Francesco Merloni

Francesco Merloni - The Former CEO of Indesit Company

Contribution to Indesit Company

Francesco Merloni was born in Fabriano, Italy, into a family of entrepreneurs. His grandfather, Aristide Merloni, founded the Indesit Company in 1930.

Merloni joined the company in 1956 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming CEO in 1975. Under his leadership, Indesit became one of the leading manufacturers of home appliances in Europe.

Awards and Recognition

Francesco Merloni was widely recognized for his contributions to the business world. He was awarded the title of Cavaliere del Lavoro (Knight of Labor) by the Italian President in 1985 and received honorary degrees from several universities.

In 1995, he was appointed president of the European Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

Mergers and Expansion of the Company

Under Merloni's leadership, Indesit acquired several other appliance manufacturers, including the British company Hotpoint in 1989 and the French company Brandt in 1994. These acquisitions helped Indesit to expand its reach across Europe and beyond.

The Merloni Foundation

In 1999, Francesco Merloni established the Merloni Foundation to support cultural and social initiatives in the Marche region of Italy.

The foundation has supported a wide range of projects, including the restoration of historical buildings, the creation of new museums, and the promotion of education and culture.

Legacy

Francesco Merloni stepped down as CEO of Indesit in 2005 but remained active in the company as chairman until 2011.

He died in 2016 at the age of 83.

Merloni is remembered as a visionary leader who helped to transform Indesit into a global leader in the home appliance industry.

His legacy of innovation and entrepreneurship continues to inspire generations of business leaders.