Archive Photo, ©La Conceria
COTANCE expresses its deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues and would like to share this tribute;
“It is with deep sorrow that Gruppo Mastrotto announces the passing of its founder Bruno Mastrotto (Nogarole Vicentino, 20 June 1941 – 8 October 2025)
The courageous entrepreneur
A leading figure in the Vicenza tanning district and a key player in Italy's post-war industrial growth, Bruno Mastrotto combined entrepreneurial vision, social commitment and profound human values, leaving a lasting mark on his homeland and community.
The visionary entrepreneur
Originally from Alvese di Nogarole, Bruno started working at a very young age: at just fifteen, he was already employed in a tannery, where he quickly learned the trade. Together with his father Arciso and his brothers, he founded his first business in Via Cavour in Arzignano, in a large room measuring just fifteen square metres. During the day he worked as an employee, while at night he taught his brothers what he had learned, laying the foundations for the future family business.
In 1958, together with his father Arciso and his brothers, he founded Conceria Aurora, which over time evolved into the current Mastrotto Group, now one of the leading tanning companies internationally.
Gifted with an extraordinary ability to dream big and think with a vision of a global and international company, he led a growth that saw the Group establish itself in the Vicenza tanning district and then worldwide, while maintaining strong family values and roots in the local area.
In the years that followed, with the new generation, the company consolidated its presence in the fashion, furniture, automotive, nautical and aviation sectors, becoming a global benchmark for cowhide processing.
Today, it combines advanced industrial processes, creativity and sustainability, which have always been its objectives since its inception: Bruno's commercial spirit and market vision, supported by his brother Santo, has allowed the Group to go further, anticipating its international presence on a global level with production sites in Italy, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Tunisia and Portugal, serving customers in over 110 countries.
In the 2000s, he introduced a cutting-edge integrated management system to the company, becoming the first in the tanning industry to adopt it: a sign of his constant openness to innovation and digitalisation.
Alongside the tanning sector, in 1989 he founded Midac Batteries in Verona with his brother Santo, bringing their entrepreneurial vision to a completely different field and contributing to the creation of a successful industrial company in the battery sector.
He was President of the Tanning Section of Confindustria Vicenza from 1987 to 1991 and held board positions within the Tanning Section and regional groups, working to promote the district and encourage collaboration between local businesses during a period of significant growth in the sector.
In 2003, he promoted Confindustria Vicenza's “Borsa delle Idee” (Ideas Exchange), an initiative aimed at young people and innovation, born from his conviction that “ideas should be financed, not warehouses”. The project reflected his forward-thinking vision and desire to encourage creativity as a driver of development.
A man who always faced every challenge with vision, courage and humanity, he loved to repeat one of his favourite sayings: ‘Today is already the day after tomorrow.’ An effective summary of his way of looking ahead, anticipating the times and facing change without fear.
Social commitment and philanthropy
In addition to his entrepreneurial life, Bruno Mastrotto always devoted time and resources to solidarity and social commitment. A founding member and president for about twenty years of the Arzignano Movement for Patients' Rights, he was constantly committed to improving patient care and the quality of local health services.
Already in the late 1990s, he was ahead of his time in understanding the complexities of immigration: in 1998, together with his wife Silvana Marchesini, who was the founder, he supported the creation of the Karibuni Association, dedicated to the children of immigrant families.
In the Philippines, he supported numerous long-distance adoptions of children from the slums of Manila for many years through Father Giovanni Gentilin's Mission, offering them the opportunity to study and build a better future. Together with his brother, he then contributed to the construction of the “Talita Kumi” sanatorium for tuberculosis patients.
In 2001, John Paul II conferred on him the title of Knight Commander of the Order of St. Sylvester, one of the highest papal honours, for his constant commitment to social and missionary causes.
He also supported the City of Hope Foundation and contributed to the construction of the Alépé Hospital in Ivory Coast, alongside Sister Tiziana Maule.
In 2016, together with his wife and daughters, he established the Silvana and Bruno Mastrotto Foundation, which continues their commitment to the local area through educational and social projects such as the Parkinson Café and La Tribù del Sole, also supporting scientific research into Parkinson's disease at the University of Padua, led by Professor Angelo Antonini.
The man and his values
Bruno Mastrotto always remained deeply attached to his family, his homeland and the hills of his childhood. He was a curious, energetic and dynamic man, always looking ahead and pushing beyond known boundaries. He was also deeply attached to his family and proud of his three grandchildren, to whom he always showed great affection.
His strength often lay in his ability to ask the right questions, anticipating the times with a clear and pragmatic vision. He loved to say, “The most beautiful thing there is has yet to be invented.”