The story of Avatex, a manufacturing company that thrived in the Veneto region of Italy for nearly two decades, is more than just a business history. It’s a testament to post-war Italian entrepreneurship, the power of community, and the enduring bonds forged in the workplace. Now, that story is being preserved in a new book, “Scampoli di vita e Fili di storia” (Scraps of Life and Threads of History), penned by Maurizio Boschiero Bon and Patrizia Santacatterina, a former Avatex employee. The company, founded in 1966 and shuttered in 1983, left a deep mark on the town of Chiuppano and the lives of the predominantly female workforce it employed.
At the heart of the Avatex narrative is Gianfranco Zanchi, now 96 years old, the company’s founder. Zanchi’s journey began early, with involvement in the Italian partisan movement during World War II at the age of 13, a period that instilled in him a lifelong commitment to social responsibility. After the war, while living in Thiene, he connected with a representative from Battistella, a wool company, which sparked his interest in the textile industry. He began by purchasing finished garments from a local maglificio (knitwear factory) in Laverda, a fraction of Salcedo, run by the local priest, and then oversaw their ironing and packaging for resale. This early venture proved successful, laying the foundation for what would become Avatex.
From Compact Beginnings to a Thriving Business
As demand grew, Zanchi invested in larger knitting machines and leased a small shop in town, which served as the initial headquarters for his burgeoning business. Boschiero details how space constraints eventually led to a relocation of the ironing process to Thiene, first to Via Zanella and then to Via Masere, where the entire production process was consolidated. The company, initially named Ava in honor of actress Ava Gardner, needed more room to expand. In 1964, Zanchi purchased land in Chiuppano, on Via IV Novembre, with the cost split between the municipality and Zanchi himself, along with funding from the Ava company.
Avatex officially opened its doors in 1966, and quickly flourished. By 1970, the company employed 125 people and produced 700 garments daily. The company specialized in high-quality materials, particularly cashmere and other premium yarns, which allowed it to establish a strong presence in the European market. The quality of the materials became a hallmark of Avatex products, opening doors to clients across the continent.
The “Tose” and a Sense of Community
The story of Avatex is inextricably linked to the women who worked there, affectionately known as “tose” – a local term for girls or young women. Patrizia Santacatterina, co-author of the book, recalls starting at Avatex with her sister Alida at the age of 14 or 15, earning a relatively good wage of 120 lire per month. “We were always united,” Santacatterina recounts. “There was a sense of complicity and belonging among us workers. We created friendships that continue to this day, so much so that we periodically meet for coffee or pizza.”
That sense of community was powerfully demonstrated in April 2016, when approximately 80 former employees gathered with Zanchi to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Avatex’s founding. Another reunion is planned, with the now 96-year-old Zanchi expected to attend. The book itself was born from a desire to remember the company and the women who contributed to its success, preserving their stories and photographs for future generations.
The Challenges of the 1980s and the Company’s Closure
The 1980s brought significant challenges to the Italian manufacturing sector, as companies began to explore delocalization – moving production to countries with lower labor costs – to remain competitive. Avatex was not immune to these pressures. On November 11, 1983, the company’s employees received layoff notices and the business was placed into liquidation. In response, the workers occupied the factory, maintaining a continuous presence for months until, in May 1984, they received full payment of their outstanding wages and benefits.
The closure of Avatex marked the end of an era for Chiuppano and its workforce. While the factory is gone, the memories and the bonds forged within its walls endure, now immortalized in “Scampoli di vita e Fili di storia.” The book serves as a poignant reminder of a time when local businesses thrived and provided not just employment, but a sense of belonging and community. The story of Avatex is a microcosm of the broader shifts in Italian industry and the resilience of the people who navigated them.
As the former employees prepare for their upcoming reunion, the legacy of Avatex continues to resonate. The book is currently available for purchase locally in the Veneto region, and further information about obtaining a copy can be found through local cultural organizations in Thiene and Chiuppano. The preservation of these local histories is vital, offering valuable insights into the social and economic fabric of Italy’s past.
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