by the Associazione Maestri dell’Espresso Napoletano led by President Francesco Costanzo. At the event, coffee experts Andrej Godina and Mauro Illiano tasted 17 different coffee references across six different pod machines, totaling 102 sensory responses. The "La Piccola" machine from Carpenedolo (BS), made in Italy by Gianluca Venturelli, was highly praised, along with machines from Spinel and Aroma. The event highlighted the espresso's complexity and the need for consumer education, with the same pod producing different flavors on different machines. Among the coffees tested, notable mentions include "Pulcinella" by Lucaffè, "Espresso Napoletano Formula Bar" by Kimbo, and "Arabica Top Selection" by Kremoso.

📌 GeCo Vacation Rentals, led by CEO Marco Fabbroni, achieved a 150% increase from the previous year. The company has expanded to over 800 properties in Italy, including 100 luxury villas and estates. With process optimization and customer loyalty as contributing factors, GeCo aims to exceed $4 million in revenue and grow its portfolio to over 1,000 properties by 2025, expanding into regions like Liguria, the lake area, Veneto, Amalfi Coast, Sardinia, Calabria, Puglia, Sicily, and internationally in France and Croatia. They plan to invest in innovative technologies and staff training, ensuring personalized service and assistance 365 days a year.