Vitale Barberis Canonico interprets the idea of sustainability as being based on three principal aspects: People, Environment and Product. The connection between these three concepts guarantees the creation of value over time. During its long history of more than 350 years creating fabrics for formal men’s clothing, Vitale Barberis Canonico has always been committed to sustainability: starting with its close ties to the region, from which it takes its principal resources and to which it is devoted, to returning economic growth and support to the community, while always keeping an eye on environmental issues.
In 2019, Vitale Barberis Canonico adopted a voluntary integrated QSE System (Quality, Safety, Environment) which has been formalised and is certified by a third party.
We have been awarded the following certifications for our plants in Pratrivero and Pray, and also for our showroom in Milan:
- UNI EN ISO 14001:2015 Environmental management systems
- UNI ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
alongside
- UNI EN ISO 9001: 2005 Quality management systems, which we were already awarded in 2009.
These are in recognition of the commitment of the 13 generations of the family running the company in its search for total quality in the three fundamental pillars: People, Environment and Product.
- 1982
- Reuse of the contents of the dyeing tanks to recuperate dyes and auxiliary chemicals and the reduction of water consumption.
- Purchase of first Greenhills farm in Australia
- 1987
Purification system for effluents with biological, active mud treatment and tertiary active carbon treatment
- 1989
Noise level reduction in weaving shops as a result of the study and installation of first generation sound-isolation cabins covering every loom.
- 1996
New finishing department with a number of system improvements for reduction of water consumption and energy.
- 2000
2001New highly-automated dyeing department with a number of system improvements for energy consumption reductions and reuse of contents of dyeing tanks
- 2003
New regenerative thermal afterburner for the treatment of waste gas smells caused by singeing.
- 2005
No Mulesed/Ceased Mulesed declaration system in collaboration with New England Wool.
- 2008
Model 231, including Company Code of Ethics.
- 2009
- Life Insurance for all employees pursuant to Company supplementary agreement.
- ISO 9001 Quality certification.
- New gas central heating system with low-emission steam generators and recuperation of energy from fumes and condensation.
- 2012
- New Company welfare system including supplementary health insurance, Long Term Care insurance, tax-free annual shopping voucher, pension hours time bank fostering ad hoc arrangements for serious or long-term sickness.
- Tessile e Salute (Textiles and Health) Certification.
- 2014
Wool Excellence Club and Wool Excellence Award dedicated to breeders.
- 2015
SustainaWOOL Integrity Scheme to promote the supply of sustainable raw materials.
- 2016
Second line of purification treatment using MBR membrane bioreactor and ozone decolourisation to recycle part of the effluents from finishing department.
- New Company supplementary agreement for maintenance of preceding agreements and improvement of provisions therein, amongst which safeguarding of salaries in events of serious or long-term sickness and implementation of an exclusive network of discounts with local businesses.
- Formalisation of CSR office.
- First Sustainability Report and the launch of H.O.P.E.
- 2019
QSE certifications QSA (UNI EN ISO 14001:2015 and UNI EN ISO 45001:2018)