Barilla, continuity of employment, fundamental prerequisite for sale of mills

The proposals presented by Pastificio Liguori SpA for the acquisition of the Marcianise (Caserta) plant and by Molino Casillo SpA for the Altamura (Bari) and Castelplanio (Ancora) mills are in the advanced negotiation stage. The Barilla group underlines this, specifying that "employment continuity for all the people involved is a fundamental prerequisite for both operations".

"Liguori and Casillo - continues the Barilla group - have expressed their availability and desire to preserve the production continuity of the sites involved, protecting employment and skills present in their respective territories and ensuring new development prospects in the long term. Furthermore, production destined for the Barilla group will continue to be carried out in the same sites, on the basis of multi-year supply contracts with the purchasing companies".

The sale of the mills is part of the industrial plan for the South announced in recent weeks by Barilla, which also includes the creation of a new integrated pasta hub in Foggia with an investment of one hundred million euros. "This important industrial plan, dedicated to Southern Italy, confirms our industrial commitment in Southern Italy through the creation in Foggia of one of the Group's strategic pasta hubs, so as to satisfy the need to improve our logistical and production efficiency, an essential element to remain competitive in a challenging market such as that of pasta - explains Giovanni Palopoli, head of Meal Solutions Operations of the Barilla Group -. At the same time, we have set as essential conditions the production continuity of the sites involved and the protection of the employment and treatment of all People affected by the operations".