In 1877 Pietro Barilla opened a bakery in Parma, and in 1910 his children increased production, creating the first factory with a continual oven. Later the founder's grandson Pietro joined the business . The post-War revival was an opportunity for restyling the company image and it became a limited company in 1970. It was bought by American multinational W.R. Grace and Company who also then bought Voiello. In 1979 Pietro Barilla repurchased the majority shares. Today the group owns 30 production sites (14 in Italy and 16 abroad), including nine mills which it runs directly, controls Italian and foreign brands Academia Barilla, Filiz, Harry's, Misko, Vesta e Jemina, Mulino Bianco, Pavesi, Wasa. The company has grown over time in the main categories (pasta, sauces and baked goods) and every year launches successful new products: gluten-free pasta, wholemeal brioches and new sauces are just a few examples. In 2015 it invested heavily in the Ames plants in the USA to increase availability of gluten-free pasta.
