LAPA: Story of an Italian Supplier in Switzerland
In the heart of Switzerland, a few kilometers from Zurich, there is a business reality that has rewritten the rules of the Italian food market abroad. LAPA (Latticini e Prodotti Alimentari) is not simply a supplier: it is the bridge between Italian gastronomic excellence and Swiss restaurateurs seeking authenticity, quality and impeccable service.
Today LAPA serves over 500 restaurants, pizzerias and hotels throughout Switzerland, manages a catalog of over 3,000 certified Italian products, and guarantees deliveries in 24-48 hours without minimum order. But behind these impressive numbers lies a story of passion, sacrifice and entrepreneurial vision worth telling.
In this article, we trace LAPA's extraordinary journey: from humble origins in Italy to becoming the reference point for anyone in Switzerland looking for Italian DOP, IGP and absolute excellence products.
The Origins: An Italian Dream in Swiss Land
LAPA's story begins in the early 2000s, when the founders, originally from Northern Italy with roots in Campania and Puglia, decide to move to Switzerland. The idea stems from a personal need: finding authentic Italian products in Switzerland was virtually impossible.
"We were looking for fiordilatte to make a Neapolitan pizza worthy of the name. We wanted real guanciale for an authentic carbonara. But in Switzerland we only found industrial surrogates or products at prohibitive prices," says Marco Russo, co-founder of LAPA. "So we thought: if we have this problem, there will also be hundreds of Italian restaurateurs in Switzerland who have it."
From Need to Business Opportunity
In 2010, after months of studying the Swiss market, LAPA is officially born as a small import company. The first steps are modest:
- A second-hand refrigerated van
- Direct relationships with 5 Italian producers (dairies in Campania, charcuteries in Emilia-Romagna)
- A 100 sqm warehouse in Embrach, outside Zurich
- An initial clientele of just 15 Italian restaurants in the Zurich region
- Total family management: orders, logistics, deliveries, all in-house
The philosophy from the beginning is clear: no intermediaries, direct relationship with producers, fair prices, fast deliveries. What we today call "short supply chain" was already in LAPA's DNA when the term wasn't yet fashionable.
2010-2015: Organic Growth and Word of Mouth
The first five years are crucial. LAPA grows slowly but solidly, based on a fundamental element: word of mouth among restaurateurs. In a sector where quality is everything, LAPA's reputation begins to spread rapidly.
Success Factors in the Early Years
| Year | Active Customers | Products in Catalog | Milestone Reached |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 15 | 120 | Official launch |
| 2012 | 45 | 350 | First warehouse expanded to 300 sqm |
| 2014 | 120 | 800 | Partnership with 25 DOP/IGP producers |
| 2015 | 200 | 1,200 | Complete German-speaking Switzerland coverage |
"The key was consistency," explains Giuseppe Esposito, quality manager. "We promised from day one: fresh products, fast deliveries, transparent prices. And we kept that promise every single day, even when it meant losing margin or working 16 hours a day."
The First Major Customer: A Turning Point
In 2013 comes the breakthrough: a chain of 8 Neapolitan pizzerias in Zurich decides to rely entirely on LAPA for all fresh cheeses and cold cuts. It's the first major contract, but above all it's proof that LAPA can scale while maintaining quality.
To manage this customer, LAPA must evolve rapidly:
- Implementation of the first digital order management system
- Hiring of the first 3 employees (previously only family)
- Agreement with professional refrigerated carriers
- HACCP and ISO certifications for cold chain management
2016-2020: Expansion and Digitalization
By the mid-2010s, LAPA is now a structured company. But the founders have an ambitious vision: become the reference supplier for ALL of Switzerland, not just the Zurich region.
Opening to the Romand and Ticino Market
In 2016, LAPA inaugurates a satellite logistics hub in Lausanne to serve French-speaking Switzerland, followed in 2018 by one in Lugano for Ticino. This strategic move allows to:
- Reduce delivery times to 24h even in French and Italian-speaking Switzerland
- Offer always fresh products thanks to regional warehouses
- Adapt the offer to local linguistic and cultural specificities
- Reach luxury hotels and restaurants previously inaccessible
"Expanding to Romandie was a challenge," admits Russo. "The French-speaking market has different expectations, very high service standards, aggressive competition. But Italian quality speaks for itself: in six months we had 50 new customers in Geneva and Lausanne."
The Digital Revolution: The LAPA Platform is Born
In 2018 comes the innovation that will forever change LAPA's way of working: the e-commerce platform dedicated to professionals. No more orders by phone or email, but a complete digital system with:
- Online catalog with over 3,000 products, technical sheets, allergens, certifications
- 24/7 orders from computer, tablet or smartphone with dedicated app
- Purchase history and personalized suggestions based on AI
- Real-time tracking of deliveries
- Invoice management and automated tax documents
- Dynamic prices and personalized promotions for each customer
The platform is an immediate success: in the first year, 70% of orders go digital, and average processing time is reduced from 45 minutes to 8 minutes.
2020-2023: The COVID Challenge and Resilience
When COVID-19 hits in March 2020, the restaurant industry comes to a complete halt. For a supplier like LAPA, whose 95% of customers are restaurants, it's a moment of existential crisis.
The Crisis Response: Agility and Innovation
But LAPA reacts with speed and creativity:
- B2C service for individuals: In 2 weeks, LAPA opens sales to Swiss private consumers, allowing anyone to order quality Italian products at home. In 3 months, 2,000 families become customers.
- Home pizzeria kits: Complete boxes with flour, yeast, San Marzano, fiordilatte to make Neapolitan pizza at home. Over 5,000 kits sold.
- Support for restaurateurs: Payment deferrals, free advice for take-away and delivery, supply of packaging at cost price.
- Collaboration with food delivery: Partnerships with Uber Eats and Just Eat to help restaurant customers digitize quickly.
"We didn't lay off anyone during COVID," Russo emphasizes with pride. "On the contrary, we hired 5 people to manage the new B2C channel. We believed in our restaurateurs, we knew they would come back. And so they did."
The Post-COVID Rebound
When restaurants reopen in 2021, LAPA is stronger than before:
- The B2C channel continues to generate stable revenue (15% of total)
- Restaurants gradually return, many with renewed menus and more focus on quality
- New openings of Italian restaurants in Switzerland increase by 30% between 2021 and 2023
- LAPA acquires 40% of these new establishments as customers
Today: LAPA in 2024-2025
Today, 15 years after its founding, LAPA is a consolidated and constantly evolving reality.
LAPA's Numbers Today
- 500+ restaurant customers throughout Switzerland
- 3,000+ products always available in catalog
- 150+ Italian producer partners certified DOP, IGP, BIO
- 25 employees between headquarters and regional hubs
- 15,000+ orders processed every month
- 99.2% delivery punctuality (2024 data)
- 4.8/5 average rating from customer reviews
- Zero minimum order - unique policy in Switzerland
- 24-48h delivery guaranteed throughout Switzerland
Certifications and Partnerships
LAPA today boasts:
- HACCP certification for food safety
- ISO 9001 certification for quality management
- Official partnerships with Italian DOP/IGP Consortia (Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, etc.)
- Member of Federalimentare Switzerland
- Official partner Vera Pizza Napoletana for Switzerland
The Values That Guide LAPA
What has allowed LAPA to go from a small family business to a market leader? The answer lies in the founding values, never betrayed in 15 years.
1. Italian Authenticity
"We only sell products we would put on our own table," is LAPA's mantra. Every product is tested, every producer is personally visited. Zero compromises on quality.
2. Total Transparency
Clear prices, certified origin, complete information on allergens and nutritional values. The LAPA customer always knows what they're buying and how much they're paying.
3. Excellent Customer Service
Multilingual support (Italian, German, French, English), responses within 2 hours, proactive problem solving. "The customer is not king, they're family," says the LAPA team.
4. Continuous Innovation
From the digital platform to AI for personalized suggestions, LAPA constantly invests in technology to improve the customer experience.
5. Sustainability
Eco-friendly packaging, transport optimization, partnerships with BIO producers, waste reduction program. LAPA thinks about the future.
LAPA vs Competition: What Differentiates Us
The Swiss market for Italian food products is competitive. What makes LAPA special?
| Feature | LAPA | Traditional Wholesalers |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Order | Zero - orders from 1€ | Typically 200-500 CHF |
| Delivery | 24-48h all Switzerland | 5-7 days, large orders only |
| Digital Catalog | Yes, 3000+ products online | PDF or paper catalog |
| Customer Service | Multilingual, 8-20 every day | Office hours only, 1-2 languages |
| Relationship with Producers | Direct, annual visit | Through intermediaries |
| Personalization | AI, suggestions, dynamic prices | Fixed price list for all |
| Certifications | 100% certified origin products | Variable |
The Future: LAPA Vision 2025-2030
LAPA never stops. Here are the projects for the coming years:
Geographic Expansion
- Opening hubs in Austria and Southern Germany (2025)
- Exploration of Eastern France market (2026)
- Partnerships with suppliers in Liechtenstein and Slovenia (2027)
Product Innovation
- LAPA BIO certified line (300+ organic products by 2025)
- Gluten-free and allergen-free line (2025)
- Ready-to-cook products for restaurants (pizza bases, ready sauces, etc.) (2026)
Technology and AI
- AI Assistant for restaurateurs: menu suggestions, food cost calculation, order optimization
- Blockchain for total traceability from farm to restaurant
- Online training platform for restaurateurs (courses, webinars, recipes)
Sustainability 2030
- Goal: Carbon Neutral by 2030
- 100% compostable packaging by 2027
- Electric vehicle fleet for urban deliveries by 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When was LAPA founded?
LAPA was officially founded in 2010 by an Italian family who had moved to Switzerland. The idea arose from the founders' personal need to find authentic Italian products in Switzerland, a need they transformed into a business opportunity.
Where is LAPA located?
LAPA's main headquarters is located in Embrach, outside Zurich. In addition to the headquarters, LAPA has satellite logistics hubs in Lausanne (for French-speaking Switzerland) and Lugano (for Ticino), allowing rapid deliveries throughout Switzerland.
How many products does LAPA offer?
LAPA offers over 3,000 certified Italian products in its catalog, all available online on the digital platform. The range spans from fresh DOP cheeses to IGP cold cuts, through artisanal pasta, preserves, wines and much more.
Does LAPA deliver only to restaurants or also to individuals?
LAPA was born as a B2B supplier for restaurant professionals (restaurants, pizzerias, hotels, catering). However, since 2020 (during COVID) it has also opened a B2C channel for individuals, which today represents about 15% of total business.
What is the minimum order with LAPA?
LAPA has a revolutionary policy for the sector: zero minimum order. You can order even a single product and receive it in 24-48h. This flexibility is particularly appreciated by small restaurants and new openings.
How does LAPA guarantee product freshness?
LAPA has direct relationships with over 150 Italian producers, personally visited every year. Fresh products (cheeses, cold cuts, fresh pasta) arrive 2-3 times a week from Italy with certified refrigerated transport. Each batch is checked on arrival and stored in temperature-controlled cold rooms. Rotation is very fast thanks to the high volume of orders.
How much does delivery cost?
Delivery costs vary according to zone and order value, but LAPA offers free delivery for orders over 200 CHF in most urban areas. Exact details are visible on the platform during checkout.
Does LAPA sell only DOP and IGP products?
No, LAPA offers a complete range: certified DOP/IGP products (about 40% of the catalog), artisanal excellence products without certification, organic products, and a selection of quality industrial products for specific needs. Total transparency allows the customer to choose consciously.
Conclusion: More Than a Supplier, a Success Partner
LAPA's story is the story of an Italian dream realized in Switzerland. From a small family business with a van and 15 customers, to market leader with 500+ restaurants served, 3,000+ products and deliveries throughout Switzerland.
But more than the numbers, what makes LAPA special is the human approach. Every restaurateur is not a customer number, but a partner with whom to build a path to success. Every product is not a commodity, but a piece of Italy, tradition, excellence.
If you're an Italian restaurateur in Switzerland, or thinking of opening an establishment, or simply want to bring Italian authenticity to your menu, LAPA is the partner you were looking for.
Contact us today to find out how we can help make your establishment even more special. With LAPA, Italy is always at hand - or rather, 24-48 hours away.
LAPA: Italian Supplier in Switzerland Since 2010. Zero Minimum Order. 24-48h Delivery. 3000+ Products. 500+ Happy Restaurants.