GIANNI MORETTI
La Ercole Moretti
La Ercole Moretti was founded in 1911. The company started producing glass pearls – derived from glass canes. The production of the beads takes place in front of the heat a flame.
The factory developed the right composition of the material and the means to completely polish the surface. Another advanced technique they developed was the production of the famous “perla Rosetta”. Gianni recounts several anecdotes to stress how this famous pearl has penetrated life of many generations.
The firm also pushed forward the “vetro mosaico” or “millefiore” having a black centre – the “anima”. He speaks about the demand for adornments in the 19th century that was a major driver for exports, especially to West Africa, creating lots of jobs in manufacturing.
In 1935 la Ercole Moretti brought forth a new method of using hollow copper tubes substituting the plain iron ones to improve the cooling process of the glass.
Over the recent years export markets have changed substantially. Whereas the USA has retreated Japan has become a good source of business. A point of concern is the general production situation due to a lack of young people wanting to join and engage in this field of operation.
