1947. Leone, Gianni’s son, studies at the chemistry
faculty of Milan University joins the company.
Under his father’s wing, Leone sets about his
work with a rare seriousness for his young age.
At this time the company has 15 employees,
a number never reached before. Production
increases in terms of numbers and product.
1951. At the age of 67, the painter Gianni Maimeri
died, the main character in this story, a person
out of the ordinary.
“With him a typical figure of our past has gone,
that of the romantic entrepreneur, bound more
to his creation than the results obtained.”
Writes the historian Edoardo Borruso.
“For the painter there are no longer coloured
objects, but the results of a composition of
pastes. That which for you is a delightful flower,
the object of notions, the source of emotion, is
for me an arrangement based on pink lacquer,
pale blue on white and giallolino, slightly cooled
by emerald. While at the same time never
ceasing to be a flower.” Gianni Maimeri, Diaries.
1968. In the years of the economic boom,
Maimeri finds itself needing more space.
To the south-east of Milan, the Maimeri plant
of Bettolino is built in the Municipality of Mediglia.
The premises covers around 8,000 m² and
is complete with offices, production department,
warehouse, canteen, varnish department,
infirmary and reception. In this way the new
plant optimizes rational exploitation
of the spaces available and ensures that Maimeri
employees enjoy a high standard of working life.
With the move Maimeri reorganizes its entire
production plant and takes all the necessary
precautions to safeguard and monitor the health
of workers by means of quarterly medical check-ups.
1974. Leone Maimeri, already aware of the
ecological impact of industry, decides to install
a purification system to treat the washing water
which was soon replaced by another more
efficient one. Analysis finds that the canal water
downstream from the Maimeri plant is cleaner
than the water upstream.
1951. The last picture
of Gianni and Anna Maimeri together.
1951. Leone Maimeri. Gianni’s first-born.
1968. The new factory
in Bettolino di Mediglia.