Rivoira Group Timeline
Key milestones in growth, innovation and international expansion from 1950 to today.
Foundation of Rivoira and first cold store
In the post-war period, Giovanni Rivoira founded the company together with his brothers Andrea and Michele.
The first company-owned cold store was built in Falicetto (Verzuolo), with a capacity of 3,000 quintals.
First exports
Exports of apples and peaches to France, Germany and Algeria begin.
Capacity expansion and controlled atmosphere
Following the inauguration of a new cold storage facility with a capacity of 11,000 quintals, the company becomes one of Italy’s leading overseas fruit exporters, among the first to establish commercial relationships with Saudi Arabia, Libya and the Middle East.
In 1966, the first controlled-atmosphere storage rooms are built.
Introduction of kiwifruit in Italy
Import of the first plants in 1972 and the establishment of the first kiwifruit orchards in Italy in 1975, thanks to growers associated with the company.
High-tech facility
Inauguration of the first plant in Italy featuring automatic sorting by weight and colour (54 fruits per second), based on aerospace-derived technology, along with automated palletising and packing systems.
Establishment of Kiwi Uno S.p.A.
Opening of a new facility with cold storage installations and a production line dedicated exclusively to kiwifruit.
Third generation
During the 1990s, Marco and Gualtiero Rivoira join the company, representing the third generation of the family.
Ambrosia
Ambrosia is launched on the market. Over the years, Rivoira plants more than 400 hectares, licenses a further 250 hectares to Val Venosta, and the Ambrosia club becomes the third largest in Europe by volume.
New offices and growth
The new headquarters on Via Pomarolo are opened to accommodate a rapidly expanding team.
New investments
Storage capacity exceeds 50,000 tonnes in controlled atmosphere.
Kiwi Uno adds a new line for peaches, nectarines, plums and kiwifruit.
First automated warehouse in Europe for fruit and vegetables and establishment of the OP
With an investment of €26 million, a warehouse unique in the European fruit and vegetable sector comes into operation: a facility capable of processing up to 100,000 tonnes of apples, featuring a 6,500-tonne automated tower (18,000 bins), a 2,000-tonne pallet tower (1,680 pallets), 18 processing lines (150 trucks per week), and an automatic pre-grading system (35 t/hour) with radio-frequency forklifts. Watch the video
OP Rivoira is established. 105 member companies and over 1,000 hectares of cultivated land in the Piedmont region, particularly in the province of Cuneo.
Kiwi Uno looks to the future
A new Kiwi Vision 3.0 grading line by Unitec is installed for kiwifruit and stone fruit.
Rivoira and Kiwi Uno launch the cherries project with the opening of a dedicated warehouse. Watch the video
Two ripening rooms are installed for ready-to-eat yellow kiwifruit.
Sambóa – The three sisters
Sambóa® is the first proprietary varietal project of the Rivoira Group, for which the company also acts as Global Master Licensee. Three varieties form a unique apple project, ensuring year-round production within the same production ecosystem.
Kikokà and robotics
Rivoira signs a Global Master License agreement with NKP, in partnership with the University of Udine, for kiwifruit varieties that will later be branded as Kikokà.
Two new apple handling lines equipped with Maf Roda robotic arms are added.
New hub in Greece
A new facility is inaugurated in Greece, located in the heart of the main fruit-growing area of Central Macedonia. The new RS Holding site covers a total area of 14,000 m² and offers a storage capacity of 13,000 tonnes.
Corporate reorganisation and new cold store
Kiwi Uno is merged into Rivoira, creating a single, fully integrated hub.
The latest cold storage facility is inaugurated, covering an area of 5,000 m².
Key figures
Rivoira and Kiwi Uno exceed 100,000 tonnes of fruit marketed each year. Currently, 95% of production is exported, of which 65% is destined for overseas markets.
The company spans a total area of 150,000 m², operates more than 100 cold storage rooms and involves over 2,000 people across all stages of the supply chain, from the orchard to packing and distribution in international markets.
Foundation of Rivoira and first cold store
Foundation of the company in the post-war period and first cold store in Falicetto (3,000 q).
First exports
Exports of apples and peaches to France, Germany and Algeria begin.
Expansion & CA
New facility (11,000 q), controlled-atmosphere storage rooms and expansion into the Middle East market.
Kiwi arrives
First imported plants and the first kiwi plantations in Italy.
High technology
Facility with automatic sorting (54 fruits/second), automated palletizing and packaging.
Kiwi Uno is born
New facility with a production line dedicated exclusively to kiwi.
Third generation
Marco and Gualtiero Rivoira join the company.
Modernization
New offices in Via Pomarolo and capacity growth exceeding 50,000 tonnes in controlled atmosphere (CA).
Ambrosia
Launch of Ambrosia, which becomes the third apple club in Europe by volume.
New investments
Over 50,000 tonnes in controlled atmosphere (CA) and a new Kiwi Uno line for peaches, nectarines, plums and kiwi.
Automated warehouse
First automated warehouse in Europe for fruit and vegetables, with a capacity of up to 100,000 tonnes of apples.
OP Rivoira
The OP is established with 105 member companies and over 1,000 hectares cultivated in Piedmont.
Kiwi Uno towards the future
Kiwi Vision 3.0 line, cherry project and ripening rooms for yellow kiwi.
Samboa
First proprietary varietal project: three “sisters” to cover the entire year.
Kikokà & robotics
Master License agreement for Kikokà kiwi and production lines with Maf Roda robotic arms.
Greece Hub
New RS Holding warehouse in Central Macedonia (14,000 m², 13,000 t).
Reorganization & new cold storage facility
Kiwi Uno–Rivoira merger and inauguration of a 5,000 m² cold storage facility.
Leadership
100,000+ t/year, 95% export, over 100 controlled-atmosphere (CA) rooms and more than 2,000 people involved.