Fabio Leonardi made the first tomato crusher in 1917. For over 80 years this practical, economical, safe and durable utensil has been distributed not just in Italy but all over the world and used not just to obtain tomato sauce but also for fruit and vegetable juices and purees.
The models now produced by Leonardi recall this long tradition united with the improvements developed during the years that made these machines more functional and durable, with the natural evolution of the design. In the Leonardi production there are also meat-grinders for small and medium quantities, sacker machines, kneading machines and other accessories all connectable to the motors made by Fabio Leonardi.
The manual meat grinders are made in partnership with Portugal manufacturer: Garhe - a company widely known to hold the same standards in manufacturing as Fabio Leonardi.
As the premier distributor of Fabio Leonardi products in the USA I felt it was important to visit the factory and stand toe to toe with those that carry the commitment of quality in a company so rich in it's tradition of quality. I did just that in February of 2007 I saw the different generations tracing back the 99-year history of the company. The passion and commitment to quality was impressive. It wasn't that huge of a factory, and probably looked a lot like it did for the last half century. It was a modest structure not far from the center of Bologna, Italy.
I personally consider Bologna to be the culinary capital of the world with all the influences of Tuscany and Italy centered in one point of heavenly bliss. The passionate affair with food in this region is probably why this company's products are world renown for quality and longevity. Originally this company was focused on the local growers in Tuscany, helping them bring their harvest to market and transform the succulent tomatoes of the region to what are now world famous culinary creations of that region.
From that passion for food grew a passion for quality that Fabio Leonardi has passed down through
subsequent generations and that passion extends to every aspect of the manufacturing process. Although
it was difficult to keep my eyes from glazing over when his grandson was talking about the perfect
temperature and cooling cycle of the castings, how each type of metal is painstaking chosen, and the
process of machining is so carefully monitored. You could tell that manufacturing quality was passion of
this mans soul. By the time he was talking about the perfect finish for each piece of all I could think
about was the terrace at the cafe we were to sip Chianti and look at the panoramic view of Bologna in
the valley below while enjoying our lunch. I had all the information I needed feeling assured that the
tradition of quality that made this brand world-renowned was still alive and well in the psyche of the
current management.