Lucia Masutti appointed general manager of GIMAV and Vitrum to lead Italian glass industry forward
The Italian Association of Suppliers of Machinery, Accessories and Special Products for Glass Processing (GIMAV) and Vitrum, the international trade show dedicated to glass technologies, have announced a significant leadership change set to take effect on 16 June. Lucia Masutti will assume the role of General Manager for both GIMAV and Vitrum, succeeding Fabrizio Cattaneo. Alongside this appointment, Masutti will also join the Board of Directors of Vitrum.
Lucia Masutti brings a wealth of experience from her current position as General Manager of Glass Group, Italy’s largest collective of flat glass processing companies, and her leadership as President of the Transformers Section of Assovetro, the Italian flat glass association. Her extensive background in developing strategic industrial partnerships and managing institutional relations, notably through her tenure at Fondazione Cariplo—a prominent European banking foundation—positions her to lead the organisations through a pivotal period of growth and consolidation within the glass supply chain.
Dino Zandonella Necca, President of GIMAV and Vitrum, highlighted the strategic importance of the appointment: “This appointment strengthens the renewal path already undertaken. We believe that the vision and skills of Lucia Masutti can represent a strategic added value for both organizations. The goal is clear: to consolidate GIMAV as a unified point of reference for the entire glass industry—both flat and hollow—strengthening the representation of the supply chain in all its components, and promoting an integrated and innovation-oriented approach.” He further emphasised that Masutti’s established networks and her ability to foster concrete collaborations will be critical in addressing the current and future industrial challenges.
Masutti outlined her plans for the organisations ahead, stressing a dual focus on membership growth and reinvigorating the Vitrum trade show. “For GIMAV we are already working on a new membership program, aimed at consolidating and expanding the association base, with particular attention to service innovation and the Association’s ability to meet the new needs of businesses. For Vitrum, the top priority will be to restore the trade show to full competitiveness, giving it a strong positioning both in terms of appeal for visitors and industry operators, and in terms of geographic market relevance. Vitrum must return to being a strategic destination, a must-attend event for those working in the glass industry, capable of capturing global trends and creating real value for companies,” she said.
Looking towards the future, Masutti envisages Vitrum as an international hub for cutting-edge industry themes such as innovation, robotics, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. She identified emerging markets including North Africa, Southern and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia as key areas for expansion, aiming to support the internationalisation of Italian companies and foster new commercial and industrial opportunities.
To realise these objectives, Masutti stressed the importance of enhanced collaboration with institutions responsible for economic development and internationalisation, particularly the Italian Trade Agency (ICE). “Strengthening institutional relations, alongside the involvement of research bodies, universities and competence centres, will be an integral part of a vision that aims to project Vitrum into the near future as a reference platform for advanced manufacturing,” she noted.
The leadership transition comes amid a complex economic and industrial backdrop marked by geopolitical uncertainties, rapid technological advances, and an increasing emphasis on sustainability. The appointment of Masutti is seen as a strategic move to promote a cohesive, forward-looking approach, fostering collaboration among supply chain actors, institutions, research centres, and global markets.
The changes are designed to enhance the competitiveness of Italy’s glass industry by building on collective expertise and innovation, thereby reinforcing the country’s position as a leader in the sector.