TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF ALBERTO BARBERIS CANONICO, CEO OF LANIFICIO VITALE BARBERIS CANONICO
With deep sorrow, Alberto Barberis Canonico announces the passing of Engineer and Order of Merit honoree Alberto Barberis Canonico. He was CEO of the holding company Lanificio Vitale Barberis Canonico SpA and Chairman of the Board of Vitale Barberis Canonico SpA, the family company founded in 1936 whose wool manufacturing activity dates back to 1663 and is today a global leader in textile production and the processing of fine wools.
A graduate in mechanical engineering, he joined the family business in the mid-1960s alongside his brother Luciano, serving as CEO from 1981 to 2012. In 2018, he was awarded the title of Cavaliere del Lavoro by the Italian President of Republic. Under his leadership, the company pursued a growth strategy focused on work reorganization and innovation in both processes and products.
With expertise and passion, he initiated the search for the finest wools by studying origin markets and traveling to Australia. In the early 1970s, he selected the best raw materials from all over the world and established a local office in Australia to foster relationships with breeders, which later led to the founding of “Pyramul Pastoral,” the company managing the family’s farms.
As early as the late 1960s, he designed and launched a broad automation of production processes, leading to the creation of new departments and warehouses and a significant increase in output. He was deeply committed to workers’ health and safety and environmental protection: he initiated one of the first studies on wastewater treatment plants and designed soundproof cabins installed in the weaving room to reduce noise impact.
His passing leaves a profound void not only in the company but also in the Biella textile district. He will be remembered for his integrity, authority, and professionalism, as well as for his great humanity and attention to people. His vision and his words will continue to inspire for years to come.
Dear MR. Editor,
As an Italian fashion industry member, I am saddened by the loss of one of my generation’s fabrics cornerstone innovator.
I am perplexed at the way you used the term “Engineer” in Mr. Vitale Barberis Canonico title.
The Italian language allows it’s users to add the various university-level degree appellations such as “Avv.” (short for Avvocato – Lawyer) or “Ing.” (short for Ingegnere – a College degree equivalent to Applied Sciences) but NEVER to be translated with Engineer.
I am afraid that you will have raised several eyebrows when your readers will ask themselves why a textile industry giant would be listed as “Engineer Vitale Barberis Canonico”.
Sometimes languages cannot be translated literally!
Best regards
Luigi Leonardi
Hi Luigi, We are so sorry for the mistake: we used the wording we were given. We agree with you that some words and phrases are beyond translation. We hope this error does not detract from the greatness of this remarkable man!
With apologies, the MR team