Richemont Invests €12 Million to Double Leather Goods Plant in Scandicci, Tuscany Luxury group strengthens its Florence-area manufacturing hub, with workforce set to reach 300 employees by year-end. Jun 30, 2026 | News Richemont, the Swiss luxury group, has completed a €12 million investment to expand and modernise its leather goods facility in Scandicci, near Florence, confirming Tuscany's continued strategic relevance for high-end manufacturing. The plant, now renamed Pelletteria Richemont Firenze (PRF), has grown from 5,000 to 12,000 square metres and was officially inaugurated on 23 June in the presence of Richemont Group CEO Nicolas Bos and local institutional representatives. A shared platform for five luxury brands The renovated facility now houses design, development and prototyping for handbags - and in some cases footwear - for five of the group's maisons: Cartier, Montblanc, Serapian, Dunhill and Chloé. It also hosts the group's repair centre serving Europe and the Middle East. While each brand retains dedicated spaces for creative and prototyping work, the site introduces a shared model for cutting operations, leather testing, warehousing, maintenance, and administrative, finance and HR functions. Long-term commitment to Tuscan craftsmanship The investment comes at a sensitive moment for Tuscany's luxury leather goods district, which has recently faced layoffs and production slowdowns. "We don't look at the short term, but at the long term," said Domenico Oliveri, Industrial Director of Richemont's Fashion & Accessories division. "We believe in manufacturing as a source of value, and this investment carries significant weight for the future of the leather goods business." Workforce growth and a stronger supply chain Employment at the site has grown from 150 to 250 over the past three years and is expected to reach 300 by the end of 2026, as expansion works - including a larger in-house cutting centre - are completed. Richemont also works with around 100 external Italian workshops employing more than 2,000 people, 60% of them based in Tuscany. The group plans to further internalise bag production by acquiring external workshops in the future. Craftsmanship at the core "We want to keep raising quality standards," said Cesare Landi, CEO of Pelletteria Richemont Firenze, highlighting the full internalisation of leather cutting as a strategic step that also reduces waste. "Technology and innovation matter, but artisanal skill and expertise will always make the difference." Institutional recognition Lapo Baroncelli, President of Confindustria Toscana Centro e Costa, welcomed the investment as evidence that Tuscan manufacturing excellence continues to evolve through research, innovation and skilled craftsmanship. Scandicci Mayor Claudia Sereni described the new plant as a strong signal of confidence in the area's expertise, quality of work and generations-long manufacturing tradition.

Pieter Mulier leaves Alaïa after five years as creative director. The Belgian designer is leaving the Richemont Group fashion house after boosting its sales. Rumors are already circulating that olivier rousteing (formerly of balmain) will replace him, while Mulier himself is tipped to take the reins at versace... Five years after joining Alaia, the Richemont Group fashion house announced on January 30 that Pieter Mulier was stepping down as creative director. This confirmed rumors that had been circulating in fashion circles... The Belgian designer will bid farewell after the Paris Fashion Week show, which will take place from March 2 to 10. Heading to versace? While wishing Pieter Mulier "every success in his future endeavors" and assuring him that he "will always remain a member of the Alaïa family," the company stated that "the studio will ensure continuity during the interim period until a creative organization is confirmed." * Every day, keep up to date with the latest business news from the world of luxury. * Receive the essential luxury business news by email every week * Access all its events * The Luxury Journals and Luxus Magazine in print and digital versions Become an active member of the community of luxury leaders. Sophie Michentef has worked for more than 30 years in the professional press. For fifteen years, she managed the French and international editorial staff of the Journal du Textile. She now puts her press, textile, fashion, and luxury expertise at the service of newspapers, professional organizations, and companies.