Innovazione

☕ The Accademia Bartist, a training center for cappuccino artistry, was inaugurated by Centrale del Latte di Roma and Coffee Academy Italia at the company's premises in via Fondi. President Fabio Massimo Pallottini and world Latte Art champion Carmen Clemente attended the opening. Starting February 24, the Academy will offer courses like the Basic Barista Course and Latte Art Base Course, with six sessions planned in the first six months. Over 2,000 local establishments use the company's high-quality milk, and Bartist aims to expand this network with specialized training and quality certifications. For more information, visit Centrale del Latte di Roma and Coffee Academy Italia's websites and social channels.

🍪 Lesaffre Italia celebrated the 130th anniversary of their L'hirondelle brand by releasing L'hirondelle 1895, a new yeast strain ideal for traditional pizza, pinsa, bread, and extended fermentations. Presented in a 2.5kg package, it suits the average consumption of pizzerias. Additionally, the Lesaffre & Me app was launched at Sigep as a digital assistant for fermentation professionals, featuring "Dr.Bread" for technical inquiries and a Cost-In-Use tool to optimize recipe production costs. A loyalty program also offers exclusive benefits for frequent customers.

📦 De' Longhi closed 2024 with a 14% annual revenue increase, peaking at 18% in the last quarter. The company has seen six consecutive quarters of solid growth, particularly in the coffee and nutrition segments. Revenue growth of 5% to 7% is projected for 2025, with a forecasted adjusted EBITDA of €555 million for 2024. Growth was balanced across geographic regions and product lines. Full 2024 consolidated results will be reviewed on March 14, 2025.

📊 The NewCo, a leader in ID Resolution, launches Precision, a suite of 4 tools designed to support marketers by measuring the effectiveness of advertising campaigns and audiences. Precision introduces a privacy-respectful approach, integrating first and third-party data through a Data Clean Room, and features AI-based algorithms for customized solutions. The suite includes Audiences, Boost, Scenario, and GRPeak, each addressing specific business needs such as media optimization, attribution models, budget allocation, and evaluating TV/radio plan effectiveness. Founded in 2018, The NewCo is a principal Italian entity in cookieless solutions and retail media.

📱 Epta Group, leader in commercial refrigeration, showcased its custom solutions for the horeca market at Sigep, featuring brands Iarp, Eurocryor, and EptaConcept. Massimo Bravo highlighted solutions like the Fruit Bar, merging display and operational space, and the Chiringuito, equipped for outdoor selling even at 40°C and 40% humidity. Innovative products include the Globo Retrò ice cream counter and an automatic artisanal ice cream vending machine. All designs are inspired by Made in Italy and Epta Group's international appeal.

🍴 Italy has over 330,000 food service establishments, facing a slight decline due to intense market competition. In 2025, consumer trends in the Italian restaurant market emphasize healthy, plant-based but original dishes, including international flavors like sweet-sour, spicy, or fermented. Google searches by the end of 2024 showed a surge in interest for ramen and gourmet coffee. The demand for local, sustainable, and cost-effective ingredients is rising, notably among Generation Z. Personalized gastronomic experiences are becoming more popular, encouraging restaurants to track customer habits for tailored marketing strategies. The European statistical institute EURES highlights a persistent staff shortage in the industry, suggesting technology, such as self-order systems, to alleviate workload and improve customer satisfaction. FIPE's annual report notes that Italian restaurateurs are investing more in technology—55% in advanced cash register software, 31% in management systems, and tools for online reservations and digital menus. By 2026, a legislative change will require electronic payment terminals (POS) to connect with fiscal registers to aid anti-evasion checks by Italy's Revenue Agency, impacting hardware and software in the sector.

📱 Think:water, with a history spanning nearly 30 years in Cittadella near Padova, has established itself as a European and international brand. Specializing in reverse osmosis filters for both domestic and professional channels, carbon filters with dechlorination properties, and resin filters for anti-scale purposes, they aim to innovate the Horeca world's water filtration. Recently, they've introduced IoT technology to professional washing filters and a new filter for heavy metal removal, such as arsenic, copper, and PFAS, enhancing their versatile market presence.

🏡 "Dream of the Desert", the first Italian five-star train in Saudi Arabia, designed by architect Aline Asmar d'Amman of Culture in Architecture, features 14 carriages and 34 luxury suites. The train reflects the charm of the Arabian desert, with sandy tones and premium materials honoring local craftsmanship. Paolo Barletta, CEO of Gruppo Arsenale, announced operations will begin by the end of Q3 2026, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 to boost high-end tourism and showcase local culture. The initiative includes cultural programs in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Culture. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics and president of SAR, highlighted its strategic importance for Saudi transport and logistics network development.