Nearing its 50th anniversary, this company, based in Varese, continues to innovate in the accessories sector with a cutting-edge production facility that prioritizes technology and sustainability.
Nearing its 50th anniversary, this company, based in Varese, continues to innovate in the accessories sector with a cutting-edge production facility that prioritizes technology and sustainability.
Nestled in the lush valley connecting Varese to Switzerland, in a breathtaking mountain scenery, lies a historic manufacturing company that has been dedicated to producing high-quality eyelets for nearly half a century. Ambrosetti is a leading name in the production of eyelets for clothing, footwear and accessories. Founded in 1977, the company has always been distinguished by the craftsmanship of its products and meticulous attention to detail.
Today, Ambrosetti is a lean and technologically advanced company led by Davide Ambrosetti, son of the eponymous founder. He has inherited not only a passion for well-executed work but also a love for the tradition and culture of the territory. Partner Marco Mazzoleni oversees the production process, which is carried out entirely on-site, making it completely “Made in Italy.” Ambrosetti produces eyelets in a variety of materials, including brass, steel, aluminum and stainless steel, in a range of shapes and sizes to meet the needs of even the most demanding customers. The manufacturing process seamlessly blends artisanal tradition with cutting-edge technology. All production is carried out in-house, utilizing state-of-the-art machinery and techniques while maintaining the hand-crafted quality that defines the company. Beyond its commitment to quality products, Ambrosetti also distinguishes itself through its commitment to environmental sustainability. Ambrosetti actively prioritizes environmental sustainability by carefully selecting materials with a low environmental impact. Production waste is fully recycled and reintroduced into the production cycle, minimizing waste. The company also utilizes energy-efficient machinery powered by renewable sources, further reducing its environmental footprint. Davide Ambrosetti and Marco Mazzoleni, both second-generation leaders in the company, embody the passion for craftsmanship and environmental responsibility that defines Ambrosetti. This artisan business exemplifies Italian excellence in eyelet manufacturing, demonstrating how a dedication to quality and sustainability can go hand-in-hand. A visit to their recently built factory provided our editorial staff with invaluable insights into the company’s operations, offering a deeper understanding that extends beyond mere financial figures.
“This is our warehouse, where we store some of our finished products,” Davide Ambrosetti explains. “Over the years, the market has changed significantly. Demand has shifted towards smaller, customized orders with immediate delivery requirements, which has led to a reduction in the quantity of finished goods we keep in stock. Initially, we offered a wide range of standard products available through our catalog, and the warehouse was crucial for ensuring quick delivery times. However, our focus has evolved towards producing bespoke eyelets tailored to individual customer specifications, with personalized markings, engravings and finishes. This shift has added complexity to our production process, as we now offer a vast array of shapes, sizes, finishes, and materials, all while maintaining our core focus on eyelet manufacturing.”
So, is it no longer advantageous for you to maintain a raw materials warehouse today?
“We serve two distinct market segments. The first one is the industrial sector, which is more traditional and less dynamic, allowing us to efficiently manage a rotating warehouse for our long-standing clients. The second one is the fashion industry, including leather goods and apparel. This sector is characterized by seasonal collections, which adds complexity to warehouse management. While eyelet production may seem like a minor technical detail, it’s actually a crucial element for many fashion accessories. The fashion world is currently experiencing a period of contraction, which will likely lead to a reassessment of established paradigms. However, it remains a driving force in the global economy, with a total turnover exceeding 100 billion euros last year. Now, let’s move to the eyelet packaging area, where our state-of-the-art machinery operates continuously,” Davide Ambrosetti guides us. “Our packaging line features innovative machines; for instance, we use an integrated optical system with three cameras to count the pieces, rather than relying on weight. This ensures exceptional accuracy and eliminates any discrepancies. Furthermore, each bag has a barcode that provides access to comprehensive product traceability data, including the specific article, materials used, production batch and metal content, which is meticulously tracked. This enables us to trace the entire product journey, right back to the manufacturer of the raw brass strip. We are also actively working on reducing our carbon footprint. Last year, we achieved ISO 14001 environmental certification for both our commercial and production operations, demonstrating our commitment to sustainability.”
What is your annual production volume?
“We produce approximately 150 million eyelets per year, primarily for the high-end fashion market and specialized niche sectors. Our competitive advantage lies in the service we provide, as product quality is now considered a given characteristic. We must stay ahead of market demands, which for us are driven by the requirements of brands and ultimately, the needs of their consumers. All our production processes are managed with a focus on minimizing environmental impact. Beyond meeting market demands, we believe in acting responsibly for the benefit of future generations.”
Let’s rewind a bit: how did Ambrosetti srl come about?
“The company was founded in the early 1970s to provide services for leather goods and luggage manufacturers in the Varese area, which at that time was a hub of small artisan workshops and mid-sized companies. Over time, our parents acquired the manufacturing arm of the business, allowing us to evolve from a purely commercial enterprise to one that includes both commercial and manufacturing activities. Soon after, we began exploring new markets beyond the original industrial eyelet sector, leveraging our knowledge of leather goods and footwear to expand into eyelet production for those industries. This led to the emergence of a new market: eyelets specifically designed for the fashion, apparel and leather goods sectors. By combining our production expertise with our commercial acumen, we were able to grow the company and delve into new markets within the fashion world. Initially, our eyelets were not intended for the fashion industry; they were considered standard commercial products for industrial sectors like transportation and interior design. However, we gradually expanded into other sectors, offering customized eyelets to our clients, differentiating ourselves from standard products through unique shapes, presentations and materials. This has allowed us to explore new horizons and pursue new markets. The path we have taken has already led to exciting opportunities for growth and development. We were truly pioneers.”
How has Industry 4.0 revolutionized your production, and what competitive advantages has it brought to the company?
“We decided to implement Industry 4.0 technologies to optimize our metal polishing process. In the past, we relied on traditional tumbling machines, but we chose to invest in advanced technologies to increase efficiency and introduce new management software. We also took advantage of the tax benefits associated with Industry 4.0 to modernize and digitize the company, which has been instrumental in our growth. We have achieved significant improvements in management thanks to the systematic collection and analysis of data, which has become essential knowledge for the company. This wealth of knowledge is intangible and therefore difficult to protect, but through Industry 4.0 and the necessary software, we have been able to capture and preserve this information systematically and accurately. It’s crucial to maintain this knowledge base independently of individual employees, as relying solely on personal know-how can be risky and unsustainable. However, it is equally important that our employees possess in-depth knowledge, as they are the source of ideas and solutions. While machines and software can assist, the work is fundamentally linked to the skills and expertise of our people. They are responsible for applying and developing this knowledge.”
Your commitment to minimizing waste is evident in your use of raw materials, especially considering the high value of the metals you work with. This approach clearly aligns with your sustainability goals…
“Sustainability is a core value at Ambrosetti, and we are deeply committed to incorporating sustainable practices in every aspect of our production process. We prioritize energy efficiency and have installed numerous photovoltaic panels to generate clean energy, with plans to expand our solar capacity further. We strive for energy independence and source materials only from suppliers who guarantee production using renewable energy sources. For years, we have purchased materials produced with energy from photovoltaic and hydroelectric sources, despite the higher costs, as we believe it is an ethically responsible investment. Sustainability also extends to our production processes, where we utilize materials that generate minimal waste. Fortunately, brass is highly recyclable: a portion of what we purchase is directly used in our finished products, while the remaining scraps and waste are remelted and reused as raw material. This applies to both brass and aluminum. Even ferrous materials, which constitute a small part of our purchases, are managed sustainably. In essence, nothing ends up in landfill. Our environmental impact is minimized, resulting in a truly negligible amount of municipal waste.”
You are a company that is actively committed to sustainability, and this commitment goes beyond simply following a trend.
“Sustainability is deeply important to us. We actively address sustainability across all areas: environmental, social and governance. Our factory is a modern, energy-efficient building with an A energy rating, equipped with photovoltaic systems that cover a significant portion of our energy needs. The remaining energy we purchase is entirely from renewable sources and our natural gas supplier has implemented carbon offsetting projects. We use FSC-certified cardboard and recycled plastic packaging. Last year, we obtained ISO 14001 environmental certification, and this year we achieved Level 1 ZDHC compliance. In 2024, we launched a Corporate Welfare program, which will continue in 2025. We believe in the importance of social responsibility, both towards our employees and within the local community. We have offered our employees free yoga classes and supported a local sports association that promotes sports and basketball among young people. Furthermore, with a strong belief in ethical business practices, we have adopted a management system compliant with Law 231, which aims to prevent any wrongdoing, even unintentional. We recognize that these are just the first steps, and that sustainability requires ongoing and ever-deepening commitment. We are determined to do our part for a better future.