The Italian tanning industry mourns the loss of one of its founding figures—an entrepreneur who helped shape an industry that became a global leader. At the age of 84, Bruno Mastrotto has passed away. A key figure in Veneto’s tanning district, he played a central role, from the mid-1950s onward, in the creation and growth of one of Italy’s most prominent leather groups: Gruppo Mastrotto.
Farewell to Bruno Mastrotto
Born in 1941, Bruno Mastrotto (in the archive photo, La Conceria), together with his brother Santo “and with the support of their father Arciso,” as stated on mastrotto.com, “founded a company destined to become a benchmark in the tanning industry. Driven by their passion for leather and their pursuit of excellence, the two founders laid the foundations for what has grown into one of the most important global players in the sector.”
Today, “in addition to its 11 sites in Italy, Gruppo Mastrotto’s production facilities are located in Brazil, Mexico, Tunisia, and Indonesia. These are complemented by two strategic hubs designed to best serve the North American and UK markets.” In 2024, the Vicenza-based group also acquired the Portuguese company Coindu (Componentes Para a Indústria Automóvel).
Social Commitment
Bruno Mastrotto was known not only for his entrepreneurial achievements but also for his deep social commitment and his dedication to his local community. In particular, he was recognized for his attention to and presence within the Vicenza and Veneto regions. Together with his wife Silvana, he promoted and supported a wide range of social and public health initiatives, many of them carried out through the creation of the Silvana and Bruno Mastrotto Foundation.
