A new industrial facility, a long-term strategy to internalise a significant share of production, and greater direct control over manufacturing. These are the reasons behind Balenciaga’s decision to open The Plant, its new leather goods factory in Cerreto Guidi (Florence), marking the start of a new chapter in the maison’s industrial history. CEO Gianfranco Gianangeli told Corriere della Sera about the French house’s latest moves, aimed at combining the wealth of local savoir-faire with a new production model.
Balenciaga opens The Plant
As Gianangeli points out, The Plant is not merely a factory, but a symbol of Balenciaga’s determination to strengthen its presence in leather goods through more integrated production. Nor is the choice of Cerreto Guidi accidental. “One hundred per cent of our leather goods are already produced in Tuscany, with suppliers of the highest quality. We have a very strong product development and quality control hub in Scandicci, but we felt the need to integrate part of the production”, he explains. How? By refurbishing an existing factory rather than building a new one. A cultural as well as an industrial gesture — a way of breathing new life into the area.
The objective
At the heart of the project is a clear goal: “to progressively internalise a significant part of production”. The site has been designed to ensure wellbeing and sustainability, with bright spaces, open areas and a large column-free open-plan floor dedicated to assembly. It currently employs 176 people, a figure set to double over the next two years. Growth, however, as Gianangeli notes, happens “at the speed of hands”, requiring time, training and integration.
Passing on know-how
At the core of the project lies a commitment to passing on savoir-faire. The Plant houses an in-house school and a dedicated programme, the Master Bag Maker, which supports new hires for several months before they enter production. The aim is to create a balance between master artisans and young talent — essential to sustaining the continuous innovation that defines the maison.
Internalising part of production also means greater responsiveness: shorter lead times, more targeted launches, less waste and direct control over quality, especially when experimenting with new shapes and materials. According to Gianangeli, this model aligns perfectly with the creative vision of Pierpaolo Piccioli, which is more focused on couture-level detail. Leather goods, already one of the brand’s strongest-performing categories, thus become the ground on which to build a more stable and enduring offering. The first step in an ambitious journey: an investment in people, craftsmanship and the ability to innovate without losing identity.
Photo: Kering and Balenciaga
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