Our story
Our story is a tale of inspiration, courage, initiative, enterprise, and hard work, starting from one man and his wife who had the ambition to build something thanks to their commitment and their understanding of the world and the changes it was going through.
1954
A family story
In the town of Angri, in the province of Salerno, Diodato Ferraioli founded the company La Doria, with his wife Anna by his side and together they were able to look ahead and imagine the future.
1957
Our brand
The trademark of La Doria was officially registered for sales of peeled tomatoes and tomato paste on the Italian market. The company began to export its products to the US with the brands of American importers.
60’S
Not only tomatoes
The company’s product range was diversified so that the spiced sauces, pickled vegetables, vegetables, legumes, fruit juices and canned fruit in syrup were added to tomato-based products and the domestic production of tinplate containers was developed.
Exportation to the UK began.
70’S
Innovation
Innovative products such as tomato pulps and purées were added to the range.
1973
From a factory to a company
The Diodato Ferraioli Fabbrica Conserve Alimentari was transformed into La Doria S.n.c. owned by Diodato Ferraioli &. Co.
1975
International Vocation
La Doria expanded to the Arab countries, in addition to France, Germany and Australia.
WHERE IT GATHERS LIVELY EMOTIONS, NEW LOOKS AND IDEAS TO ENCOURAGE A PROJECT THAT CONSTANTLY LOOKS TO THE FUTURE.
1978
La Doria S.p.A. and Private label
La Doria becomes a joint stock company owned by Diodato Ferraioli S.p.A. and the company starts selling products under private labels in the UK (its own brands that large-scale British retailers began to develop).
80’S
The family looks towards the future
Some of the Diodato children join the company and a major investment plan is launched.
1982
A difficult year
The crisis in the sector and the damage caused by the earthquake bring the company to its knees and it is forced to go into receivership.
1983
A new generation
Diodato Ferraioli dies and his sons Antonio and Andrea take the reins of the company. They then manage to lead it through this difficult period.
1984
The crisis is surmounted
La Doria comes out of receivership and by the late ’80s the company is prospering once again.
1995
An important breakthrough
The company is quoted on the stock market in order to fund its projects for expansion and growth.
1996
New perspectives
An important policy of acquisitions in Italy and abroad is put into practice.
La Doria acquires a minority stake in Delfino S.p.A. – which will then acquire Althea S.p.A. of Parma (a company producing pasta sauces) – and it takes control of Pomagro S.r.l. (a company producing canned tomatoes).
1997
The conquest of the UK market
A joint venture is launched with Gerber Foods, for the marketing of La Doria products in Great Britain. The following year the company takes control of Gerber – La Doria Ltd and becomes the supplier of choice for many of the best-known retail chains in the UK.
1999
The production site at Sarno
La Doria takes over from Star a production site at Sarno. This is an industrial area covering 195,000 square meters where new plants, packaging lines and a storage area are established.
2000
Large investments for the future
An investment plan of over 70 billion Liras is initiated with the aim of increasing volumes and efficiency and reducing production costs, effecting all of the company’s plants, particularly the complex at Sarno.
2004
New Acquisitions
With the acquisition of 80% of Sanafrutta S.p.A./Confruit S.p.A., the Group becomes the second largest Italian producer of fruit juices / fruit-based drinks and the first in the private labels segment.
In the same year the Group indirectly takes control of Eugea Mediterranea, thereby increasing its overall production capacity of tomato-based products by 30%.
2006
Rationalization of the corporate structure
There is a total acquisition of the shares of Pomagro S.r.l. (with which the company is merged in 2007) and a merger with Sanafrutta S.p.A./Confruit G.
SINCE 2011
A boost in internationalization
La Doria increases its market share in Italy and abroad (Great Britain, Australia, Japan and Germany).
The plant in Fisciano is expanded with the purchase of a new industrial building of 60,000 square meters and the internal depot and storage area is increased, as well as the production capacity.
2012
The excellence of Made in Italy products
Tradizione Italiana is set up as a consortium that brings together the culinary excellence of Made in Italy products. The intention is to target new markets.
2014
New records
La Doria acquires the entire share capital of the Pa.Fi.Al. S.r.l. Group, a holding company owned by the companies Delfino S.p.A. and Althea S.p.A. La Doria becomes the leading Italian producer of private label pasta sauces and one of the leading producers in Europe.
La Doria today
In 2022, the majority of La Doria’s share capital was acquired by an investment subsidiary of the Investindustrial VII fund, while some members of the Ferraioli family retained a minority stake.
After 27 years of listing, La Doria S.p.A. is now a private company.
