CBIA BizCast: ‘Joy on a Fork’ (Part 2)

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This part two of the CBIA BizCast’s conversation with Nuovo Pasta founder and CEO Carl Zuanelli. In part one, Zuanelli shared his journey from a career in financial services to starting what has become a leading national producer of premium refrigerated pasta and sauce.

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Looking back over Nuovo Pasta‘s success, Carl Zuanelli said he wouldn’t be where he is without overcoming some major challenges. 

“Anybody who’s looking to have a big change in their life or to go out and pursue their dream, should understand that there are no big breakthroughs without big breakdowns,” he said.

One of those breakdowns for Zuanelli came with the 2008 financial crisis. 

At that time, 75% of the company’s business involved producing pasta for chefs and restaurants, with about 25% retail.

The White House even served their pasta several times. 

But during the economic downturn, people stopped going out to eat, and Zuanelli said it looked like the company was going to be wiped out.

Surviving, Adapting

“I was at probably the lowest low of my life,” he said. 

“And I had been at a couple of lows in my life before that, but this was about as low as you can get. This was subterranean low.

“I come to realize later, the strong that do survive are those that are able to adapt.”

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

Nuovo Pasta’s Carl Zuanelli

Zuanelli said he took a close look at the state of the industry.

With the struggling economy and the growing popularity of food television, more people were cooking at home. 

Nuovo shifted their focus to retail and consumer packaged goods, leading to what Zuanelli called meteoric growth since 2008.

“We immediately changed gears,” he said. “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” 

People First

Zuanelli said commitment to quality is a big part of the company’s success.

But he said Nuovo Pasta’s employees are just as important as the pasta.

“As the company continues to grow, and as we change the way that we grow, we can’t lose the aspect of the culture of the company and that the people are the most important,” Zuanelli said.

“It’s so important to get that perspective from your team, your company, the employees.”

Zuanelli

“One of the initiatives that we have, is a certification in a great place to work. We’re working towards that.”

Zuanelli said the company has monthly communication sessions with employees from different areas to get their feedback.

“It’s so important to get that perspective from your team, your company, the employees, so that you can continue to be a place that grows and be a great place to work,” he said. 

Leaning In

Zuanelli said that for both the company and his family, Connecticut is a great place to call home. 

“I think Connecticut is, in so many ways, a great place to do business,” he said. 

Zuanelli said organizations like CBIA and government agencies like the Department of Economic and Community Development have been helpful for businesses in the state.

“I think that there’s work to be done for manufacturers and attracting more manufacturers.”

Zuanelli

“Yeah, there’s work to be done,” he said. “And, you know, I’m leaning in on that, but I think they’ve been very positive in creating jobs.”

Zuanelli said he’s pushing for more incentives for businesses to open more factories, or invest in new equipment or technologies.

“I think that there’s work to be done for manufacturers and attracting more manufacturers, and how we can keep more manufacturers here in Connecticut,” he said. 

Immigrant Experience

Zuanelli also credited Connecticut’s workforce, calling it “an asset for any company.”

He said part of what makes the workforce so special is work ethic. 

“I think a lot of it is based on the old New England work ethic, but also the immigration that’s taken place and how open Connecticut has been,” he said.

Zuanelli said that growing up in a family of immigrants, he understands the immigrant experience. 

“If we can’t pay back, we’ve got to pay forward.”

Zuanelli

That passion for the immigrant community led him to join the board of the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants.

CIRI is a nonprofit organization that provides support and services to immigrants, refugees, and survivors of human trafficking.

“I don’t think we can pay back the sacrifices that our families have made in terms of their immigrant journey,” Zuanelli said. 

“So if we can’t pay back, we’ve got to pay forward, and that’s why I think it’s so important.”

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