“Since I was young, I never thought of being a lawyer, a doctor or an aircraft pilot. I wanted to be a craftsman: I wanted to produce something. I thought I would get to have a small shed with a small house and a dozen employees, like most entrepreneurs in the Veneto region,” says Carlo Vaccari, born in 1940 and founder of Ferplast, a leading Italian multinational in pet comfort.
From a handcrafted product to industrial production
It all starts with a somewhat bizarre handmade product: plastic cages for small birds used as decoys by hunters. Vaccari works out of a fifty-square-foot room overlooking a courtyard in Costo di Arzignano (VI). Many laugh at his business, but he does not give up. He is supported by his sister Caterina, who abandons her job as a seamstress to follow Carlo’s project from the beginning, to which she will never stop collaborating.
Production evolved as early as the early 1970s, and cages became primarily those for pet birds with their plastic elements, drinking troughs, and feed compartments.
International expansion and new products
The step from cages to carriers and kennels is short. The company grew: in the 1980s, it began expanding abroad and opened its first sales branches in Europe, while in the 1990s, it inaugurated the plastics department, which kicked off the production of accessories for all pets.
In the 2000s, they opened two new production sites, in Ukraine and Slovakia, in addition to the one in Italy in Castelgomberto (VI), with a total production area of 170,000 square meters. Besides, Ferplast has a catalogue of about 4,000 items, employs 1,000 people, and markets in as many as 85 countries.
A virtuous company
The company invests 8% of its turnover in research and development to improve its products and continue to update the range. In fact, Ferplast has already registered over 100 international patents. In addition, it combines its focus on product quality with attention to environmental sustainability through the responsible use of materials and resources and careful selection of suppliers who respect the company’s ethical standards and guarantee fair working conditions.
The second generation and an act of courage
In 2004, Ferplast started a new product line in the aquarium sector, and in 2005, it launched its new payoff: New Pet Generation. In 2008, Nicola Vaccari, son of founder and president Carlo, joined the family business as general manager.
In 2016, Ferplast turned 50 years old. In mid-February 2022, it boldly decided to remain operational in Ukraine even though the situation was becoming dangerous, and a Russian missile had fallen a few dozen kilometres from the factory, causing damage to the infrastructure.
Knights of labour
A curiosity: Carlo Vaccari was appointed Cavaliere del Lavoro by President Cossiga and his sister Caterina Vaccari by President Scalfaro.
Congratulations to those who, with courage and passion, have brought Italy’s know-how to the world!
Discover other Italian companies that make products for animals.