HISTORY
80 years of innovation.
The history of Lonati S.p.A. began in 1946 with the entrepreneurial vision of Francesco Lonati, who laid the foundations for a company destined to become a world leader in the production of circular knitting machines for hosiery.
Francesco Lonati:
the pioneer
of innovation.
Francesco Lonati was the founder in 1946 of the first production nucleus, characterized by the construction of circular machines for men’s and children’s socks. At that time, the needs of the nascent mass societies, with the ever-increasing demand for consumption, imposed greater production diversification on a broader industrial basis. Thus Francesco Lonati in 1952 greatly expanded the product range, beginning the construction of women’s hosiery machines in the new factory in Brescia. The new production facility, about 1,000 square meters covered and about 30 workers, allows for quantitatively larger orders. Francesco Lonati also seeks new business outlets, expanding the market beyond the national borders. LONATI’s women’s sock machines meet with lively success, partly because they are the first in Europe to adopt a key technological innovation: two-fall machining.
Lonati machines cover almost the entire world production of women’s stockings, 60% of the production of men’s and children’s stockings. Thanks to the acquisition of historic brands, the development and optimization of technologies, the expansion around the world, Lonati has led local industrial traditions to unprecedented levels.
Expansion international of Lonati machines.
The new machine soon knows success in the MEC countries and particularly in Federal Germany, later also in England. Export between 1955 and 1960 also expanded beyond Europe: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Mexico, Chile, South America, North America, and Scandinavian countries. By now, relations have been established with the whole world, not least because from 1966 a considerable penetration into the countries beyond the curtain began. Dialoguing with the world requires careful evaluation of market trends, progressive technological updating and continuous upgrading of industrial facilities, so in 1969 the plant was greatly expanded, bringing the area to 30,000 square meters, 15,000 of which was covered, and raising the workforce to 300 workers.
Growth and innovation
without borders.
In parallel with technological innovation, LONATI strengthened its presence in overseas markets by setting up an efficient export department and a capillary sales network of agents and dealers worldwide. When the company decided to produce double-cylinder machines for knitting men’s and children socks, it made a bold choice considering the strong tradition of competitors and the significant investments required to turn out a new-concept machine, which is still considered the most technologically advanced. An entrepreneurial endeavour that has been rewarded by the impressive success on all world markets.