On October 21, our Chairman, Giorgio Girondi, officially received the insignia of Knight of the Order of Merit for Labour from the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, during the ceremony held at the Quirinale Palace in Rome.
The ceremony marked the official conferment of this prestigious honour following Giorgio Girondi’s appointment as a Knight of the Order of Merit for Labour by Decree of the President of the Republic on May 27, 2026. Among the most prestigious honours bestowed by the Italian Republic in the business sector, the title of Knight of the Order of Merit for Labour recognises individuals who have distinguished themselves through their contribution to the country’s economic, industrial, and social development, driven by an entrepreneurial vision based on growth, innovation, and responsibility.
For Giorgio Girondi, this recognition represents a particularly significant milestone in an entrepreneurial journey closely linked to the growth and evolution of UFI. At the helm of the company founded by his father together with three partners in 1971, he has guided the Group’s international expansion and technological development since the early 1980s, broadening its expertise from filtration and thermal management to, more recently, green hydrogen technologies through UFI Hydrogen.
“Receiving the insignia of Knight of Labour from the hands of President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella is a deeply moving experience for me and, above all, a great responsibility. I dedicate this recognition to my father, who instilled in me the value of work and entrepreneurship, to my family, and to the thousands of people who every day make the UFI Group an international champion of manufacturing and UFI Hydrogen one of Italy’s most innovative companies in the field of hydrogen.
Being an entrepreneur means looking ahead, innovating, and having the courage to invest in the future, while never forgetting the people and communities from which we started. This honour is not a finish line for me, but rather an even stronger commitment to continue creating value for Italy and bringing the excellence of our industry to the world.” said Giorgio Girondi, Chairman of the UFI Group.
Today, our Group operates 23 manufacturing sites worldwide, produces more than 70 million filters every year, holds over 360 patents, and employs approximately 4,300 people. Our technologies are chosen by 95% of the world’s automotive manufacturers, while our longstanding connection with motorsport, which began with the historic partnership with Scuderia Ferrari, has evolved into our current role as supplier to every Formula 1 team. The presentation of the insignia at the Quirinale Palace therefore represents not only an important personal achievement for Giorgio Girondi, but also recognition of an industrial journey built on entrepreneurship, innovation, responsibility, and long-term vision. An honour that celebrates UFI’s Italian roots and the contribution of the people who have supported its international growth, while looking ahead to the future and the new challenges of mobility and energy.
