There are places that carry a soul.
Places born from vision, passion, and the courage to dream big.
Over two unforgettable days, we celebrated not just an opening — but the beginning of a new chapter in Middleby’s story.
The inauguration of the Middleby Centro di Innovazione marked a moment of pride, unity, and deep emotion shared by all who were part of it: the Colussi Ermes team led by President Giovanni Battista Colussi, together with his children Andrea and Chiara Colussi, CEOs; the Board of Directors of Middleby Corporation; local authorities; clients from around the world; exceptional suppliers; project and plant managers; friends.
Their presence brought warmth and meaning to the celebration, unveiling a place where innovation and inspiration meet — a place where the future of the food industry takes shape.
This milestone was made possible by the visionary leadership of the Board of Directors of Middleby Corporation, and, in particular, the foresight of CEO Timothy Fitzgerald with the support of Mark Salman, President of the Food Processing Group, who chose to create this iconic center right here in Casarsa della Delizia — a land of authenticity, ingenuity, and heart.
Under the passionate leadership of Giovanni Battista Colussi, together with Andrea Colussi, Chiara Colussi, and the entire Colussi Ermes team, that vision came to life — with the contribution of visionary architects, passionate creatives, brilliant engineers, devoted suppliers, and specialized technicians, all united by the same goal and the same heartbeat.
The Middleby Centro di Innovazione stands today as a living symbol of collaboration, creativity, and determination.
A monumental project — 7,500 square meters of pure innovation — that brings the Made in Friuli Venezia Giulia to the global stage of food tech.
The center encompasses:
• 2,000 square meters dedicated to the bakery sector, housing technologies and production lines for bread, baked goods, pastries, and confectionery;
• 2,000 square meters dedicated to the protein sector, with specialized plants for processing, treating and transforming meat for the food industry;
• 1,500 square meters dedicated to training, with equipped classrooms for courses, testing, and development;
• 1,500 square meters dedicated to foodservice, designed for product demonstrations, trials, and real-world applications.
These technologically advanced spaces are where we experiment, innovate, and shape the future of food processing.
We are excited to present the most extraordinary innovations in the industry in an exceptional location that will become a global hub: the “Temple” of Middleby Innovation.
“A living place, where customers from all over the world can experience something unique — admire the land, taste its flavors, and, above all, test, experiment, and develop new products with cutting-edge solutions.”
The center is dedicated to Giovanni Battista Colussi, whose creative ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit inspired its design, reflecting his passion for innovation and excellence.
He envisioned the structure as an unparalleled showcase for all Middleby companies and as a one-of-a-kind experience for the food processing and foodservice industry.
From the heartfelt speeches to the first steps inside this extraordinary place — filled with technology, research, inspiration, and life — every moment resonated with pride and gratitude.
And as the magical lights of Susans Castle, glowing in the vibrant colors of our great Middleby family, illuminated the night sky — together with the proudly projected Middleby logo — we were reminded of what truly drives us: the heart, the people, the passion, and the purpose behind every idea.
Because at Middleby, we don’t just innovate: we care, we create, and we build connections.
TOGETHER, AT THE HEART OF INNOVATION.
