The luxury group Zegna will open a new footwear and leather goods factory in Italy

Italian fashion group Ermenegildo Zegna said on Thursday it would open a new luxury footwear and leather goods factory in northern Italy to meet the growing needs of its brands.

The 12,500-square-meter facility will be located near Parma and is expected to be completed in December 2026. It should employ more than 300 people once it is at full capacity in 2027, the company said.

The initiative by the Zegna group, based in the Piedmont region of northern Italy but listed in New York, aims to promote Italian craftsmanship at a time when the luxury industry lacks artisans.

“The center will be more than just a production facility. It will play an important role as a training ground for a new generation of artisans, ensuring the continued viability of these important skills and working to preserve the uniqueness of 'Made in Italy',” he said. President and CEO Gildo Zegna.

The Italian group owns the Zegna and Thom Browne brands and operates Tom Ford Fashion through a long-term licensing agreement with Estée Lauder Companies.