Rivoira Group Timeline
Key milestones in growth, innovation and international expansion from 1950 to today.
1950
Birth of Rivoira & first cold storage facility
In the post-war period, Giovanni Rivoira founded the company together with his brothers Andrea and Michele. In Falicetto (Verzuolo), the company’s first cold storage facility was built (3,000 quintals).
1951
First exports
Exports of apples and peaches began to France, Germany, and Algeria.
1960s
Capacity expansion & controlled atmosphere storage
After inaugurating a new cold storage plant (11,000 quintals), the company became one of Italy’s leading exporters of overseas fruit, among the first to establish business relations with Saudi Arabia, Libya, and the Middle East. In 1966, the first controlled atmosphere storage rooms were built.
1972–1975
Introduction of kiwi in Italy
Import of the first plants (1972) and planting of the first kiwi orchards in Italy (1975), thanks to growers linked to the company.
1982
Highly advanced facility
Inauguration of the first plant in Italy with automatic sorting by weight and color (54 fruits/second), using aerospace-derived technology, with automated palletizing and packaging.
1985
Birth of Kiwi Uno S.p.A.
A facility with cold storage and a production line dedicated exclusively to kiwi.
1990s
Third generation
The 1990s marked the entry of Marco and Gualtiero Rivoira into the company, representing the family’s third generation.
2006
Ambrosia
Ambrosia was launched on the market. Over the years, Rivoira would plant more than 400 hectares, license Val Venosta for another 250 hectares, and the Ambrosia club would become the third largest in Europe by volume.
2008
New offices & growth
The new headquarters on Via Pomarolo was opened to accommodate a rapidly expanding team.
2013
New investments
Storage capacity exceeded 50,000 tons in controlled atmosphere. Kiwi Uno added a new line for peaches, nectarines, plums, and kiwi.
2016
First automatic warehouse in Europe for fresh produce and birth of the OP
With an investment of 26 million euros, a warehouse unique in the European fruit and vegetable sector began operations.
The Rivoira OP was established: 105 member farms and more than 1,000 hectares of cultivated land in Piedmont, particularly in the province of Cuneo.
2020
Kiwi Uno looks to the future
A new Kiwi Vision 3.0 Unitec grading line was installed... Two ripening rooms were also installed for yellow kiwi “ready to eat”.
2021
Samboa – the three sisters
Samboa® is the first proprietary varietal project of the Rivoira Group... Three varieties for the creation of a unique apple project that covers the entire calendar year.
2022
Kikoka and robotics
Rivoira signed with NKP and, in partnership with the University of Udine, an exclusive global master license for the project.
Two apple processing lines with Maf Roda robotic arms were added.
2024
New hub in Greece
A new facility was inaugurated in Greece... RS Holding covers 14,000 m² and offers a storage capacity of 13,000 tons.
2025
Corporate reorganization and new warehouse
Merger of Kiwi Uno into Rivoira and creation of a single, integrated hub.
A new 5,000 m² cold storage facility was inaugurated.
Today
Some key figures
Rivoira and Kiwi Uno exceed 100,000 tons of goods marketed each year. 95% of production is exported (65% overseas). The company covers 150,000 m², with more than 100 cold storage rooms and over 2,000 people involved in the supply chain.
1950
Birth of Rivoira & first cold storage facility
In the post-war period, Giovanni Rivoira founded the company together with his brothers Andrea and Michele. In Falicetto (Verzuolo), the company’s first cold storage facility was built (3,000 q).
1951
First exports
Exports of apples and peaches to France, Germany and Algeria begin.
1960s
Capacity expansion & controlled atmosphere
After inaugurating a new cold storage facility (11,000 q), the company became one of Italy’s leading exporters of overseas fruit, among the first to establish commercial relations with Saudi Arabia, Libya and the Middle East. In 1966, the first controlled-atmosphere storage cells were built.
1972–1975
Introduction of kiwi in Italy
Import of the first plants (1972) and planting of the first kiwi plantations in Italy (1975), thanks to growers linked to the company.
1982
Highly advanced facility
Inauguration of the first facility in Italy with automatic selection by weight and color (54 fruits/sec), based on aerospace-derived technology, with automated palletizing and packaging.
1985
Birth of Kiwi Uno S.p.A.
Facility with cold storage plant and a line dedicated exclusively to kiwi.
1990s
Third generation
The 1990s marked the entry into the company of Marco and Gualtiero Rivoira, the family’s third generation.
2006
Ambrosia
Ambrosia was launched on the market. Over the years, Rivoira would plant more than 400 hectares, license Val Venosta for another 250 hectares, and the Ambrosia club would become the third largest in Europe by volume.
2008
New offices & growth
The new headquarters in Via Pomarolo were opened to welcome a rapidly expanding team.
2013
New investments
Storage capacity exceeds 50,000 tons in controlled atmosphere. Kiwi Uno adds a new line for peaches, nectarines, plums and kiwi.
2016
First automated warehouse in Europe for fresh produce and creation of the PO
With an investment of 26 million euros, a unique warehouse in the European fruit and vegetable sector came into operation... The Rivoira PO was founded: 105 member companies and over 1,000 ha of cultivated land in Piedmont, particularly in the province of Cuneo.
2020
Kiwi Uno looks to the future
A new Kiwi Vision 3.0 Unitec grading line was installed... Two ripening rooms for yellow “ready to eat” kiwi were installed.
2021
Samboa – the three sisters
Samboa® is the first proprietary varietal project of the Rivoira Group... Three varieties for the creation of a unique project in the apple sector covering the entire calendar year.
2022
Kikoka and robotics
Rivoira signed with NKP and, in partnership with the University of Udine... Two apple processing lines with Maf Roda robotic arms were added.
2024
New hub in Greece
A new facility was inaugurated in Greece... RS Holding covers 14,000 m² and offers a storage capacity of 13,000 tons.
2025
Corporate reorganization and new warehouse
Merger of Kiwi Uno into Rivoira and creation of a single, integrated hub. A new 5,000 m² cold storage facility was inaugurated.
Today
Some key figures
Rivoira and Kiwi Uno exceed 100,000 tons of marketed goods every year. 95% of production is exported (65% overseas). The company extends over 150,000 m², with more than 100 cold storage rooms and more than 2,000 people involved in the supply chain.