Founded in 1775, Garbellotto S.p.A. is one of Italy's oldest family-owned businesses and the world’s most renowned manufacturer of wooden barrels, casks, and vats. Rooted in the artisan traditions of cooperage( craft of making wooden barrels or casks) and spanning over eight generations, the company has demonstrated remarkable resilience, innovation, and continuity. Through the centuries, it has successfully navigated wars, economic downturns, and industry transformations, emerging as a symbol of "Made in Italy" craftsmanship globally.
Large Wooden Wine Barrels
1. Historical Overview and Family Lineage
1.1 Origins and the Founding Generation
The origins of Garbellotto S.p.A. date back to 1775 in San Fior, Treviso, when Mr. Giuseppe Garbellotto founded a small artisan workshop for making and repairing barrels, vats, and fine furniture. Giuseppe's passion for the craft of cooperage laid the foundation for what would become a multi-generational legacy. His business operated out of a courtyard next to the family home and involved not only his own labor but that of his son and grandson.
1.2 Subsequent Generations: Building a Family Enterprise
1.3 Industrialization and War: The 20th Century
The advent of the 20th century brought both opportunity and devastation. The First World War halted production, and the family home and workshop were seized by Austro-Hungarian troops. The archives were destroyed. Despite this, Mr. Giobatta Garbellotto (6th Gen), Narciso's son, revitalized the business with an industrial model and moved operations to Conegliano, taking advantage of better infrastructure.
He co-founded “Società Bottai di Garbellotto e Soci,” which would eventually be renamed Garbellotto S.p.A.. Under Giobatta’s leadership, the company became Italy's leading barrel manufacturer.
World War II again disrupted business, but post-war recovery came through the efforts of Giobatta’s son Mr. Pietro Garbellotto (7th Gen), a trained oenologist(wine expert with scientific and technical knowledge of winemaking). Pietro expanded production, pioneered the use of Balkan oak, and developed close ties with suppliers, becoming a consultant to the Yugoslav Ministry of Agriculture in the 1970s.
Mrs. Gregoria Bertini: Pietro’s wife, Gregoria, played a vital supporting role in nurturing the family and contributing to the intergenerational stability of the business. Alongside Pietro, she was instrumental in evaluating the moral and personal development of their children, particularly through the use of tools like the “Book of Faults”(The “book of faults” was a personal notebook where each child reflected on their own mistakes and proposed remedies, encouraging self-awareness and moral growth. Pietro and Gregoria reviewed the notebooks, offering feedback and sometimes adding their own thoughts, including local proverbs or reflections that expressed the family’s values and ethical outlook). Her active role in the upbringing and ethical foundation of the next generation ensured a holistic preparation for leadership.
2. Navigating Crisis and Renewal
The oil crisis and changing wine consumer preferences in the 1970s caused a downturn in barrel demand. In 1978, the company had zero orders. Despite this, Commander Pietro Garbellotto refused to lay off workers and paid them to maintain the factory. His gamble paid off in 1980 when Gallo Winery of California placed the largest order in the history of the cooperage industry: 712 giant vats, each with a 6,600-liter capacity. This saved the company and marked a renaissance.
3. The Eighth Generation: Continuity Through Innovation
After Pietro’s death in 2011, his sons (8th Generation) — Mr. Piero, Mr. Pieremilio, and Mr. Piergregorio Garbellotto — assumed leadership. Each manages a different area:
The trio exemplifies shared governance and uphold their father’s legacy, using tools like the "Regolieri" — a codified set of rules created by Pietro to guide behavior, operations, and ethics. These continue to be updated and required reading for all employees.
3.1 Preparation of the Next Generation
From an early age, Pietro ensured that his sons were immersed in the business. During school vacations, they worked in different areas of the factory under the supervision of veteran coopers like Mr. Giovanni Bottega. Piero worked in the office, Piergregorio assisted in finishing tasks, and Pieremilio learned to select wood. This hands-on training was complemented by the family’s unique educational tools such as the “Book of Faults,” where each child recorded personal shortcomings and self-improvement strategies, which were reviewed by both parents.
Pietro also used a “scholastic method,” encouraging his sons to analyze real-life business cases and reflect on their ethical implications. These lessons were eventually documented in the “Regolieri”, a living set of rules for the business. This holistic preparation ensured that the eighth generation entered leadership not just with technical skill but also with deeply ingrained family values.
4. Products and Innovation
4.1 Core Products
5. Organizational Culture and Values
Garbellotto S.p.A. has never experienced a strike in over two centuries. Employee retention spans generations, with family-like cohesion between workers and owners. Values like meritocracy, respect, fairness, and collaboration are deeply embedded in the corporate DNA.
Conclusion
Garbellotto S.p.A. stands as a remarkable example of long-term family business success. Anchored in craftsmanship, guided by strong values, and continuously evolving, it embodies the balance of tradition and innovation.
Source: Home - Garbellotto, Case_study_Garbellotto.pdf, Les Hénokiens - Association internationale d'entreprises familiales au moins bicentenaires
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