Since 1981, a simple idea born in a small-town bar has evolved into a model of excellence in the Lombardy vending sector. Civardi Vending originated from the intuition of Pier Luigi Civardi, who, between serving coffees and installing vending machines, began to imagine a different kind of service: close, reliable and human. Today, forty years on, the company serves around 4,000 users every day—including businesses, schools, institutions and families—without ever losing the neighbourhood-shop spirit that has been its strength. In a sector often dominated by numbers and industrial logistics, Civardi shows that the real difference lies in quality, customer care, sustainability and social responsibility: photovoltaic systems, electric vans, waste collection and recycling, tree planting with Treedom, and projects with Amref Health Africa. An example of how innovation and tradition can coexist in perfect balance.
Mattia Civardi, CEO of this forward-looking excellence, tells the story alongside his brother Lorenzo, carrying forward their father Pier Luigi’s legacy with a focus on the future and on sustainability.
by Roberta Imbimbo
Mr Civardi, let’s start from the beginning: when was Civardi Vending founded?
Our roots go back to 1981, when my father Pier Luigi ran a bar and began installing a few vending machines in offices and at local events. From there, step by step, we grew. Civardi s.a.s. was officially founded in 1986 by Cav. Pier Luigi Civardi. This year, in fact, we celebrate 40 years of history.
How large is the company today?
Around 4,000 users rely on our services daily, including businesses, schools, institutions and families. We operate in the provinces of Pavia, Alessandria, Vercelli and Milan. We have never wanted to expand excessively: we prefer to manage an “ideal” number of clients in order to prioritise quality over quantity.
Your father passed away in 2000. How has the company changed since then?
At the beginning, it was a very family-oriented business; today it remains a family company but with the structure of a large organisation. We have an advanced technological and logistical setup, yet we maintain a small-business approach: face-to-face relationships with customers are central. This is how we maximise customer satisfaction, and it is what sets us apart from those focused solely on large volumes.
How important is your connection to the local area?
It is a true competitive advantage. We operate within a radius of about 50 km precisely to guarantee 100% service: machines always stocked, rapid interventions in case of breakdowns, and a constant presence. We firmly believe that human relationships and proximity to the customer make the difference.
Let’s talk about quality: what does it mean to you?
It means starting from the product—such as coffee beans—and extending all the way to the service. Serving around 4,000 users is a great responsibility: we must guarantee safety, quality and a genuine moment of refreshment at a high standard. Our growth, from 1986 to today, has been driven above all by brand reputation and dedicated service.
In recent years you have also invested heavily in sustainability. How?
In many concrete ways, not just in words. We have a photovoltaic system that powers internal warehouse operations, we are introducing fully electric vans to replace diesel ones, and we use high-quality, market-leading, environmentally friendly machines. In addition, we have a partnership with a recycling company for the circular economy of plastic cups: we collect them from our clients and they are recycled 100%.
You have also joined international environmental and social projects, correct?
Yes, we partner with Treedom to plant 60 certified trees each year. Treedom is a major organisation that, since 2010, has planted over 4 million trees worldwide and is a certified B Corporation. We also take part in Stripe Climate, to which we donate 1% to support the decarbonisation of app-based services—a coalition of companies investing in carbon removal technologies. Since 2025, we have supported Amref to provide safe water, sanitation services and health and environmental education programmes in schools and villages in Kenya.
In your view, what is the key message for the vending sector?
That the future lies in quality and sustainability. Vending cannot be just about “numbers and volumes”: it must be about service, customer care and environmental responsibility. For Civardi Vending, innovation does not mean chasing numbers; it means doing better together, staying close to people and the local area, and transforming a simple vending machine into a moment of care, attention and environmental responsibility.
And what are Civardi Vending’s goals for the future?
To continue along the path of using increasingly sustainable products and to complete the upgrade of our machines with ever more advanced solutions. Without ever losing our identity: that of a structured company with the heart of a neighbourhood shop.
