Cozzini Bros. and Ambrosi Cutlery Ltd. form partnership

Des Plaines-based Cozzini Bros. Inc., a cutlery sharpening and exchange services company, announced a partnership with Ambrosi Cutlery Ltd, a cutlery and sharpening services company in the greater New York City metropolitan market.

The joint company will operate under the Cozzini Bros. name.

Ambrosi Cutlery Ltd., based in North Salem, New York, was started in 1930 by Giacomo Ambrosi in New York City. The company has been providing cutlery sharpening services to local businesses for four generations. Ambrosi is owned and operated by its third-generation President Robert Ambrosi, and his sons, Jason and Mark.

"Joining forces with Ambrosi Cutlery in the Northeast is a transformational event in the cutlery services industry and a significant milestone for Cozzini," said Ed Finnegan, CEO of Cozzini Bros. "Cozzini Bros. has been actively exploring partnership opportunities in the highly fragmented cutlery services market in the Northeast for the last several years. During this period, we identified Ambrosi Cutlery as a market leader given its strong record for growth and excellent customer service."

"Ambrosi Cutlery is thrilled to partner with Cozzini Bros.," noted Robert Ambrosi. "The combination of Ambrosi's old world quality and work ethic and Cozzini's new world technology and leadership integrity create a powerful new platform for the future of the knife service industry. ... My ancestors would be proud to see the progression of the Ambrosi Cutlery business from its humble origins."

Cozzini Bros Inc. is the largest commercial knife sharpening company in the country, serving independent restaurants, restaurant chains, grocery stores and other food service institutions. The company provides knife exchange, various ancillary services and kitchen supplies to over 45,000 customers nationwide. Established in 1905, Cozzini Bros. is headquartered in Des Plaines.