AssoHoreca gives voice to Horeca professionals

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A new platform for the companies operating in the world of Ho.Re.Ca.

The aim with which the association was established is to give voice to all the realities that exist within the HoReCa sector, namely those that are not directly related to food. All these businesses have been severely damaged by the pandemic and unfortunately forgotten by the governmental institutions as they haven’t been assigned a specific ATECO code by ISTAT.

Assohoreca press release

Lecco (LC), 08/03/2021

It is with great pleasure that the founding members announce the official establishment of AssoHoReCa on 26/02/2021 in Lecco (LC).

AssoHoReCa originates from the necessity of giving a voice to the operators in the HoReCa field, whose core businesses are not directly related to pure catering services such as restaurants; yet, whose fate is closely depending on it.

So, who are we talking about? It is the supply chains that supply catering businesses, which go beyond food & beverage; i.e., the hotel supplies that the HoReCa operators rely on for purchasing the equipment with which they produce, store and serve food.

In addition to the distribution part, we can’t forget the upstream part of manufacturing which creates employment and an added value. Along with them also the distribution to the second levels where there is an array of small and medium-sized enterprises that have remained in the shadow during the current pandemic crisis. Thus, they have not even remotely benefited from measures dedicated to supporting the HoReCa sector.

he production and distribution sectors are the driving forces behind the HoReCa channel. They encompass over 1000 companies with a total turnover exceeding 4 billion Euros and employing over 15,000 people.

As highlighted by the different media platforms, the catering/tourism sector is one of the hardest hit worldwide by the pandemic. On the one hand the government institutions, in addition to the “extraordinary grants in assistance of all businesses have provided some support to the catering and hospitality businesses. While on the other hand, our sector has not received any kind of support. The reason behind that is that to date there is no specific ATECO code that identifies our companies. The vast majority of distribution companies fall under the code 46.69.99 “wholesale trade of other machinery and equipment for industry, commerce and navigation.” While the majority of manufacturing companies have the code 25.99.19 “manufacture of tableware, pots and pans, crockery, kitchen utensils and other non-electrical household accessories, metal items for bathroom furniture.

The above is an obvious distorted perception of the companies in the sector. It lacks an attributive identity specific to the HoReCa sector, which extremely penalizes it for not being recognized by ISTAT with a specific ATECO code. In turn, leaving a multitude of businesses in a limbo, damaged beyond repair by the pandemic.

The purpose of AssoHoReCa is to deal with the institutions and offer its members numerous services such as technical, legal and administrative support and a constant update on the Italian and European regulations regarding MOCAs (Food Contact Materials).

The silence of those who should have protected the economic activities most affected by the pandemic, despite the strong resilience of these operators, has given rise to a common need that has materialized with the birth of AssoHoReCa, whose founding members are listed below:

• Ambrogio Sanelli S.n.c.
• Baldassare Agnelli S.p.a.
• Beckers Italy S.r.l.
• Cifa Centro Italiano Forniture Alberghiere S.r.l.
• Horecatech S.r.l.
• Ilsa S.r.l.
• Leone S.r.l.

In addition to the companies that were present at the act of establishment, more than 60 other companies have already joined and dozens more are doing so. The moment has arrived, finally the companies that exist in the HoReCa sector get to have a voice.

AssoHoReCa’s Chairman, Mr. Luigi Fasoli the CEO of Horecatech, and the councillors from the founding companies will in fact have as their mission the focus on the crucial areas that call for attention in the sector that they represent.

All aimed at supporting the employment and development of our pride and joy, the tourism sector, in which the HoReCa and enogastronomy sectors operate.

According to the estimates, the GDP generated by the tourism sector in Italy amounts to 14%, a very significant figure indeed.

Good luck then to AssoHoReCa!