The Perugina is an Italian confectioner that was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. The company began with a limited product base, but soon turned to the creation of sweets and candies, eventually becoming a worldwide producer of chocolate bars. The company's history is marked with financial strife and shows the effects of historical events on candy production.
Founding
On Nov. 30, 1907, Perugina was established as a producer of sugared almonds in the central Italian town of Perugia. The initial investment in the company was 70,000 lire.
Expansion
In 1915, the main offices were transferred to Fontivegge, with supply and demand needs having outgrown the initial factory.
Financial Trouble
During the sugar taxation of the 1930s, Perugina implemented contests to boost lagging sales of their premium products. These contests included a car giveaway that would never be fulfilled after contests were banned by the Minister of Finance.
Overseas Market
In 1935, Perugina exported its products to America and sold them at the Bomboniera shop on Fifth Avenue in New York. Aside from sweets, the company also sold pastas and sauces in America.
Products
Because of financial troubles and the inability to expand the business, Perugina began producing chocolates and candy bars in 1954, a move that would lead to a need for new factories to meet the increase in production.
Globalization
During 1969, Perugina and Buitoni would become known as the Industrie Buitoni Perugina (IBP), a joint stock company. Nestle purchased IBP in 1988 for 1,600 million lire and added the confectioner to its global reach.
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