vlgari inaugurates its newly expanded production facility in Valenza, now the largest single-brand jewellery manufacturing site in the world and a magnificent example of sustainability, not only in its structure but also in its operation. With an enlargement of nearly 19,000 sqm, the currently 33,000 sqm “Manifattura Bvlgari” will hire over 500 new craftsmen by 2029, creating new opportunities for present and future generations of talented artisans and perpetuating the genius and artistry of Made in Italy craftsmanship.
Sustainability is at the core of the project, which relies on renewable energy sources to ensure that the expansion’s operations are substantially carbon neutral. The site will also host the new Scuola Bvlgari, the first publicly accessible Bvlgari training school focused on jewellery, which joins the existing Bvlgari Jewellery Academy, dedicated since 2017 to the training of newly-hired Bvlgari craftsmen. This all makes Manifattura Bvlgari a unique ecosystem of its kind, the result of the brand’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and transmission of savoir-faire united with the excellence of Made in Italy.
“Bvlgari Manifattura in Valenza embodies the Brand’s holistic vision for manufacturing sites, combining environmental responsibility, knowledge transmission, and employee well-being. A milestone in Bvlgari’s vertical integration strategy, aiming to oversee the entire production process within a workplace that fosters continuous innovation and improvement. With artisans from more than 30 different nationalities, Manifattura Bvlgari is a vibrant crossroads of cultures, fueled by a shared passion for excellence. This synergy of brilliant people and virtuous practices reflects an overarching approach to luxury, where everything and everyone is interconnected through mutual growth and giving back,” says Bvlgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin.
Eight years after its initial opening in 2017, and just two and a half years after announcing its large-scale expansion plan, the new Manifattura has grown from 370 jobs in 2017 to 1,100 today, with the goal of exceeding 1,600 employees by 2029 and doubling its production capacity by then. The enlargement consisted in the construction of two new buildings joining the complex inaugurated in 2017: one dedicated to production while the other housing the Scuola Bvlgari, both linked by an external suspended bridge to the existing structure. In the new extension, the 1,000 sqm dedicated to the Scuola Bvlgari are a testament to the brand’s unfading focus on know-how transmission and excellent craftmanship.
The expansion is a far-reaching project that underscores Bvlgari’s strategic vision of vertical integration, ensuring oversight of the entire jewellery production process, from raw material sourcing to the final creation, while also propelling artisanal tradition into the future. As patron of goldsmitting art, the High Jewellery Maison further strengthens its commitment to a territory where exceptional craftsmanship has been passed down since the early 19th century.
The new site has been designed with a fully sustainable approach, following principles of energy efficiency to drastically reduce its environmental footprint while preserving the surrounding territory and its biodiversity. The factory expansion incorporates solutions that cover up to 50% of the facility’s energy needs, with the remainder supplied by 100% renewable energy sources.
Specifically, the new buildings include additional technological systems designed to maintain the same Carbon Footprint of the original complex, such as a geothermal field providing approximately 800 kWh of thermal energy for heating and cooling through 100 ground probes extending 200 meters deep. This commitment to renewable energy extends skyward through an ambitious solar energy initiative with more than 4,100 photovoltaic panels installed atop the central building and parking areas. From optimised air treatment units to precisely controlled work environment temperatures, from plastic-free policies to water management processes, every aspect of operations is calibrated to minimise environmental impact while maximising efficiency.
The new extension seamlessly integrates into the surrounding environment, just like the existing facility, and has been built using innovative technologies and low-impact materials to achieve LEED GOLD certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the world’s most rigorous sustainable building standard, already earned by the Manifattura opened in 2017.
In addition, Manifattura Bvlgari established a new benchmark in corporate social responsibility, environmental protection, and supply chain custody of raw materials throughout the entire production process: since January 2022, it has exclusively used RJC CoC (Responsible Jewellery Council Chain of Custody) certified gold for all its jewellery creations. With this pivotal milestone, Bvlgari achieved a record as the first jeweler to craft 100% of its creations using only gold from fully certified sources, in full adherence of the highest industry standards available.
With a commitment that extends beyond its walls to create a positive impact on the territory and biodiversity, additional interventions comprise the reforestation of a plot of 8,000 square meters external to fences with native tree species in agreement with the Po and Orba River Park Authority. This initiative also involves the creation of areas designated for the leisure and recreation of Bvlgari employees and the broader community as well as a collaboration with a local beekeeper for the installation of 10 hives, housing around 1 million bees.
While responsible Jewellery Council and ISO rigorous certifications ensure high standards for material sourcing, workplace health and safety and environmental management, Manifattura’s holistic framework also encompasses employee wellbeing initiatives that address both health and work-life balance. From preventive screenings to summer camps for children, from a corporate concierge to sustainable mobility programs, a collaborative approach ensures that these initiatives deliver both environmental benefits and practical advantages.
With the expansion, Manifattura welcomes Scuola Bvlgari, the Maison’s first publicly accessible education center entirely dedicated to jewellery, offering professional courses in goldsmithing and gemstone setting with microscope. Developed and managed in partnership with TADS (Tarì Design School), the renowned goldsmith training centre of Centro Orafo Il Tarì in Marcianise, the school is designed to impart all the skills necessary to craft exceptional jewellery creations from scratch. Students will inherit traditional techniques and learn to apply them alongside the most innovative methodologies.
As the beating heart of the project, it is the first school within a jewellery manufacturing facility, positioned in the space between the new building and the existing one, a symbolic bridge between past and future, connecting traditional know-how, and the next generation of artisans. Alongside the Bvlgari Jewellery Academy, a highly specialised program dedicated to new employees and focused on the specific craftsmanship techniques of the Bvlgari universe of excellence, Scuola Bvlgari further strengthens the brand’s commitment to preserving and passing down a goldsmithing legacy built on passion and expertise.
“Safeguarding and advancing traditional arts and crafts is an integral part of Bvlgari’s identity. At Scuola Bvlgari, students will be trained by master goldsmiths, academic experts, and established professionals in the jewellery industry. This practical and theoretical training, recognised by the Italian Ministry of Education and aligned with European standards, will offer the most talented students the opportunity to further their professional growth within the Bvlgari world. Together with the Bvlgari Jewellery Academy, launched in 2017, this new educational initiative represents both a concrete and symbolic investment in the genius and artistry of Made in Italy,” states Corinne Le Foll, Bvlgari Jewellery Managing Director.
