Pirelli is a renowned Italian company with a rich history dating back to 1872 when Giovanni Battista Pirelli founded the company in Milan to produce elastic rubber items. Over the years, Pirelli has evolved into a global brand known for its cutting-edge technology, high-end production excellence, and passion for innovation deeply rooted in its Italian heritage.
Origins and Development
In its early years, Pirelli focused on producing rubber items and later expanded into manufacturing tires for carriages and velocipedes. The company’s geographic expansion began in the early 1900s with the opening of plants in various countries like Spain, England, and Argentina. Pirelli’s commitment to racing also grew during this period, winning prestigious races like the Grand Prix of the Automobile Club of France in 1907.
Technological Advancements
Pirelli’s innovative spirit led to significant technological advancements in tire production. The introduction of the Pirelli Cinturato in 1952 revolutionized the tire design with its wrap-around radial structure. This tire was highly praised by racing legend Juan Manuel Fangio and became a benchmark for modern tire design.
Business Ventures and Partnerships
Throughout its history, Pirelli engaged in strategic business moves such as selling divisions to focus on core operations, acquiring shares in Telecom Italia, and establishing partnerships with companies like Cisco. The company’s involvement in motorsport competitions has not only showcased its technological excellence but also influenced the development of consumer products.
Focus on Consumer Tyres
Pirelli’s commitment to consumer tires is evident through its exclusive positioning in the Pure Consumer Tyre segment, focusing on High-Value products that prioritize safety, performance, and innovation. The company’s product portfolio includes tires for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles tailored to meet specific consumer needs.
Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility
Pirelli places a strong emphasis on sustainability, aligning its practices with global standards like the United Nations Global Compact and ISO 26000 guidelines. The company’s sustainability model emphasizes responsible management practices that drive economic, social, and environmental performance improvements.
In conclusion, Pirelli’s journey from a small rubber manufacturer to a global leader in tire production reflects a legacy of innovation, quality, and commitment to excellence that continues to define the brand today.
Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirelli
Pirelli & C. S.p.A. is an Italian multinational tyre manufacturer based in the city of Milan, Italy. The company, which has been listed on the Milan Stock Exchange since 1922, is the 6th-largest tyre manufacturer and is focused on the consumer production of tyres for cars, motorcycles and bicycles. It is present in Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, North America and the Post-Soviet states, operating commercially in over 160 countries. It has 19 manufacturing sites in 13 countries and a network of around 14,600 distributors and retailers. In 2015, China National Chemical Corp. Ltd. (ChemChina) took controlling interest of Pirelli; with the Chinese state-owned company agreeing to maintain the tyre company's ownership structure until 2023.
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 Headquarters in Milan, Italy | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| BIT: PIRC | |
| ISIN | IT0005278236 |
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 28 January 1872 Milan, Italy |
| Founder | Giovanni Battista Pirelli |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | |
| Products | Tyres for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles |
| Revenue | €6,615.7 million (2022) |
| €595.6 million (2022) | |
| €435.9 million (2022) | |
| Total assets | €13.897 billion (2022) |
| Total equity | €5.454 billion (2022) |
| Owners |
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Number of employees | 31,301 (2022) |
| Subsidiaries | Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. |
| Website | www |
| Footnotes / references | |
Pirelli has been sponsoring sport competitions since 1907 and is the exclusive tyre partner and supplier for the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series for 2008–2010, FIA Formula One World Championship for 2011–present and for the FIM World Superbike Championship. Pirelli's headquarters are located in Milan's Bicocca district.
Pirelli is now solely a tyre manufacturing company. In the past, it had been involved in fashion and operated in renewable energy and sustainable mobility.
On 4 October 2017, Pirelli returned to the Milan Stock Exchange after focusing its business on pure consumer products (tyres for car, motorcycles, and bicycles) and related services, and separating the business of industrial tyre.
Pirelli's eponymous calendar has been published since 1964, and has featured the contributions of many famous photographers over the years such as Helmut Newton, Steve McCurry, Peter Lindbergh, Richard Avedon, Bruce Weber, Herb Rits and Annie Leibovitz.
The company's US-based headquarters are located in Rome, Georgia.