The story behind the healthy, gluten-free and plant-based foods company, Andriani, which has permanently established itself in London, ON, celebrating the North America facility first anniversary
With more than 40 years of expertise in the milling sector, the history of Andriani S.p.A. Benefit Corporation, a leading Italian innovator in the production of healthy, gluten-free and plant-based foods, is the result of an entrepreneurial evolution rooted in a strong industrial culture and a vision capable of anticipating changes in the food industry. Owned by the brothers Michele and Francesco, the company was built on recognizing the potential of naturally gluten-free raw materials at a time when the market was still underdeveloped and largely focused on specific dietary needs.
The expansion project began several years earlier but took shape between 2020 and 2021 during an initial phase of exploration of the North American market, with a primary focus on the United States. The Andriani S.p.A. Benefit Corporation, headquartered in Gravina in Puglia, was working on a collaboration project with the Canadian Western University. The initiative focused on identifying value-added opportunities for by-products generated through the production process, whether as fertilizer, energy sources, or other applications. The partnership eventually led to an invitation to explore opportunities in Canada, specifically in London, where the Western is settled. Ontario's position as one of the world's leading producers of legumes became a key factor in Andriani's decision-making process and production model.
The years 2021 and 2022 were dedicated to defining the project's initial industrial and technological direction while building relationships with institutions, universities, and local stakeholders.
Innovation Works
The construction of Andriani Ltd.'s first North American facility began in the spring of 2024 in southeast London. The project involved more than 150 suppliers and hundreds of professionals, with over 200 people working on-site simultaneously. The total investment amounted to CAD $55 million for a fully gluten-free and allergen-free facility covering approximately 61,225 square-foot.
Building a manufacturing plant takes time, and during this period, the Andriani team needed a place to network and continue developing its Canadian strategy. The London Economic Development Corporation introduced the team to Pillar Nonprofit Network's Innovation Works.
“The other spaces we visited felt ‘colourless’ and ‘uninspiring’”, explained Carlo, failing to reflect the image the company wanted to present to customers, suppliers, and future employees. At Innovation Works, however, they found a welcoming environment, a young yet highly professional team, and a space that reflected the dynamic, growing organization they aspired to be.
Andriani initially operated from a shared workspace before moving into a dedicated office for storing samples and materials. As the company grew, it later expanded its footprint within the facility. The meeting rooms became the setting for interviews with the company's first Canadian hires and early discussions with suppliers. "It was like our laboratory for all the preliminary work before opening our facility," Carlo recalls.
For a company entering the Canadian market for the first time, Innovation Works became more than just office space; it served as a guide and connection point within the local business community. Renata Amorim, who is closely involved in Andriani's community engagement initiatives, explains that sharing the space with other organizations helped the team better understand London's culture and further reinforce its decision to invest in Canada. The company partnered with a fellow Innovation Works tenant specializing in marketing. "They became our eyes on the ground," Renata explains, helping the team navigate the Canadian market and better understand how to connect with local audiences.
Andriani is a benefit corporation, meaning it evaluates its impact on communities, society, the environment, and people alongside its economic performance. Carlo sees "a close alignment in terms of values" with Pillar, which helps Andriani remain connected to the community and better understand "what we can do today to stay consistent with our commitment to creating a positive impact."
The team is already planning initiatives for 2027, further expanding connections among people, businesses, and organizations around a shared vision of the future. That vision is built on positive energy, shared responsibility, and the understanding that meaningful change can only be achieved through collective commitment.
Learn more about Andriani at www.andrianispa.com, and the social media at @felicia_northamerica
