Colavita

Colavita USA
Private (family-owned)
Industry food processing
Founded 1978
Headquarters Edison, New Jersey, United States
Area served
 Worldwide
Key people
 John J Profaci (Founder), Enrico Colavita (Founder), Giovanni Colavita (CEO)
Products Pasta, Olive Oil, Tomato Sauce, Soup, Vinegar, Wine
Revenue Increase $ 91.65 million (2013)[1]
Number of employees
 Approximately 80 (United States)
Website http://www.colavita.com/

Colavita USA is a privately held, family operated Italian[2] company that produces and imports olive oil, dried pasta, vinegar, various sauces, among other Italian food products.

History

Giovanni Colavita, CEO of Colavita USA with a crate of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Colavita USA was founded by John J Profaci, who, at the time, was a resident of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Profaci was introduced to Enrico Colavita in 1978 after Colavita came to the United States in search of someone who had knowledge on producing olive oil.[3] Profaci, who had been in the olive oil business for years, agreed to go into business with Colavita, and the business was born. Today, Colavita's output comprises roughly 9% of the total market. Colavita in Rome, Italy owns 80% of the United States importer.[4]

Enrico Colavita (left), and John J Profaci (right), have been friends and business partners since 1978.

Impact on the environment

In 2011, Colavita moved from Elizabeth, New Jersey to its current location in Edison, New Jersey. In 2012 the company invested in a 1-megawatt solar system involving the installation of nearly 3,000 photovoltaic panels on the building's roof, which spans over 100,000 square feet. This green initiative not only benefited the environment, but the company as well— Colavita draws nearly 90% of its required energy from the solar panels. A significant amount of this energy is used to power the bottling and warehouse operations, which are located on site. As a result, over 1,600 metric tons of annual carbon offsets and 3.5 million pounds of greenhouse gasses were reduced from the outputs that the building would have previously expended.[5]

Popular culture

Today, the company remains largely family-based as John Profaci Sr. works alongside his sons Anthony, John, and Robert. On the Italian side, Enrico Colavita (now retired) passed the business on to his nephew Giovanni, the CEO of Colavita USA, as well as Giovanni's cousin Andre, the CEO of Colavita Italy.

The company also distributes leading Italian brands such as Cirio beans and tomatoes, Riso Scotti rices, and San Benedetto beverages to restaurants and stores across the United States. Colavita also produces and distributes products for well-known Italian food connoisseurs such as Rachel Ray and Patsy's. It is also the sole U.S. importer and distributor of Italian chocolate company Perugina.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Colavita USA L L C Edison NJ, 08817 – Manta.com". Manta.
  2. ↑ Colavita, Storia
  3. ↑ http://njmonthly.com/articles/lifestyle/people/oil-baron.html
  4. ↑ http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/company-profile.Colavita_Usa_LLC.5802c979a39df7d7.html
  5. ↑ "Exhibitor News from Specialty Food Association".
  6. ↑ http://new.perugina.com/colavita/
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