Di Leo Joins the Association of Italian Historical Trademarks

Listed in the Register of Historical Trademarks of National Interest on June 3, 2026, Di Leo is one of the oldest companies in the Italian food industry, upholding over 360 years of tradition in the art of baking and serving as a benchmark in the production of high-quality cookies and baked goods.

The company’s origins date back to 1663, when a notarial deed attested to the work of brothers Giuseppe, Giacomo, and Vincenzo Di Leo as master bakers in Altamura. Since then, for over three centuries, the Di Leo family has passed down the art of baking from generation to generation, keeping alive a legacy of expertise deeply rooted in the Alta Murgia region.

The company’s modern history began in 1926, when Francesco Di Leo became the owner of the historic bakery at the Altamura Cathedral. A few years later, in 1935, his son Pietro expanded production by introducing the first artisanal cookies, initially made for village festivals and later distributed throughout the province of Bari thanks to the construction of a modern production facility in 1948.

Di Leo Pietro S.n.c. was founded in the 1960s by brothers Domenico and Vitantonio Di Leo, who began the process of industrializing the company. In the 1990s, the relocation of the plant to the Jesce industrial area in Matera marked a new phase of growth, enabling the expansion of large-scale production and the consolidation of the brand nationwide.

Over the years, Di Leo has successfully evolved while remaining true to its identity, combining tradition and innovation. The company was among the first in Italy to eliminate palm oil from its recipes, introducing the first cookie made with corn oil as early as 1990, and has developed a production model based on sustainable supply chains, carefully selected ingredients, and rigorous quality and food safety standards.

At the same time, Di Leo has invested in strengthening its brand identity, highlighting its history through modern communication and an increasingly direct dialogue with consumers. This approach has enabled the company to strengthen its relationship with its long-standing customer base while, at the same time, reaching new generations who are increasingly focused on quality, transparency, and sustainability.

Today, Di Leo is one of Italy’s leading producers of cookies and baked goods, serving as an ambassador worldwide for the Italian confectionery tradition and the excellence of “Made in Italy.” Building on a legacy forged over more than three centuries of business, the company continues to invest in innovation, sustainability, and the celebration of its heritage.

The designation as a Historical Trademark of National Interest attests to the value of an entrepreneurial journey rooted in continuity, quality, and the ability to innovate, while always maintaining a strong connection to the local area and to the Italian tradition of baking.

By joining the Association of Italian Historical Trademarks, Di Leo helps strengthen the wealth of expertise, tradition, and manufacturing culture embodied by these Historical Trademarks, which are authentic symbols of Italian agri-food excellence.

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