The laying of the foundation stone (or rather, the first tree) of Fendi Factory dates back to 11 November 2020. On 12 October 2022, just under two years later, the brand inaugurated in Capannuccia di Bagno a Ripoli, near Florence, its “new pole of excellence”, developed “over an area of eight hectares” and which “occupies an area of 30,000 square metres that once housed the historic Fornace Brunelleschi”. The reference to the laying of the “first tree” (a turkey oak, planted by CEO Serge Brunschwig) is not accidental. Fendi Factory, in fact, proposes itself not only as a manufacturing hub that aims to raise the bar on the craftsmanship of its products. It wants to testify to “the maison’s constant commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility”.
The inauguration of Fendi Factory in Bagno a Ripoli
Between 350 and 400 employees are currently working, with the prospect of reaching 700 within four years, covering, at full capacity, 40% of the brand’s entire leather production. With these numbers, Fendi Factory can also claim to be LVMH‘s largest Italian manufacturing investment, amounting to 50 million euros. It is no coincidence that, alongside Brunschwig and Silvia Venturini Fendi, Antoine Arnault was there to inaugurate it, and he lost no opportunity to reiterate the strategic importance for the French giant of the incredible craftsmanship value of the Italian production of the brands it owns. An importance that from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 October will be in the spotlight of the fifth edition of LVMH’s Les Journées Particuliers. An event that, among many others, will also allow visitors to visit the new Fendi Factory.
Proud of our roots
“Italy is synonymous with tradition, history, beauty and, above all, excellence,” says Brunschwig. “This is why we took the opportunity to invest in the Made in Italy and to enhance the fundamental principles of craftsmanship, savoir-faire and the importance of the handmade. Competence and innovation are elements that support marketing and our corporate culture. At Fendi, we believe that enhancing and transmitting these values is fundamental for the next generations. We are very proud of our roots, of this new chapter in Bagno a Ripoli, as well as of offering our employees a sustainable working environment”.
Innovative, supergreen
The new factory, says a note, “will meet the strictest standards in terms of environmental sustainability and will be dedicated to creativity, development, innovation, training and production”. The project was created “with the aim of integrating factory and landscape in a perfect mix of spontaneous woods and agricultural scenery of the Tuscan countryside”. For example: “An olive grove of 700 trees runs through all the areas of the park, encouraging the production of up to 900 litres of oil per year by the factory itself”.
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