After a pivotal year of strategic and financial transformation, Italian gelato and sorbet maker Tonitto 1939 is preparing for a new milestone in its international expansion. For the first time, the Genoa-based company will exhibit at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York — North America’s leading specialty food trade event — taking place from 23 to 25 June 2025.
The appearance comes as Tonitto develops a major private-label partnership with one of the top three U.S. retailers, aimed at producing a tailored line of gelato for the American market. The trade show appearance is seen as a key step toward finalizing the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
TONITTO RESTRUCTURING DELIVERS PROFITABILITY AND STRATEGIC CLARITY
The past 12 months have marked a period of deep operational overhaul for Tonitto 1939, involving people, processes, organisational structure, and long-term strategy. In 2024, the company reported revenues of €16.2 million — up 13% year-on-year — and an EBITDA of over €900,000, nearly four times higher than the previous year. The company also returned to net profitability, reinforcing its financial base for future expansion.
“This isn’t just a trade show for us — it’s a tangible part of our long-term international vision,” said Alberto Piscioneri, General Manager at Tonitto 1939. “Our 2024–2028 industrial plan is anchored on three pillars: innovation, professionalisation, and international growth. North America has long been in our sights, and the project we’re advancing here represents a high-potential challenge — one we’re ready to meet thanks to the capabilities, agility, and resilience we’ve built in recent years.”
The company has transitioned to a senior management-led operating structure, bringing in experienced professionals from the fast-moving consumer goods sector across all key functions, including commercial, operations, supply chain, marketing, and finance. Internally, Tonitto has bolstered its talent base with targeted hires, new skills, and significant investment in training and development.
FIVE-YEAR GROWTH PLAN WITH INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
Tonitto has set out a five-year strategic plan through 2028, aiming to grow revenues by €10 million organically while deepening its presence in high-potential markets. The company currently operates in more than 35 countries and manages a portfolio of over 300 SKUs, spanning its core Tonitto brand, private-label partnerships, and collaborations with iconic Italian names such as Bauli and Sperlari.
Product innovation remains central to the company’s strategy, with recent launches including no-added-sugar, high-protein, and vegan gelato lines, aligning with global consumer demand for functional and plant-based foods.