Gran Sasso
The story of Maglificio Gran Sasso begins in 1952 in the small village of Sant’Egidio alla Vibrata, located just to the south of the border between Marche and Abruzzo, thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of four brothers: Nello, Eraldo, Alceo and Francesco Di Stefano. The change from a family business to an industrial company takes place in the 70’s, when the success of their enterprise gains a more prestigious position on the market and a definitive achievement on both domestic and international markets. In 2002 they begin planning works for the new complex of 36,000 sqm., comprising of sections for the production, warehouse, administration, showroom and separate buildings for the outlet and canteen. The complex houses more than 400 employees and has a completely renewed set of knitting machines. Utmost care has been taken as regards to the quality of work spaces and their opening to the surrounding context. The complex is marked by a rational and minimal design idea by architect Guido Canali, master in already proved building types, turning them into elements of a coherent language of great civil dignity, that wholly reflects the spirit of the patrons. Architect Canali won the Triennial Milan Prize, the Gold Medal for Italian Architecture in 2009 with Mention of Honour. In addition to the plant at Sant’Egidio alla Vibrata, the Company has a factory in Roseto degli Abruzzi, which was built on an old furnace dedicated to the production of handmade bricks; the factory is specialized in weaving on cotton looms. The company also has an Industrial dyehouse and a Showroom in Via Montenapoleone in Milan. “Quality is always fashionable” is the inspiring motto of the new generation that combines tradition and innovation, ancient craftsmanship and modern production processes, made exclusively in Italy. The rich natural yarns used and the manual skill of all stages of manufacture make each Gran Sasso sweater unique and unmistakable.
