On 24 November 2018, Adolfo Mattirolo passed away at the age of 94. He was an historical figure of the Italian and European tanning industry. Known in the leather sector as “Comandante Mattirolo” for debuting his working life in the Italian navy as an officer, he took over the family tannery MESI in the 1950ies. Conceria MESI, located in Caselle Torinese in the northern Italian region of Piedmont and run today by his son Enrico and his nephew Enrico Tabellini, is specialised in the tanning of chamois leather.
Tireless worker, with a strong sense of duty, Adolfo Mattirolo brought the family business to the international dimension it has reached today. But Adolfo Mattirolo was also known for his diplomatic skills and respected as a tough negotiator, which made him become a protagonist in the Italian and European associative life for almost 20 years: he was president of UNIC – Concerie Italiane from 1985 to 1989, vice-president in 1983 and in 1984, adviser from 1979 to 1997. In COTANCE he held the vice-presidency from 1981 to 1989, followed by his terms of COTANCE president from 1989 to 1992, and as outgoing vice-president from 1992 to 1996.
COTANCE and Europe’s Tanning industry joins the condolences of family, friends and colleagues.