In Valenza, a small city in northern Italy, renowned as the country’s jewellery capital, Bvlgari has unveiled a significant project. With the expansion of its Manifattura, which is now the largest single-brand jewellery manufacturing site in the world, the Roman Maison is not just scaling up; it is making a bold statement about the vision of modern luxury: sustainable, skilled, and socially responsible. The company has increased its jewellery manufacturing space by 204,514 square feet, bringing the total to 355,209 square feet. This expansive facility in the Valenza countryside is a testament to Bvlgari’s commitment to producing “Made in Italy” products. Additionally, the company plans to hire 500 new craftsmen, creating a total of 1,600 jobs by 2029. To support this initiative, Bvlgari has established a school on-site to train aspiring jewellers and potential new hires. It's important to note that the site will exclusively produce jewellery for Bvlgari, including high jewellery pieces. Unique items, however, are typically crafted in Rome. The expansion has effectively doubled the company’s production capabilities.
The expansion is about more than just increasing production for Bulgari. It will bring more craftsmanship processes in-house and enable the further development of new techniques. This move also demonstrates remarkable foresight, as it aims to bring as much production as possible back home during a time when global trade is at a turning point. The company is dedicated to ensuring its manufacturing practices are sustainable. To respect its serene surroundings, the building operates on renewable energy, utilizing a geothermal system and over 4,100 solar panels. This setup provides up to 50 percent of the energy needed on-site, with the remaining energy supplied by other renewable sources. The facility also enforces a plastic-free policy and even features a bee farm that produces Bulgari honey.
However, the most significant aspect of the manufacture is the school, which aims to pass on knowledge to future generations of jewellers. “The school has been established in partnership with a renowned Italian jewellery school called TADS in the Naples region,” said Corinne Le Foll, CEO of Bulgari’s jewellery and high-jewellery division, in an interview with Robb Report. “It will be the first jewellery school located inside the manufacture, welcoming students who will earn a diploma that is officially validated and recognised by the Italian government. Upon graduation, students can either start their careers at Bulgari or venture out to explore the world.”
Since its original opening in Valenza in 2017, the manufacture has expanded significantly, growing from 370 jobs to 1,100 today. In addition to Bulgari, the LVMH group operates 66 workshops in Italy and celebrates two Italian brands, Loro Piana and Fendi, turning 100 this year. Bvlgari's new Manifattura also reimagines what a luxury workplace can be. The brand has implemented well-being programs that include preventive health screenings, summer camps for employees’ children, a sustainable mobility initiative, and on-site concierge services. This is not the hidden, exclusive world of high-jewellery ateliers of the past. Bvlgari’s Valenza site is designed to be transparent—a place where modern architecture, artisanal excellence, and responsible values come together. In doing so, the brand not only shapes precious metals and gemstones but also redefines what luxury means in a changing world.
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