The ceramic industry mourns Ivanno Ligabue

Ivanno Ligabue, a well-known Italian ceramic entrepreneur and one of the key figures behind the development of the international ceramic tile industry, died on Wednesday 8 June at the age of 67.

In 1973, in his early twenties, he and his business partner Ermes Bigi founded the engineering company LB. This pioneering enterprise in the field of ceramic research rapidly grew to become the undisputed world leader in the field of porcelain tile production technologies.

Ligabue always combined his brilliant technical insights with exceptional passion for his work and an innate talent for business and human relationships, as a result of which he soon led LB beyond national borders and enabled the company to establish a world leadership position in its segment.

Driven by his natural talent for public relations and deep awareness of the needs of the sector, in the late 1980s Ivanno Ligabue was one of the founders of ACIMAC, subsequently serving as chairman from 1996 to 2000.

Ivanno Ligabue’s passing leaves a deep void in the industry, which will remember him not just for his professional qualities but also for his extraordinary charisma, humanity, determination and spirit.

Acimac remembers its former chairman

Founder and chairman of Acimac from 1996 to 2000, Ivanno Ligabue will be remembered as one of the most gifted and brilliant entrepreneurs in the Sassuolo ceramic district

Acimac Director, Paolo Gambuli, offered the following tribute: “Ivanno Ligabue had the typical brilliance of a great generation of entrepreneurs coupled with a natural warmth and charisma that enabled him to build authentic human relationships based on respect and mutual esteem. Thanks to his charming, straightforward nature, he would frequently conclude a discussion or institutional event with a joke and a smile.”

Acimac Chairman Fabio Tarozzi remembered Ligabue as one of the key players behind the rise of the Italian ceramic machinery industry: “Ivanno will be remembered for the enormous contribution he made to our industry’s world leadership position. We worked together for many years on the association’s executive boards, where he always enlivened discussions with his wit, intelligence and humour. He achieved great business success by being the first to understand that what our customers purchase is an idea for a finished product rather than just a machine. He helped the ceramic industry make a big step forward by focusing on constant innovation and the aesthetic value of products.”