Business people

Mikael Robertsovich, tell us about the stages of the company’s development..

In 1993, we established a company to supply food from abroad. The main group of products was the import of Italian pasta. Over time, competition has increased, and since 1996 the company has been actively developing a project of its own production. The opening of the factory was planned for 1998, but a default occurred, and many of our Western partners refused to cooperate. However, in 1999 we decided to bring this case to the end with our efforts, without foreigners, but having acquired their experience of production and skills. In 2001, on the basis of the Kurchatov bakery, the «Ameria Macaroni Factory» began to operate, where it produces products using modern technologies on the equipment of the Swiss company Buhler A.G., the world leader in the food technology market. We also acquired a license for the production of macaroni under the trademark «Federici», which was the main position in the import. The license agreement ensures the introduction of the latest technologies for the production of top quality pasta from solid wheat varieties and corresponds to the quality of products produced at the plant «Federici 1888 S.r.l.» in Italy. Our technologists have been trained by Western specialists. And today we produce in Russia absolutely identical Italian pasta.

What about competitors?

There are a lot of competitors. But we were the first in Russia to produce Italian pasta and received recognition. «Ameria» has brought to the domestic market a brand that is more than 120 years old! Since 1995, we have been distributing our products all over Russia, and, accordingly, we are well-known.

Probably, the paste did not immediately win the hearts of domestic gourmets, because it differs from the taste of ordinary pasta?

It is known that macaroni in Russia are the second most popular after potatoes. We have traditionally used them as a side dish, and pasta is quite an independent dish. Given these features, we are simultaneously producing macaroni from soft wheat varieties under the brand name «Ameria». «Ameria» offers for every taste a wide range of quality products, which, combined with fantasy and a simple recipe for cooking, will allow you to enjoy a dish, whether cooked in Italian “al dente” or traditional Russian pasta in Fleet. And our pasta «Federici», positioned as a premium class pasta, are sold at a very affordable price.

What are the main problems in the work?

The most bottleneck in our work is that we can not – harvest! If the country has a bad harvest, then the grain is of poor quality and the price will increase greatly.

Who are your business partners?

We cooperate with Russian flour mills. Hard varieties, for example, we buy in Orenburg, soft varieties – in the South of Russia.

Tell us about your plans for the future …

Of course, we want to increase production volumes, as today the existing equipment is loaded by 100%. We want to supply equipment for the production of special formats for pasta for lasagna, spirits, nests, cannelloni, etc. But while these formats are not very popular with our customers, and they are usually more expensive. Some competitors have already begun to implement them, this is pushing us.