With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our founder, Bruno Mastrotto

The Courageous Entrepreneur

A prominent 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 legacy in his homeland and community.


The Visionary Entrepreneur

Born in Alvese di Nogarole, Bruno began working at a very young age: by fifteen, he was already employed in a tannery, where he quickly mastered the trade. Together with his father Arciso and his brothers, he founded the first workshop in Via Cavour, Arzignano, in a room measuring just fifteen square metres. By day he worked as an employee, and by night he would teach his brothers what he had learned, laying the foundations for what would become the family business.

In 1958, he founded Conceria Aurora with his father Arciso and his brothers, a company which evolved over time into what is now Gruppo Mastrotto – today one of the leading tanning groups worldwide.

Gifted with a remarkable ability to dream big and think globally, he steered the Group’s growth from a local business in the Vicenza district to an international leader, all while remaining firmly rooted in family values and his local territory. Over the years, and with the new generation on board, the company strengthened its presence in fashion, furniture, automotive, nautical and aviation industries, becoming a global reference point for bovine leather processing.

Today, the Group combines advanced industrial processes with creativity and sustainability – values that have been part of its DNA since the beginning. Bruno’s entrepreneurial drive and market foresight, supported by his brother Santo, allowed the company to expand globally, anticipating its international presence with production sites in Italy, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Tunisia, and Portugal, serving clients in over 110 countries.

In the early 2000s, he introduced a pioneering integrated management system, becoming the first in the tanning sector to adopt such innovation – a testament to his openness to innovation and digital transformation.

Alongside the tanning industry, in 1989, together with his brother Santo, he founded Midac Batteries in Verona, bringing their entrepreneurial vision into a completely different field and contributing to the rise of a successful industrial player in the battery sector.

From 1987 to 1991, he served as President of the Tanning Section of Confindustria Vicenza, and held advisory positions within the association, promoting the local tanning district and encouraging collaboration among businesses during a period of significant growth.

In 2003, he launched the “Borsa delle Idee” (Ideas Exchange) for Confindustria Vicenza, an initiative aimed at youth and innovation, driven by his belief that “it’s ideas we should fund, not buildings.” A project that reflected his forward-thinking mindset and desire to foster creativity as a driver of progress.

A man who faced every challenge with vision, courage, and humanity, he often repeated one of his favourite mottos: “Today is already the day after tomorrow.” A perfect summary of his forward-looking spirit, always anticipating change without fear.


Social Commitment and Philanthropy

Beyond his business life, Bruno Mastrotto consistently dedicated time and resources to solidarity and social causes. A founding member and long-time president (nearly twenty years) of the Movimento per i Diritti del Malato in Arzignano, he worked tirelessly to improve patient care and the quality of local healthcare services.

Even in the late 1990s, he foresaw the challenges of immigration: in 1998, alongside his wife Silvana Marchesini – who first conceived the idea – he supported the creation of the Karibuni Association, dedicated to the children of immigrant families.

In the Philippines, he supported many years of long-distance adoptions for children living in the slums of Manila through the mission of Father Giovanni Gentilin, offering them the opportunity to study and build a better future. Together with his brother, he also contributed to the construction of the “Talita Kumi” sanatorium for tuberculosis patients.

In 2001, Pope John Paul II awarded him the title of Knight Commander of the Order of St. Sylvester, one of the highest Papal honours, in recognition of his continuous support for social and missionary causes.

He also supported the Città della Speranza Foundation and contributed to the building of the Alépé Hospital in Côte d’Ivoire, alongside Sister Tiziana Maule.

In 2016, together with his wife and daughters, he founded the Fondazione Silvana e Bruno Mastrotto, continuing their social commitment through educational and welfare initiatives such as the Parkinson Café and La Tribù del Sole, and supporting Parkinson’s research at the University of Padua, led by Professor Angelo Antonini.


The Man and His Values

Bruno Mastrotto remained deeply connected to his family, to his roots, and to the hills of his childhood. He was a curious, energetic, and dynamic man – always looking ahead and ready to push beyond known boundaries. He was also devoted to his family and immensely proud of his three grandchildren, to whom he showed great affection.

His strength often lay in asking the right questions, foreseeing the future with clear and pragmatic vision. He loved to say: “The most beautiful thing that exists is yet to be invented.”

He loved speed – not only physical speed but the speed of thought and action. He was always oriented towards the future, driven by a constant desire to improve and innovate.

In recent years, he lived with Parkinson’s disease, which he faced with extraordinary strength, resilience, and dignity, continuing to inspire courage and calm in those around him. He passed away in his home, surrounded by his family's love, with the same grace and strength that had defined his life.


A Living Legacy

He leaves behind a modern, international, and resilient Group, built on the values that always guided him: work, family, respect, and responsibility towards people. He showed that it is possible to build a business without forgetting humanity, creating value for the community and the territory.

His passion, his enthusiasm for the company, and his courage in decision-making continue to inspire all those who knew him.


“You must have the courage not to be afraid.
Otherwise, all that remains is the fear of courage.”