Montanari e Gruzza
Montanari & Gruzza, an ode to the king of cheeses.
Quality has always been the one and only benchmark. A DNA passed down from the founders through generations. They produce fresh cream for the industry and high-quality Italian butter, using only cream collected daily by their own vehicles from Parmigiano Reggiano dairies in the provinces of Parma and Reggio Emilia, with which the company has established long-standing relationships. Dedicated supply chains, developed together with farmers, are focused on enhancing native cattle breeds used for Parmigiano Reggiano production. The research and selection of biodiversity have led to the creation of unique cheeses. Among them, several Parmigiano Reggiano specialties stand out, made from the milk of Brown Swiss cows, Reggiana Red cows, and the Bianca Modenese, as well as the Mountain Product and the organic Parmigiano Reggiano, for which the company boasts a fully integrated supply chain located in the Parmesan mountains, where their farms and dairy are based. Montanari & Gruzza continues to grow, with over 80 million euros in revenue and 75 employees.
Recognizing the value of their region and its resources, the company has chosen to invest in animal welfare through projects developed in partnership with farmers and research institutions. These aim to promote innovative breeding and feeding models, such as the “noble” supply chain, which uses fresh forage and flaxseed rich in Omega-3. But the bond with the land starts from within the company itself—from its two founders. Arturo Montanari and Arnaldo Gruzza joined forces in the 1950s, and since then, cohesion has remained a crucial factor in the company’s survival and growth. A true extended family. Business and family, one and the same. Saturday and Sunday were no different from Monday and Tuesday—because the company was the heart of everyone’s life. The sound of forklifts and workers’ voices blended with daily family life.
In the 1970s, the “Montanari & Gruzza family” needed a bold shift to keep pace with the economic changes of the time. In his twenties, Leonida Montanari chose not to continue university but to pour all his energy and ambition into the company, despite the many sacrifices it required. He took the helm after the premature death of his father, Arturo. The facts themselves earned the young Montanari his reputation as a visionary. He was the first to see the potential of modern retail distribution and equipped the business with a vacuum-packing system for Parmigiano Reggiano. At the same time, he invested in improving logistics to ensure timely, reliable service for clients. In-house logistics—not outsourced—became a key point of difference over time, ensuring consistent service quality for Montanari & Gruzza.
The real turning point in the business model, however, came with another winning intuition: the creation of a widespread cream collection network across all Parmigiano Reggiano dairies in the region. The first to benefit were the dairies themselves, happy to sell off what was otherwise considered waste material—cream they couldn’t process due to lack of equipment. This solution created a strong bond between the company and local producers and allowed Montanari & Gruzza to invest in a diversified product range for both butter and Parmigiano Reggiano, including proprietary and unique supply chains like the organic line. Their business model is founded on trust—trust in collaborators and suppliers.
Over 230 consolidated raw material suppliers across Parma and Reggio Emilia, a strong presence across various sales channels, and an export share of 15% that grows year after year. Despite now operating as a medium-large enterprise in terms of workforce and revenue, members of both founding families remain directly involved, shaping the future of a company increasingly focused on sustainable supply chain practices. Meeting President Montanari, the man’s presence alone transcends the history and achievements of the company. Big hands, bright eyes, and a thoughtful way of weighing each word in conversation. At his side, Margherita looks on with admiration, not missing a blink. You can feel the deep sense of family. As powerful as the aromas rising from the 20,000 aging Parmigiano wheels stored in Gaida.
The President speaks about his “creature” with a kind of disarming modesty. He looks you straight in the eye. He says what made the difference with his competitors was “keeping his word.” “My suppliers are the heart of my success. From the first day I selected and chose them, I have owed them total respect. I’ve been shaking their hands for fifty years, and that trust shows in my relationship with clients.” Anecdotes and milestones are shared gently and humbly by the President over more than three delightful hours. But it’s at the end of the interview that everything becomes clear: his firm handshake and unwavering gaze tell the real story of how Montanari & Gruzza made its mark—through a blend of foresight and the constant seriousness of its captain and the two families whose name the company still proudly bears today.