Earlier this month, illy’s North America Executive Leadership Team (ELT) convened in Chicago to celebrate an extraordinary milestone – that by delivering record sales and gaining strong market share growth and despite the dual headwinds of green coffee price increases and rising pressures on costs and resources, they have, over the last 4 years been able to drive extraordinary growth of Revenue and EBITDA .
This remarkable achievement validates the strategic vision of illy together with the ability of the entire North American team to perform at a high level and successfully execute the plan.
But this meeting wasn’t solely about reflection; it was to provide a platform for fresh thinking and strategic realignment to ensure ongoing transformational growth in the years ahead.

Key Focus Areas of the Offsite
Aligning Investments and Strategy for 2025
The evolving market landscape demands both resilience and innovation. Discussions centered on prioritizing investments that foster scalability, such as digital transformation initiatives, enhanced customer experiences, and targeted marketing strategies that maximize ROI. With a focus on talent development and operational improvements, illy aims to establish a foundation for sustained growth while maintaining agility in adapting to market demands.
Breaking Down Silos Across Teams
While collaboration thrives within specific functions such as e-Commerce, HO-RE-CA and modern trade, the broader team faces challenges in full collaboration across functions & regions. The offsite emphasized building a culture of open idea exchange between departments, from operations to marketing and service teams to further deepen the “One Team” Approach.

Accelerating Ways of Working
By fostering meaningful conversations that bridge global and local perspectives and challenging group think, the team is leveraging strengths to address local market challenges and nuances while advancing global goals. The ability to balance these perspectives is vital to illy’s growth strategy.
Strengthening Global and Local Synergies
Enhancing collaboration between global and local teams was a top priority. Strengthening these relationships through more in-person and more integrated practices is expected to empower teams to overcome industry challenges, fostering resilience in the face of a changing business environment.
The Desired Outcomes
The offsite was designed not only to address current challenges but also to set a roadmap for sustainable progress. Key outcomes included:
- Strategic Analysis and Vision. Rigorous analysis and collaboration helped identify critical growth areas, balancing immediate results with long-term sustainability.
- Focused Growth Priorities: The team outlined 1-2 critical areas for investment that align with illy’s strategic goals, maximizing growth potential without requiring significant new resources.
- Allyship and Collaboration: Promoting a « ONE Team » culture where functions align with shared goals fosters mutual support and allyship across regions and teams.
- Accountability and Ownership: Encouraging leaders to take ownership of both successes and challenges fosters a cohesive and accountable environment.

Looking Ahead
By focusing on these strategic areas, the Executive Leadership Team is poised to craft a strategic plan that not only meet today’s demands but also position illy for long-term regional and global success. With a renewed focus on integration, investment, and innovation, illy continues to build on its legacy while navigating the complexities of the modern market.
