For a company that has been strengthening and passing down the unique "know-how" of its specialists for decades, there couldn't have been a more fitting claim. It's made even more authentic by the "Romagna-infused" voice of actor Paolo Cevoli, initiating a collaboration built on values and smiles.
On January 16 and 17, the private label event returns to Bologna, representing 15% of CLAI's cured meat revenue. Marketing Director Delfini: "Even in this area, we are holding firm to uncompromising quality, partnering only with those who share our value-driven approach."
The stand will feature a splendid selection of the most iconic and delicious products, along with some new additions, starting with the collaboration with Molino Naldoni.
Imola, January 2024 – CLAI's exhibition year begins with its participation in Marca, the traditional event dedicated to private labels, held at BolognaFiere on January 16 and 17. For the Imola agri-food Cooperative, private label currently accounts for 15% of CLAI's total cured meat revenue and shows an 11% increase compared to last year.
"We believe we can be a reliable partner for large-scale distribution when it comes to private label," emphasizes Gianfranco Delfini, CLAI Marketing Director. "This is also because there are an increasingly limited number of companies, like ours, that choose to stick to core issues such as 100% Italian meat, supply chain management, long aging periods, and the expertise and professionalism of our operators... This systematic pursuit of quality has thus become an additional distinguishing factor. We are open to shared growth paths only with partners who have this same vision. Care, competence, professionalism, experience, and safety are truly important words for us, and for this reason, we constantly invest in people and structures."
"CLAI MAKES THE SALAMI," AS PAOLO CEVOLI SAYS
The most evident result of this commitment can be found in the unique products that arrive on tables across Italy every day. After all, "CLAI makes the salami" is also said by Paolo Cevoli, the popular comedian, a perfect testimonial to best describe the quality, expertise, and values of the Romagna Cooperative, which has made production care, passion for work, and "smiles" as a symbol of how to interpret life and human relationships for better individual fulfillment, the cornerstones of its market offering.
MANY CLAI SPECIALTIES ON DISPLAY AT MARCA
In Bologna, there will be numerous culinary excellences on display. CLAI once again presents a wide selection that responds to the demands dictated by market trends.
It starts with the most popular specialties like the classic aged sausage Passita di Romagna, a unique thin salami, produced following an ancient recipe with the best lean meats from pigs born and raised in Italy. This year, its sales have shown a 25% increase in revenue. Then there are the Sbuccia e Mangia, convenient and practical to enjoy at any time of day, and the traditional Contadino. The list of regional products is also long, including Ventricina, Spianata Romana, Sicilianella, and Soppressa which, despite the "geographic gap," CLAI manages to interpret in terms of quality thanks to the expertise of its specialists and the connection that has been developed over time with the territory of origin.
The demand for "free from" products, meaning more natural ones, is met by Imola 1962, a salami without preservatives and with a very short ingredient list. This product required over two years of research, and CLAI fully identifies with it. Another cured meat created for this specific area, but outside the perimeter of salamis, is the Guanciale. Also in this case, it is a product without any preservatives, and it very well represents the "spirit" of this Cooperative: it originates from tradition, and its meat – from the CLAI supply chain, from pigs born and raised in Italy – is processed with few ingredients, expertise, and a slow and gentle aging of at least twelve weeks, which gives the product a unique flavor and intense aroma.
For those who prefer wellness and lightness, CLAI offers the Bella Festa Light salami, which has 50% less fat than a traditional Milano salami. The particular aging process allows for a reduction in the fat percentage, reaching a maximum of 15%, ensuring a sweet and balanced taste. A unique combination of taste and lightness.
NEW PRODUCTS FOR SELF-SERVICE
New products are also available in the self-service category: from Sfizioso to the evergreen Golosetto, including a reinterpretation of curved sausages and a preview of the new Passita packaging, a real novelty for the year that will be offered on the market in the coming months.
The Sfizioso, 270 grams of 100% Italian meat, is a salami with an appealing taste and an ideal size for any time of day. The Golosetto, weighing 100 grams, is a small salami that has always been among the most appreciated in Clai's assortment. Produced with 100% Italian meat, ideal for snacks or aperitifs, it is packaged in ATP. Sweet and delicate, it is now also offered in a spicy version.
IL MAGNIFICO DI ROMAGNA, 40 KG OF FLAVOR
CLAI's strong propensity to listen to its customers has also led to the creation of bespoke salamis that can represent an additional opportunity to support customers' activities within their stores. In recent weeks, for example, CLAI partnered with Salumeria Paciotti in Rome, offering the Magnifico di Romagna, a ceremonial salami weighing 40 kilograms and measuring one and a half meters. The convivial in-store tasting event generated such enthusiasm (with long queues of people eager to participate) that a repeat is already planned for next Easter. "These 'tailor-made' forms of collaboration can only arise from a strong desire to listen to customer feedback," says Delfini, "the ability to connect with them, and finally, the expertise needed to achieve the best result."
CLAI BRAND AMBASSADORS GENERATE VALUE FOR CUSTOMERS
The role of Brand Ambassadors also lays the groundwork for creating this fundamental connection with various local businesses. "They are colleagues who work in our Butcher Shops," explains Delfini, "another unique aspect of our company. They are specialized counter staff, and also young men and women who 'live' the cooperative every day, with a talent for communication and the desire to share their work experience, the products, and the values of the cooperative they are part of. They don't give 'lessons' learned from others, but rather talk about people, stories, and values they know intimately. Therefore, they can go 'beyond' the product characteristics, demonstrating a genuine passion that always leaves a mark. That's why they are particularly effective and appreciated by customers when we propose them to present a product, facilitating its introduction into their store or boosting its sell-out."
WITH MOLINO NALDONI FOR A VALUABLE PARTNERSHIP AND A QUALITY OFFERING
CLAI has always valued the opportunity to create valuable collaborations in the name of quality. A good example is the one signed with Molino Naldoni, which, after previous "approaches" in 2023 materialized in events such as Sigep and Anuga, will help enhance the activity proposed at the CLAI stand. Molino Naldoni is a special entrepreneurial reality from Faenza, founded in 1705 and today capable of grinding almost 450 tons of soft wheat per day, selected and certified to produce excellent flours. "We are very happy about this collaboration between Molino Naldoni and CLAI," explains Alberto Naldoni, CEO of Molino Naldoni. "Trade fairs like Marca provide a valuable opportunity to bring together two Romagna excellences. Together with CLAI, we share experience, high quality, and passion." This collaboration in the name of Romagna excellence and its ability to create valuable synergies will continue throughout 2024, also in view of some events that will take place across the Atlantic in the spring. Specifically for Marca, the CLAI-Molino Naldoni axis will create special moments that will culminate in a particular occasion: January 17 celebrates "World Pizza Day," and at the stand, delicious versions of this iconic dish will be created, enriched by the quality cured meats of the Romagna Cooperative.
2024 SEES THE LAUNCH OF THE SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
An interesting new development at CLAI also concerns its sustainability journey (which in Imola always encompasses both environmental and human aspects). A clear idea of how CLAI interprets its role in this field will now be provided by a document rich in data and information aimed at maximum transparency. The first Sustainability Report is on its way and will detail the Cooperative's initiatives.
For example, from an environmental perspective, the launch of the reforestation project in Sasso Morelli, which involved the historic Villa (where CLAI's headquarters are located) and the adjoining garden, spanning 62,000 square meters where 3,140 native trees, plants, and shrubs of high environmental value have been planted. A large green area that will provide new oxygen, well-being, and opportunities for education, sport, and culture for the entire Imola territory.
From a solidarity perspective, the collaboration with Banco Alimentare (Food Bank), which in five years has allowed the donation of over 1.5 million meals to people in real need.
"Marca is another opportunity to talk about the ideas and initiatives we have in mind for the future that will help us continue on our path of quality," concludes the Marketing Director. "Those who visit us in Bologna will be able to get a precise idea of the quality of our products, the professionalism and experience of our operators, how much we truly care about sustainability, the care with which we look at our entirely Italian supply chain, and the attention we place on listening to our Trade Customers and consumers."
CLAI at Marca by BolognaFiere can be found in Hall 26, Stand B44-C45
