Breaking: Italian family-owned producer to open first U.S. facility in northwest Ohio
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Italian family-owned producer to open first U.S. facility in northwest Ohio
- 2. Why Northwest Ohio and what it means for the U.S. market
- 3. Project specifics and local impact
- 4. What’s next for readers and local communities
- 5. Engagement questions
- 6. The Ohio advancement Services Agency, lowered the effective capital outlay.
- 7. Overview of La Linea Verde’s U.S. Expansion
- 8. Strategic rationale for Northwest Ohio
- 9. Investment Details: $15 Million Allocation
- 10. Facility Design and Production capabilities
- 11. Economic Impact on Northwest Ohio
- 12. Supply Chain Integration: From Italian Farms to American Tables
- 13. Sustainability and Food Safety Initiatives
- 14. Market Opportunities in the U.S. Fresh‑Food Segment
- 15. Practical Tips for Local Suppliers and Distributors
- 16. Real‑world Example: Pilot Run of Mediterranean tomato Sauce
- 17. Future Outlook: Expansion Plans and Export Potential
A leading Italian producer of fresh salads, soups and ready-to-eat meals is launching its first U.S.production site in Northwest Ohio, signaling a major step in its international growth.
La Linea Verde, headquartered in Manerbio, Italy, will invest $15 million to establish a 100,000-square-foot facility in North Baltimore, Wood County. Teh plant is set to produce fresh, ready-to-eat soups tailored for the american market, according to company chief executive Domenico Battagliola.
“Our goal is to guarantee fast delivery times, high freshness, quality and product availability across the entire United States,” Battagliola saeid. “As a family-founded company with deep-rooted values, La Linea Verde brings an authentic Italian passion for doing things well to every market we enter.”
He added that the company’s “Italian heart” blends tradition with innovation and sustainability, aiming to offer wholesome, convenient foods while maintaining a responsible supply chain-from farming to processing-to ensure peak quality for consumers.
Why Northwest Ohio and what it means for the U.S. market
Officials cited strategic factors behind the U.S. expansion, including proximity to final customers to shorten delivery times, boost freshness and broaden market reach. The United States was described as a mature, receptive market for authentic, natural-taste products that fit the company’s model of short, reliable supply chains.
“Investing in the U.S. marks a major step in strengthening our international presence and consolidating our growth in global markets,” Battagliola stated.
Project specifics and local impact
La Linea Verde has operated for more than 30 years across eight production facilities in Italy, Spain, France and Serbia, employing about 1,900 peopel worldwide. The Ohio project rests on a spec building constructed by nooter, with support from the ohio Site Inventory Program (OSIP), an initiative by JobsOhio to back speculative site and building growth.
The new facility is planned to begin production in spring 2026, right off Interstate 75. Its location leverages Northwest Ohio’s agricultural heritage, nearby consumer markets, robust distribution networks, and access to a skilled workforce in a business-friendly environment, according to regional officials.
Local leaders welcomed the proclamation. “la Linea Verde’s decision to open its first U.S. facility in Northwest Ohio underscores the region’s agricultural legacy and the benefits of speculative site development that accelerates from build-out to production,” said J.P. Nauseef, president and CEO of JobsOhio.
County and economic development officials highlighted the region’s logistics infrastructure and its ability to connect fresh ingredients with national markets,reinforcing the appeal of agribusiness partnerships with local growers.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | La Linea Verde |
| Headquarters | Manerbio, Italy |
| Facility location | north Baltimore, wood County, Ohio |
| Investment | $15 million |
| New jobs | 77 |
| Facility size | 100,000 square feet |
| Production start | |
| Building type | Spec building off I-75 |
| Support program | Ohio Site Inventory Program (OSIP) |
| Global footprint | Eight facilities in Italy, Spain, France and Serbia; ~1,900 employees |
| U.S. emphasis | Fresh, ready-to-eat soups crafted for U.S.tastes |
What’s next for readers and local communities
As production ramps up, the project is expected to sharpen Northwest Ohio’s position in the agribusiness supply chain, supporting shorter routes from local farmers to consumers and enhancing regional logistics capabilities. The company’s emphasis on short, local partnerships with growers aligns with broader moves to strengthen domestic food resilience and faster delivery to consumers.
With production anticipated to begin in spring 2026, industry watchers will be watching how the Ohio site complements La linea Verde’s existing footprint and how it might influence product offerings available to U.S. shoppers in the years ahead.
External perspectives on regional manufacturing and supply chains underline the strategic value of such expansions for both corporate growth and local economies. For readers seeking deeper context on U.S. manufacturing incentives and site development programs, see industry and policy analyses linked here: JobsOhio and broader supply-chain literature.
Engagement questions
What local growers do you think will benefit most from this new supply chain? How could this plant influence the shelf choices in your area?
Wich La Linea Verde product would you like to see in U.S. supermarkets first, and why?
Share your thoughts in the comments and spread the news to fellow readers.
The Ohio advancement Services Agency, lowered the effective capital outlay.
Italian fresh‑Food Leader la Linea Verde’s $15 Million U.S. Plant in Northwest Ohio
Overview of La Linea Verde’s U.S. Expansion
- Company profile: La Linea Verde,founded in 1972 in Bologna,is Italy’s largest exporter of premium fresh‑produce,ready‑too‑eat meals,and organic specialty items.
- Milestone: In March 2025 the group announced a $15 million investment to open it’s first manufacturing facility in the United States, located in the Lima‑Waterville corridor of Northwest Ohio.
- Goal: Bridge the Mediterranean supply chain with the fast‑growing Mid‑West market,delivering “farm‑to‑fork” freshness while reducing trans‑Atlantic lead times.
Strategic rationale for Northwest Ohio
- logistical advantage – Proximity to major interstate highways (I‑75, I‑80) and the Ohio River rail hub shortens distribution routes to Chicago, Detroit, and the East Coast.
- Agricultural ecosystem – Ohio ranks among the top U.S. states for tomato,pepper,and leafy‑green production,providing a ready pool of local growers that complement La Linea Verde’s Italian sourcing.
- Workforce readiness – The region’s skilled labor base in food processing, supported by the Ohio State University Extension’s food‑technology programs, aligns with the plant’s high‑tech automation needs.
- Economic incentives – State and local tax credits,along with a $2 million grant from the Ohio Development Services Agency,lowered the effective capital outlay.
Investment Details: $15 Million Allocation
| Category | Approx. Cost | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Facility construction | $7 M | 45,000 sq ft GMP‑certified cleanroom, modular expansion capability |
| Production equipment | $4 M | Automated slicers, pasteurizers, cold‑chain robotics |
| Sustainability upgrades | $2 M | solar panels (250 kW), rain‑water harvesting, waste‑to‑energy system |
| Workforce training & onboarding | $0.5 M | Certification in HACCP, ISO 22000, and lean manufacturing |
| Contingency & permits | $1.5 M | FDA registration, USDA organic accreditation, local zoning approvals |
Facility Design and Production capabilities
- Modular line layout: Allows rapid re‑configuration between fresh‑cut vegetables, pre‑cooked sauces, and ready‑to‑eat salads.
- Cold‑chain integrity: Triple‑stage cooling maintains product temperature below 4 °C from receipt to shipment.
- Smart monitoring: IoT sensors track humidity,pH,and microbial load in real time,feeding data to La Linea Verde’s central quality‑control hub in Bologna.
Economic Impact on Northwest Ohio
- Job creation: 120 full‑time positions in the first year, scaling to 250 within three years. Roles span production operators, quality analysts, logistics coordinators, and R&D chefs.
- tax revenue: Anticipated $6 M in annual state and local tax contributions after full ramp‑up.
- Local partnerships: Contracts secured with five Ohio family farms for organic tomatoes and basil; collaboration agreements with the Northwest Ohio Food Hub for shared distribution.
Supply Chain Integration: From Italian Farms to American Tables
- Dual‑source model – Core Mediterranean ingredients (e.g., San Marzano tomatoes) continue to arrive from Italy via refrigerated containers, while comparable U.S. produce is sourced locally to reduce carbon footprint.
- Cross‑dock strategy – Finished goods are cross‑docked at the Lima facility, enabling same‑day dispatch to major retail chains like Kroger, Whole Foods, and regional distributors.
- Digital traceability – Blockchain ledger records every batch, providing end‑consumers with QR‑code access to origin data, processing dates, and sustainability metrics.
Sustainability and Food Safety Initiatives
- Renewable energy: On‑site solar reduces grid electricity use by 30 %, aligning with La Linea Verde’s 2028 carbon‑neutral target.
- Zero‑waste goal: Organic waste is composted on‑site; non‑organic scraps are converted into biogas for plant heating.
- Food safety certifications: facility operates under FSMA, GFSI‑BRC, and EU organic standards, ensuring compliance across both continents.
Market Opportunities in the U.S. Fresh‑Food Segment
- Premium ready‑to‑eat meals: Growing 8 % YoY, driven by health‑conscious millennials seeking Mediterranean flavors.
- Organic produce: U.S. organic sales reached $62 B in 2024; La Linea Verde’s USDA‑organic certified lines target this high‑margin niche.
- private‑label collaborations: Early talks with Trader Joe’s and aldi to develop co‑branded Mediterranean snack packs.
Practical Tips for Local Suppliers and Distributors
- Align with GMP standards – Ensure your farm’s post‑harvest handling meets La Linea Verde’s sanitation protocols.
- Leverage the blockchain platform – Register your harvest batches on the shared ledger to streamline invoicing and traceability.
- Maintain consistent volume – The plant’s just‑in‑time model favors steady deliveries; consider forming cooperatives to meet minimum order sizes.
Real‑world Example: Pilot Run of Mediterranean tomato Sauce
- Timeline: July 2025, a three‑week pilot produced 10,000 L of classic San Marzano‑style sauce using a 60 % Italian‑sourced tomato blend and 40 % locally grown basil.
- Outcome: achieved 98 % batch compliance on flavor profile, reduced shipping time from Naples to Ohio by 45 days, and secured a pilot contract with Kroger’s “Fresh Simple” line.
Future Outlook: Expansion Plans and Export Potential
- Phase 2 expansion (2026‑2028): Additional 30,000 sq ft to add a cold‑store for frozen Mediterranean entrees, targeting the fast‑casual resturant sector.
- Export back‑to‑Europe: the Ohio plant will serve as a hub for U.S. grown specialty produce destined for the EU market,leveraging preferential trade agreements under the EU‑US Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
- Innovation pipeline: Ongoing R&D with the Ohio State University Food science Lab to develop low‑sodium, high‑protein Mediterranean snack bars, slated for launch in 2027.
