Dior, a brand of the giant Lvmh, is consolidating its presence in Scandicci (Fi), which is increasingly being characterized as the capital of leather goods and luxury. In fact, the famous French brand is working to define the purchase of a 7,500-square-meter production space, currently owned by the well-known furniture company Savio Firmino. The goal is to transform it into a production center for high-end handbags.
This is not a new arrival, however, but rather a consolidation. In fact, Dior has already been present since 2013 in Scandicci with "Manufactures Dior," that is, with a 200-employee facility committed to prototyping and a small production department for bags in fine leathers. Numbers and activities that, at this point, are set to grow substantially. The operation is part of a larger project that has seen Dior consolidate its presence in Tuscany already with other steps. Last December, the acquisition, in the Santa Croce tanning district, of Art Lab, a leading company in digital printing and manual finishing of leather accessories, went in this direction.
If the acquisition of the Savio Firmino property goes through, Dior will thus be able to plant a new flag in Scandicci, where rival Kering is already present in force, first and foremost with the Gucci (which has been active here for many years) and Yves Saint Laurent (which bought the huge spaces of the former Palazzo delle Finanze in the same area) brands, but also with some offices in the center. But the designer presences concern the entire Florentine district. For Balenciaga (Kering), the Empoli area plays a central role, particularly with Cerreto Guidi, where a new production hub was recently cut of. Fendi and Givenchy (also Lvmh) are in Bagno a Ripoli, while Vuitton is planning a huge production facility in Sieci, in the municipality of Pontassieve. Finally, Tod's is planning to open a 150-employee plant in Vallina, in Bagno a Ripoli.
