SITA: From 3 family cows to becoming the Belgian leader in Italian gastronomy
Ten years after leaving his native region of Calabria, Carmelo Sita turned his back on mining to start producing Italian cheeses in Belgium. With the purchase of three cows, he established a thriving family business that has grown into a leading company in its sector over the course of four generations. Today, SITA is the Belgian leader in Italian products.
“SITA is above all a family adventure. We are now in the 3rd to 4th generations, with 6 of our children working for the company. IMBC has worked with the family throughout our growth,” explains Bruno Sita, CEO of the Sita Group. “Much more than a strategic partner, they challenged, channeled, and advised us in our vision. Today, our ambition is clear: to become the ambassador for Italian gastronomy in Benelux and Northern France.”
Founded in 1958, SITA specializes in importing and distributing Italian products in Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and France. Based in Courcelles, the company supplies to the catering and retail sectors from an impressive catalog with over 4,000 items in stock, and an additional 16,000 items available upon request. SITA has remained true to its family roots, while adopting a participative management approach with its 130 employees working in its stores, logistics centers, and at its head office.
A Family Success Story
SITA’s success is rooted in its family spirit. In 1976, Carmelo’s son Benito took over the company and initiated a strategic development. He transformed the cheese dairy into a wholesale business, adding Italian charcuterie to respond to growing demand.
In 2000, the next generation, Carmelo, Bruno, Sergio, and Pasquale, decided to take the next step by diversifying the group’s activities. Faced with these ambitions, they turned to IMBC to obtain the financing they needed and strengthen their working capital. IMBC was on hand to support SITA at every key stage of its expansion, from the opening of a cash & carry outlet to the creation of the Val Fayt hotel, the inauguration of a new 6,000-square-meter distribution center, the setting up of the SITAcademy and, more recently, with IMBC.FiVE, the strategic takeover of their competitor, Ets Zaccaria.
“Over the course of our 20-year collaboration, SITA has grown hand in hand with IMBC. From the very beginning, IMBC has believed in us and provided invaluable support that has reassured our financial partners. IMBC has remained by our side at every stage of our journey, even in the most difficult moments,” says Bruno Sita.
“IMBC’s commitment and willingness to take risks have been a driving force behind our ambition for both our company and our region. IMBC is much more than a financial partner; it provides tailored support and genuinely recognizes the efforts of entrepreneurs.”
SITA’s success is rooted in three key principles: family, tradition, and boldness, all of which are grounded in a vision firmly focused on the future.
