The history of the company "LANIFICIO MARCOLANA SRL” can be defined , with few and simple words, the typical realisation of the "Pratese” entrepreneurial activity, where "Pratese” is not meant to be only the restrictive term to indicate the inhabitant of the town of Prato, but a term that stands for a reality based on everything that has to do with the fabrics; fabrics to be worn, to be looked at, or simply, to be produced.

The origin of the company goes back to its original foundation in 1972 with the constitution of a small firm named "Lanificio Marcolana di Franchi Musso", privately owned and registered in the local Craft Union. However, in the middle of the ’70, the production of the new-born mill began to direct the production to high quality, including pure and cashmere blend fabrics. In 1988 the company is turned into a Limited Company, when Andrea Barontini joined the company. The young man, son of Ivo, one of the most well-known manufacturer of Prato, started immediately to move and open the way in the foreign countries that were, till then, a non exploited sector, positioning the mill in the middle-high segment.

The business trend increased almost immediately, bringing the turnover to a very important level. In view of the expanding corporate policy, in 1991 the company moved into its present location, in a 5100 sqm building. Now the different departments are all under the same roof, so to avoid any production waste and to establish a bilateral connection among the various production processes.

Moreover, inside the mill, there is a constant quality control of the greige fabric, to ensure that the final product is made easier, both in term of time and in quality. Stepping back in time, it takes date 1989, when Andrea’s brother, David Barontini, as well as the second-born of Ivo Barontini, joined the company with the consequent total taken over of it. The new young-man, thrown into a reality that till that moment he lived in reflection, puts in the company all his exuberance and willingness to do, pointing towards the Italian market. And the good results don’t let them wait for long.

Since 1989, the company LANIFICIO MARCOLANA srl , acquires a long lasting stability across the international and the domestic markets and this is getting nowadays even stronger. In 1994, the family Barontini makes the Lanificio Marcolana a family matter, when also Ivo Barontini and his wife Maria Gioia Calamai joined the company. IVO BARONTINI brings his personal technical and human sources knowledge, while Mrs Maria Gioia puts the doubtless female arts, such as style and practise eye, in the sampling department. The feedback fulfils that the original purpose has been reached, that is to turn a small enterprise into a world wide reality, with a firm and long lasting presence throughout the globe. And we can say that this has been our goal.

The mill believes with strong determination in its own potentiality leading to the opening of own Sales Offices in New York, in Tokyo and in Moscow, from where there can better support and possibility to follow those very important markets. And in the last times, the already conquered positions are getting stronger together with a continuos technical-stylish research.

In fact the mill is developing collections always more innovative and personalised according to the customer’s requirements and at the same time is attempting on the fabrics always with new finishing and ennobling techniques. It is stamping its products in a technical-practical-functional dimension without forgetting and loosing the original goal which is the comfort and the consumer’s satisfaction. Everything to bring, at the end, to the production of garments ready to wear.