Bvlgari has dynamically expanded "Manifattura Bvlgari," a unique ecosystem centered on innovation, savoir-faire, and sustainability in Valenza, Italy's renowned goldsmith town. This ambitious project aims to double production capacity by 2029, four times larger than in 2017. It also invests in the expertise of talented artisans from different generations and establishes "Las Cuora Bvlgari," Bvlgari's first education center, which will also welcome students from outside the brand.
Manifattura Bulgari Valenza
Sustainability is at the heart of the project, with the expansion being carbon neutral through the 100% renewable energy source. The site will also house Las Cuola Bulgari, a new jewelry-focused training school that will be open to the public for the first time. It will operate alongside the existing Bulgari Academy, which has been dedicated to training new Bulgari artisans since 2017.
A vibrant production hub
Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of the Bvlgari Group, commented:
"Manifattura Bvlgari Valenza embodies the brand's comprehensive vision of a production site that combines environmental responsibility, knowledge transfer and employee well-being. Its completion marks a milestone in Bvlgari's integrated structure, a strategy that aims to oversee the entire jewelry production process within one facility and foster continuous innovation and improvement. With artisans of more than 30 different nationalities, Manifattura Bvlgari is a vibrant production site where different cultures intersect and share a passion for excellence. The synergy created by talented people and noble efforts reflects a holistic approach to luxury, where everything and everyone is interconnected through each other's growth and contribution."
Manifattura Bulgari reborn through expansion
Eight years after its 2017 opening, and just two and a half years after announcing its major expansion plans, the new Manifattura Bvlgari has grown its workforce from 650 to 1100 today. The facility aims to double its production capacity and employ more than 1600 people by 2029. The expansion project involves the construction of two new buildings to join the complex completed in 2017: one dedicated to jewelry production and the other housing La Cuora Bvlgari, connected to the existing buildings by external suspension bridges. 1000 square meters of the new addition will be dedicated exclusively to La Cuora Bvlgari, demonstrating Bvlgari's unwavering commitment to the preservation of savoir-faire and exceptional craftsmanship.
A sustainable approach to expansion
"In accordance with these guidelines, the complex is significantly reducing its environmental footprint while protecting the surrounding environment and its biodiversity. The expansion incorporates solutions that cover up to 50% of its energy needs, with the remainder coming from 100% renewable sources. In particular, the new buildings are equipped with technological systems designed to ensure that the carbon footprint does not increase compared to the original complex, including a geothermal field that provides approximately 800 kWh of thermal energy for heating and cooling purposes via 100 geothermal probes extending to a depth of 200 meters."
This renewable energy commitment extends beyond the ground to the sky, with an ambitious embrace of solar power, including the installation of more than 4100 solar panels on the roof of the central building and in the parking area.From optimized air handling units to precisely controlled climate control in the work environment, from a no-plastic policy to water management processes, every aspect of operations is tailored to maximize efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
Obtained GOLD certification under the Green Building Certification System
Like the existing facility, the new expansion blends seamlessly into its surroundings. Built using innovative technologies and environmentally friendly materials, the facility has earned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification, the world's most stringent standard for assessing the sustainability of buildings. This certification, previously held for the production facility that opened in 2017, is considered the world's most stringent standard for assessing the sustainability of buildings. Furthermore, Manifattura Bvlgari is setting new standards in corporate social responsibility, environmental protection, and chain of custody (CoC) for its raw materials supply chain. Starting in January 2022, Bvlgari will use only Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) CoC-certified gold for all its jewelry creations. Achieving this important milestone, Bvlgari is now fully compliant with the industry's most stringent standards, achieving the feat of becoming the first jeweler to craft all of its jewelry entirely from certified gold.
Native trees were planted on 8000m2 of land outside the fence
In keeping with its commitment to making a positive impact on the region and biodiversity beyond the property, Bvlgari is also working with the Po Orba River Park Authority to plant 8000m2 of native trees outside the fence, creating a space for Bvlgari employees and the community to relax and enjoy, and working with local beekeepers to install 10 hives housing approximately one million bees.
Balancing employee health and work-life balance
While high standards are guaranteed in terms of material sourcing, workplace health and safety and environmental management through rigorous RJC and ISO certifications, Manifattura Bvlgari's comprehensive framework also incorporates employee well-being initiatives to promote health and work-life balance. From health checks to children's summer camps, from a corporate concierge to sustainable transportation programs, the collaborative approach ensures that these efforts derive environmental and practical benefits.
Tradition and the future
In conjunction with the expansion of Manifattura Bvlgari, La Scuola Bvlgari, Bvlgari's first educational center open to non-employee students, has opened on the premises. The center is an educational institution entirely dedicated to jewelry, offering specialized courses in goldsmithing and gemstone setting under a microscope. Developed and managed in partnership with TADS (Tari Design School), a renowned goldsmith training institution within the Centro Orafo Il Tarì in Marcianise, Italy, the school's programs are designed to equip students with all the skills necessary to create exceptional jewelry from scratch. Students learn how to preserve traditional techniques while incorporating them with the most innovative methods.
Bvlgari Academy
The project's central feature is the Education Center, the first school to be established within a jewelry production facility, located between a new and existing building. It serves as a symbolic bridge between the past and the future, connecting traditional know-how with the next generation of artisans. Meanwhile, the Bvlgari Academy is aimed at artisans who have joined Bvlgari, and is a highly specialized program focused on mastering specific craftsmanship skills that embody the excellence of the world of Bvlgari. Together with Las Cuora Bvlgari, Bvlgari further strengthens its commitment to preserving and passing on to future generations the traditions of goldsmithing, based on passion and expertise.
Inherited savoir-faire
