Welcome


innovation and new product development, always keeping in mind your needs. You can read about many of those innovations in this issue. You will also see some examples of how


O


Let me welcome you to the ninth international edition of Aliworld


ver the past eighteen months, the Covid-19 pandemic has affected all of us, and I would like to extend our deepest sympathies from all of us at the Ali Group to those


of you who have suffered personal losses during the pandemic. You may have noticed that we did not


publish an international edition last year, and we’re very glad to be back with you now. It’s no understatement to say that the pandemic has radically changed the foodservice and hospitality business over the past eighteen months. Like so many of you, this unprecedented situation put great strains on our employees, but I’m immensely proud of the way they adapted, pulling together to keep our businesses strong and serve our clients during these difficult times. Tis edition of Aliworld reflects a few of the dramatic changes that have taken place in the industry during the past two years, not the least of which include an increased emphasis on takeout and delivery and online ordering. Our article on trends in the post-Covid foodservice environment (p18) goes into deeper detail on some of these changes. While the teams at many of our companies


were not allowed to have face-to-face contact with customers during the pandemic, you may be assured that they were not resting. Tey have used this time to focus on


foodservice operations are surviving — and even finding success — in these challenging times. For example, to illustrate how a heritage site can be updated, we’ll show you how an Irish horse-racing track received a stylish makeover (p30). You’ll see how another foodservice operation developed an app to help serve its clients during the pandemic (p46). And you can find out how a sophisticated hotel chain is combining classic Italian cuisine with a unique upscale atmosphere (p14). Since our last international issue, Ali Group has welcomed three more companies into our family: American Dish Service, makers of top-quality dishwashing equipment (p92); BGI, renowned for its continuous-churn gelato makers (p67); and Kold-Draft, manufacturer of the machines that produce the perfectly square ice cube favored by many bartenders and mixologists. As we begin to return to a normal schedule


of trade shows, conferences and other industry events, I look forward to reconnecting with many of you at HostMilano and at additional venues in 2022. Finally, I would like to close with some


personal news. Since the previous issue of Aliworld, we have lost two of our guiding lights at the Ali Group: my parents, Luciano and Giancarla Berti. My father founded his first company, Comenda, in 1963 and led Ali Group for the next 50 years, guiding the company to become an international force in the foodservice equipment industry. He never lost his love for the business but more importantly, he never lost his love for people. (A story documenting his life and contributions to the industry appears on p6.) My mother worked tirelessly at his side in the early years of the company to help grow the Ali Group into what it has become today. On behalf of all of us in the Berti family — and all of us at Ali Group — they will be deeply missed. Let me convey my sincerest hopes for a


prosperous, happy and healthy 2022. Enjoy this issue of Aliworld.


Filippo Berti


Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ali Group


Aliworld 3


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