Franco Manfredini appointed Knight of Labour

Franco Manfredini, chairman of Confindustria Ceramica and Casalgrande Padana, has been appointed Cavaliere del Lavoro (Knight of Labour). The prestigious award was granted on Monday 31 May by the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. This major recognition from the head of state crowns the 50-year career of the renowned entrepreneur and confirms the importance of the Italian tile industry within the national economy.

Manfrendini was appointed Chairman of Confindustria Ceramica in May 2009 after holding a number of prestigious positions on the association's various advisory committees. Since 1974 he has been at the helm of Casalgrande Padana, recently winning a number of awards: in 2006 the Sodalitas Social Award for the product innovation category, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Confindustria premia l'eccellenza awards, and in 2007 the Premio Impresa Ambiente award.