Hermès consolidates its presence in Italy with the acquisition of a 15% stake in Lanificio Colombo, a Piedmontese company specializing in the production of cashmere and fine fiber fabrics. The investment, reported by Corriere della Sera, confirms the French fashion house’s desire to strengthen its control of the luxury supply chain, ensuring direct access to the most high-end materials.
The Borgosesia (Vercelli) company, founded by Luigi Colombo and now led by his son Alessandro alongside the third generation of the family, represents an international benchmark in the production of fabrics for luxury brands, including Hermès. In 2024, it generated revenues of approximately €100 million, a slight decrease of 6% compared to the previous year, and profits of €7.9 million.
Hermès’s acquisition of Lanificio Colombo is part of the vertical integration strategy pursued by the French giant (€3.9 billion in revenue in the last quarter) in recent years: that of consolidating control over raw materials and manufacturing processes where artisanal quality represents a competitive advantage
Until now, the house had concentrated its production investments primarily in France—especially in leather goods—and in Switzerland for the watchmaking sector. The Italian operation is therefore an exception, but consistent with the establishment of a network of selected and invested partners.
The agreement with Lanificio Colombo does not entail any changes in governance, which, according to the newspaper, will remain firmly in the hands of the founding family. Rather, the agreement aims to strengthen industrial and commercial collaboration, with joint investments in innovation, sustainability, and research into new natural fibers.
Hermes
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