It was 1962, at the height of the "Italian economic miracle." During that period of great transformation, a group of breeders and farmers from the Imola area decided to join together to create a new organization, capable of ensuring dignity in agricultural work and quality in food products. Thus was born CLAI, the Imola Agricultural Workers' Cooperative , with a clear mission: to combine artisanal knowledge with participatory management, where cooperative values would become the engine of growth.
Sixty years later, that dream is now a solid reality, representing a distinctive model in the European agri-food world. Three generations of women and men have taken up the baton, transforming CLAI into an international food company , without ever betraying its roots and original principles.
A different cooperative: cultivating values to produce goodness
From the beginning, CLAI has done more than just produce meat and cured meats. The cooperative has built a 100% Italian, transparent, and controlled supply chain , where every choice is guided by values that place people, local area, and quality at the center.
The cured meats sector, with a focus on salami, and fresh beef and pork were the company's initial pillars. Over the years, however, the company has broadened its horizons with strategic acquisitions such as:
Prosciuttificio Zuarina , symbol of the sweetness and refinement of Parma ham.
Faggiola Cooperative , incorporated in 2019, bearer of the Tuscan-Romagna dairy tradition.
At the heart of our cooperative model are people. It's not just a figure of speech: CLAI is made up of faces, stories, and hands that contribute to building value every day.
The cooperative has 280 members, including 135 breeders who directly supply their livestock.
They provide much of the meat we process: pigs born and raised in Italy, following shared and controlled criteria throughout the supply chain. Many members also work within the company. This bond between those who raise, those who work, and those who process is the silent force that allows us to guarantee quality, safety, and consistency with our values every day.
Key stages of sustainable growth
The founding years (1962–1980)
The first twenty years were dedicated to building the foundations: processing plants, factories, and a cooperative model capable of giving members a voice and space. In those years, a shared vision took shape: the worker members' growing desire to establish their own cooperative, which was immediately perceived as something more than a business. A collective project, rooted in the local community and carried forward with a sense of responsibility and belonging.
Expansion and certified quality (1980–2000)
With growing consumption and ever-increasing attention to food safety, CLAI embarked on a journey of profound innovation. It obtained its first quality certifications , invested in technologically advanced facilities, and simultaneously expanded its expertise with the hiring of qualified professionals. CLAI chose to demonstrate that tradition and innovation can coexist, creating safe, delicious products that are consistent with its values.
From the supply chain to the food company (2000–2020)
Entering new markets and strategic acquisitions marked CLAI's transformation into a modern food company . Attention to the environment and animal welfare became an integral part of corporate policies, anticipating the needs of more informed consumers.
The Present and the Future (2020–present)
Today, CLAI represents a model of sustainable and participatory enterprise , with certified factories (IFS Food, BRCGS, ISO 22005, and ISO 14001). Since the early 2000s, the cooperative has adopted the new Integrated Quality-Environment Policy , a concrete sign of its commitment to responsible development.
Putting people at the center: an intergenerational pact
CLAI's true strength lies in its community. It's not just about its members, but about families who have passed down values, crafts, and skills for generations. Three generations of farmers and workers have nurtured a supply chain built on passion, responsibility, and respect.
The connection with the territory: the "Macellerie del Contadino" and CLAI&Friends
CLAI has never been a company distant from its local community. Macellerie del Contadino is the most concrete example: local stores where quality and transparency meet consumers.
The cooperative also invests in sports, cultural, and solidarity projects. Among these is CLAI&FRIENDS , an initiative launched in 2023 that combines sports and education to instill the values of cooperation among young people.
The values that guide every choice
CLAI's success is based on six core values that have guided strategic and operational decisions for over sixty years:
- People: the cooperative community as the beating heart.
- Environment: respect and protection of natural resources.
- Territory: valorizing local roots and communities.
- Quality: both in terms of raw materials and processes.
- Ethics: transparency, accountability, and integrity.
- Development: continuous innovation without betraying the origins.
In an industry where trust is fundamental, CLAI has chosen the path of absolute rigor . Every month, hundreds of analyses are performed in accredited laboratories, guaranteeing safe products that comply with the strictest standards.
CLAI in the world: bringing Italian tradition to global tables
From Romagna to the world. Today, CLAI products are present in all Italian sales channels and distributed in numerous international markets. Each product carries the guarantee of a controlled supply chain and authentic values.
Global expansion has never weakened the bond with its origins, but rather has strengthened it: every export is an opportunity to tell the story of a cooperative, sustainable and quality Italy .
Looking to the future, the cooperative is ready to continue its journey with passion, responsibility and innovation .
