– Leonardo Da Vinci
Our Story
«Experience is the only teacher we can rely on.»
Born in 1925 in Treporti, Gelsomino Bacciolo begins rowing a boat to work every day at just 11 years old.
His first encounter with metalworking is at the Nicelli Airport on the Lido of Venice.
These are tough times: World War II, fascist discipline, material shortages—there is no room for mistakes. If you brake a drill bit, the cost is deducted from your pay.
At just 8 years old, he loses his mother. He would later recount how, at the age of 20 in 1945, his dinner often consisted only of dried figs.
There is a hunger for redemption, fueled by a strong belief in reconstruction. Gelsomino learns all by himself numerous trades—from plumbing to taxi driving, from tinning to repairing bicycles. He decides o take on a debt of 50,000 lire to purchase his first welding machine, thus beginning a lifelong dialogue with metal.
His exceptional manual skills, artistic creativity, and strong work ethic make him the go-to blacksmith in the village and earn him a position of social prominence.
The company, officially founded in 1958, is built—and still operates—on the same values established back then.
1958
The Beginning
Let's take a step back: in 1950, Gelsomino transforms the ground floor of his home into his first workshop. In 1958, he registers with the Chamber of Commerce, officially starting his business. He becomes widely recognized as a blacksmith and window and door maker throughout the coastal area, expanding his work to the nearby islands and inland regions.
By 1960, the business had grown so much that it requires the construction of a dedicated building to house a new workshop.
1970
Vision
After finishing middle school, Giorgio decides to follow in his father’s footsteps. A young man driven by an unstoppable curiosity, observational skills, and a traveler’s spirit, he gradually leaves safe shores to embrace increasingly daring challenges. Investments are made in new machinery, and diverse processes are explored, such as the early adoption of stainless steel.
Through Giorgio Bacciolo’s vision, a small artisanal workshop is transformed into a thriving and constantly evolving business.
The company’s strength lies entirely in its family roots: Giorgio can always rely on the support of his mother Elvira and his sisters Cristina and Lucia.
1985
Pioneering Progress
Bacciolo Gelsomino e Figli Srl. is the first company in the Venetian Confartigianato network to adopt digital accounting. In 1996, investments are made in CAD software, during a period when the company is expanding its operations nationally and starting to reach the European market.
The number of collaborators grows significantly, and year after year, the company solidifies its position while building a wealth of expertise that extends beyond traditional blacksmithing.
2000
Milestones of Excellence
A masterpiece project: the Etruscan exhibition at Palazzo Grassi in Venice. Bacciolo Srl showcases its full potential in both quality and scale.
These are the years when artisanal expertise and the ability to find technical and organizational solutions are recognized and rewarded by internationally renowned architects.
The company grows stronger and starts to see the results of its hard work.
2004
Expanding Horizons
This is the year the workshop moved into a brand-new facility, purpose-built for its needs. Finally, the team can work in a suitable space, ready to begin some industrialized processes.
The new workspace is significantly larger, brighter, and designed with systems and features to maximize efficiency and ensure comfort for every operation. Significant investments are made in CNC machinery to enhance production capabilities.
2009
The Third Generation
The next generation joins the company: Nicolò Bacciolo, Giorgio’s son. With determination, tenacity, and a thoughtful approach, he successfully navigates the delicate process of leadership transition, becoming a key figure for the entire organization.
The third generation brings a more methodical, optimized, and digitalized approach to management and operations. Nicolò takes on the challenge of adapting the business to a fast-paced world where there is no room for errors.
The real test lies in facing the complexities of an increasingly competitive market with confidence and resilience.
2018
A New Philosophy
The arrival of Vittorio Bacciolo, Nicolò’s brother, brings fresh perspectives and experiences from other industries, different from the family tradition.
Together with new apprentices, guided by the experts, Vittorio initiates a shared journey of innovation and continuous change. Significant investments are made in the people who drive and bring Bacciolo Srl. to life every day.
Production phases, control procedures, analysis methods, and the layout of the offices and workshop are all updated to align with this evolving vision.
2023
Industry 4.0
Our company celebrates 65 years of history with a refreshed corporate image.
The year 2023 marks a decisive milestone, particularly with the acquisition of a new laser cutting machine for sheets and tubular materials. This advancement enhances our sheet metal processing capabilities and, most importantly, introduces a revolutionary approach to working with tubular structures.
This opens up new horizons, moving away from traditional methods and exploring endless possibilities for composition and production.
We all look at these achievements not as an endpoint, but as a starting point for even greater innovation.