Alberto Bormioli is the owner and CEO of the Italian glassmaker Bormioli Luigi, a company specialized in luxury glass bottles, based in Parma. In an exclusive interview, he confirmed to Jean-Yves Bourgeois, Beauty Packaging’s European correspondent, that following the acquisition, almost a year ago, to Bormioli Rocco, of three factories (two in Italy and one in Spain), specialized in the production of table glassware, that the aim was to take advantage of these additional production capacities to develop more significantly in the niche of beauty products. Alberto Bormioli, who, at 72 has lost nothing of his outspokenness and who remains one of the last great figures in this trade, gives us his vision of the company and stresses the current and future challenges facing the glassmaking profession.

The success story of Bormioli Luigi could almost be summarized in two dates and two figures: In 1999 the company achieved € 81m, in sales and in 2018 the figure should be around € 460m all sectors included, with Perfumery reaching the € 180m mark! This increase gives an idea of the background work achieved by the Italian glassmaker. This remarkable performance is due in large part to the “perfumery boost” of the early 2000s and the trend for high-end glass bottles. But it is also due, of course, to the Group’s steady pace of investment and clever acquisition strategy in the tableware sector. Not to mention what has often enabled Bormioli Luigi to stand apart in terms of prices, that is to say, a fierce determination to never lower its guard despite, sometimes, very aggressive competition from other market players. “I am not in favor of saturating our production lines at all costs,” insists Alberto Bormioli, “because it would inevitably lead to a downward pricing and quality spiral.” The right “production tool” for the “right market:” A true obsession for this outspoken, visionary and forward-looking man, a native of Parma.

Vincenzo Di Giuseppantonio has been general manager since March 4, 2004. Appointed at the time, in spite of the fact he was not one of the family members, to rationalize the organization and to better coordinate activities, he fulfilled his mission beyond probably all expectations.

Alberto Bormioli said of him at the time: “We actually chose each other.”

After taking office, Vincenzo Di Giuseppantonio completely reorganized the company in Parma. In 2007, Bormioli Luigi acquired one of the factories of the other leading Italian glassmaker, Bormioli Rocco. A purchase, that would be followed 10 years later in December 2017 by the latest to date with three factories, also owned by the Bormioli Rocco Group, dedicated to the production of glassware thus giving the Group an additional and most timely capacity of around 500 tons/day of glass in order to strongly increase its footprint in the niche of Perfumery-Cosmetics.

It takes time!

Today, just as passionate and fascinating, Alberto Bormioli, who considers himself “poor” in the face of the huge task challenging him and his collaborators, insists on the human dimension—part of his responsibilities as the head of the leading Italian glassmaking company. “Indeed, I have helped more than double the turnover of the company in recent years. But what is important is obviously not finance,” he insists, “but the people and the spirit of freedom guiding us. It’s a privilege and a delight for me to be able to work every day in this fascinating glassmaking sector. What matters most is to always have the desire to progress and to help people progress. This spirit of freedom must guide us every day.”

For the man at the helm of Bormioli Luigi, this latest acquisition will be fundamental to continue staying at the top in the coming three years in all areas of the Beauty sector. “But it takes time!” he says. “You don’t modify an industrial tool by simply waving a magic wand. We are fortunate to be part of the same cultural glassmaking community. I strongly believe in the cultural homogeneity of this trade.”

Innovation ...., always!

“In Parma, we have always claimed making the world’s finest glass, and innovation is part of the glassmaker’s DNA,” says Alberto Bormioli. Every year an innovation or a real technical progress is presented. “Inside” is one of our latest developments: This technique enables us to decorate the inside of a glass bottle. Developed more recently, “Ecojars” is a concept of ultra-light glass jars. Finally, “Prisma,” a new coating technique, will give glass bottles or jars iridescent looks or functional properties through the application of a series of extremely thin layers of metal salts to create a scintillating effect. Layers can also be applied using different types of materials depending on the desired function. “Prisma” is an eco-responsible innovation which does not require any solvent for its application and does not contain any heavy metals.

Energy... a constant challenge!

The history of the Group is outstanding but challenges are never far. “Energy costs have doubled in two years in Europe,” explains Alberto Bormioli. “You can easily imagine the impact this has on the very existence of our industry. Time has come for brand owners to realize the huge pressure we are facing and which is not about to stop!” Especially as it represents a huge investment for a glassmaker. The Group has, for example, invested heavily to automate sorting lines and improve finishing performances. The renovation of our furnace # 5 in Parma is planned for next year.