“The digital transformation project we are implementing reflects our vision for the future and is the result of joint efforts between the agricultural sector, colleagues, and partners. This is what we aim to achieve in the coming years,” explains Pier Paolo Rosetti, General Manager of Conserve Italia. “We are proud of our mission, where cooperation remains central to creating shared value.”
Conserve Italia is a consortium of 35 cooperatives and 14,000 producers, processing around 600,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables annually. It includes historic brands such as Valfrutta, Cirio, and Yoga, and exports to more than 70 countries. To address ecological and digital transition, the consortium has launched an €86 million industrial plan covering seven Italian plants by 2026. For intralogistics, the company partnered with E80 Group to redesign key processes at its largest European facility and integrate advanced technologies and next-generation digital solutions. The plan aims to cut 12,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year compared to previous standards.
“With increasing process complexity, our intralogistics system and storage capacity highlighted the need for evolution,” says Gabriele Brignani, Chief Operating Officer of Conserve Italia.
POMPOSA: THE TRANSFORMATION HUB
Facing global market pressures and increasingly complex flows, the group has completely rethought its operating model. The Pomposa plant is now a benchmark for sustainable smart factories, combining tradition and innovation to ensure full product traceability and meet customer demands, strengthening competitiveness. This initiative is not just a technological investment but a decisive step toward a future where Pomposa becomes a reference point for the entire agri-food sector, driven by sustainability and digitalization.
“Since production began at this site – one of Europe’s largest for vegetable preserves – there has been continuous, radical change. The plant evolved from seasonal raw material processing to continuous 24/7 production and became the group’s main shipping hub,” concludes Gabriele Brignani.
OPERATIONAL CONTINUITY AND INNOVATION
The site remained fully operational throughout implementation. Thanks to rigorous planning, the project was executed in 14 phases, minimizing impact on daily activities and maintaining quality standards. Every department was involved, requiring precise coordination to integrate new technologies without halting production. A site manager oversaw the process, supported by an embedded engineer for one year post-commissioning, ensuring ongoing training, issue management, and direct access to 24/7 assistance.
Beyond technology, the project drove cultural change, reinforcing teamwork and data management as key to efficient flows and informed technical, logistical, and economic decisions. Digital simulation optimized the layout before installation, avoiding production disruptions.
“We worked hand-in-hand with Conserve Italia’s team, identifying optimization opportunities and starting operations without stopping production,” says Giovanni Vignoli, Project Manager at E80 Group.
INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS BY E80 GROUP
E80 Group’s solutions have transformed the site, which now features high-density automated warehouses designed to optimize space and handle thousands of pallets quickly and safely.
These systems integrate LGVs (Laser Guided Vehicles), all coordinated by the SM.I.LE80 platform, synchronizing every operational phase from raw material receipt to finished product dispatch.
The facilities also include automated palletizing and wrapping systems, robotic labelling, and picking solutions, creating a fully integrated infrastructure that is scalable, modular, and ready to adapt to future market needs.
The Pomposa project is a replicable model: technologies and processes will be extended to other plants, building a network of smart, connected, and sustainable factories. This strategy strengthens Conserve Italia’s competitiveness and accelerates the journey toward a fully digitalized agri-food supply chain.
