Herno Laminar

Herno, an Italian outerwear brand, was founded in Lesa in 1948, nestled in the mouth of the Erno river that cascades into Lake Maggiore. The company's name pays homage to this river, with the addition of an 'H' as a tribute to H2O, reflecting the brand's strong connection to water and the local climate. The brand's inception was sparked by the ingenuity of Giuseppe Marenzi and his wife Alessandra Diana. Giuseppe, previously an employee at aircraft producer Siai-Marchetti during the Second World War, found himself jobless after the war's end. His journey to founding Herno began with a job at a raincoat company, a natural fit as waterproofing cotton required the use of castor oil, the same substance used as fuel in military planes. The extremely humid and wet climate of Lake Maggiore made well-crafted raincoats a necessity, presenting an opportunity for Giuseppe to establish his own company, Herno​​.

The company's dedication to sustainable and ethical practices is a cornerstone of its philosophy. Their buildings, located in Lesa, Italy on Lake Maggiore, are camouflaged by greenery, harmonizing with the surrounding landscape and demonstrating respect for the local environment. Solar panels and low-consumption machinery underscore their commitment to sustainability. Beyond just making a statement, these practices also improve the working environment and the overall job at hand​​.

In 2005, the brand was in need of a new direction, and it was Claudio Marenzi, Giuseppe's son, who took the helm and steered the company towards international growth. His leadership marked a turning point for Herno, as he launched a campaign to promote awareness through investment in research, technology, and eco-sustainability projects. This included the production of Europe's first P.E.F. garment, a significant step towards sustainable apparel manufacturing. A strategic change led to an increased focus on the transformation of machinery, driving important innovations in Herno's production processes. This reshaped the company's business vision, motivating young talent and creating a simple, efficient company with a fresh business model. As a result, Herno's outerwear is designed with the modern consumer in mind, emphasizing emblematic craftsmanship and sleek taste​​.

Herno's revenue is predominantly generated by foreign markets, accounting for almost 70% of the total. The brand's turnover is 113.3 million euros with a profitability of around 14%. The company employs 200 people at the Lesa branch and another 800 at the double-cashmere production branch in Sicily. Herno is known for creating a dialogue between Italian apparel brands and technically advanced textile research, maintaining a perfect balance of sartorial tradition while pushing boundaries in fabric performance​​.

Herno Laminar is a line under the Herno brand. While the specific information about this line is not directly available from the sources consulted, it is clear that the quality and research are the key elements of all Herno products. The brand boasts over 70 years of know-how and expertise, which they continuously combine with research into new technologies. This process gives life to new and surprising projects each year. A signature feature of Herno's products is their inherent lightness and thoughtful attention to detail. They let the quality and craftsmanship speak for themselves and do not rely on logos to promote the brand. This approach allows the consumer to focus solely on the garment​.