2023 Private Label Hall of Fame: Guido Tremolini, G.S. Gelato & Desserts
16 leaders from the world of private brands were recently honored as the newest inductees to the Private Label Hall of Fame.
During a ceremony held during the Private Label Manufacturers Association’s (PLMA) Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla., members of the Class of 2023 shared stories of the challenges each has overcome to succeed in a highly competitive industry.
Created in 2006 to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the global private brand industry, this year’s event featured updated categories that each included two retail and two supplier honorees. The categories are Next Gen Private Label Leader, Private Brand Innovator, Private Brand Champion and Lifetime Achievement.
“We proudly celebrate the outstanding achievements of these proven leaders and innovators,” said Peggy Davies, president of PLMA. “Their hard work and dedication are instrumental to the success of the store brands business.”
“The 16 honorees represent the best of the best from across the world of private label and showcase the depth of talent the industry has to offer,” said Greg Sleter, executive editor and associate publisher of Store Brands. “This august group of retailers and suppliers have had a major impact on the private label business and will continue to do so in the years ahead.”
This special section features profiles of each of the new Hall of Famers.
Guido Tremolini
President, co-owner
G.S. Gelato & Desserts
Private Brand Innovator
Guido Tremolini’s journey to gelato success in the United States has the familiar tones of European immigrants that traveled to the “new world” at the turn of the 20th century.
With his wife Simona by his side, Tremolini came to the U.S. nearly 30 years ago with a clear goal in mind. To bring authentic gelato to what would become his adopted homeland. But there were challenges.
First, they did not speak English. Second, the equipment they imported to the U.S. to produce G.S. Gelato’s frozen treats was not authorized for use in the country. But those mountainous challenges did not deter them. They spent nights taking English classes and 18 months working to receive approval from the Department of Agriculture and the Food & Drug Administration for the wholesale production of gelato and sorbet using their authentic Italian equipment
Guido's efforts led to a successful business and also earned him 2023 Private Label Hall of Fame honors in the Private Brand Innovator category. Today, Tremolini and his team at G.S. Gelato & Desserts are well known in the private brand industry. They have built a reputation for creating successful programs for their retail customers, and many of the nation’s leading grocery chains have entrusted G.S. Gelato with their private label frozen dessert programs.
His reputation for being an innovator is seen in many aspects of his business. This includes formulating flavors with coconut milk, almond milk, cashew milk and oat milk, which previously had not been used in frozen desserts. Additionally, the company offers peanut milk-based frozen desserts as well as an assortment of no sugar added, keto-friendly flavors, and a combination of nondairy/no sugar added/keto-friendly products.
While staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies, Tremolini is also able to conceptualize new flavor combinations that have never been created before, as well as meet or exceed the quality of national brand benchmarks. When compared to national brands, many consumers are surprised by the quality and taste of these products available under their favorite private label brand, thus increasing consumer loyalty and benefiting everyone involved.