Dr. Fenzi’s passing prompts a wave of condolences and sadness at the loss of a true industry leader.
Dr. Dino Fenzi, Fenzi Group’s president, president of Vitrum and honorary president of the Italian Association of Glass-Processing Machinery and Accessory Suppliers (GIMAV), passed away Monday, September 22.
GIMAV said in a statement, “Our Association has lost one of its founding members, but above all a great friend who for over 30 years has dedicated his time and efforts to the growth of GIMAV and the industry as a whole.”
“Dino Fenzi was an elegant and very smart man,” said Nicole Harris, president and CEO of the National Glass AssociationWindow and Door Dealers Alliance. “In addition to building a formidable company that supplies both the glass and fenestration industries around the world, he was a leading force in building the GIMAV group of Italian suppliers and also Vitrum, the biennial trade show held in Milan that is an important marketing partner to GlassBuild America. We will always honor his memory and appreciate his many years of sage counsel and support to the NGA and WDDA.”
“(Dino) was the most astute business man and person I have ever met. The glass world has lost a leader and a visionary,” said Mark Franklin, president of Saand Inc. “His understanding of the dynamics in not only what was happening to global economics as well as whole glass industry, but especially in the mirror paint and glass sealant part of our business, gave Dino a unique perspective of not only what was happening, but where we are all headed.”
Fenzi’s father founded Fenzi Group in 1941, and Fenzi joined the company in 1959 at the age of 19. Dino Fenzi was also born 1941 in Milan. He earned his degree at Bocconi University. Dino went on to lead the company alongside his brother, Fernando, and the Fenzi Group has remained a family business, with Fenzi’s son, Alessandro, serving as CEO, and nephew, Fabio, as head of the Ceramic Paints Division.
Since the arrival of the Italian equipment suppliers on the international scene in the 1970s, Fenzi has served as a visible face and spokesperson for the group through his service as president of GIMAV and Vitrum, which the group sponsors.
“Truthfully, we are still in shock, as I’m sure the family is and all of Fenzi Italy with this sad news today,” said Fenzi North America general manager David Devenish. “I saw Dr. Fenzi at the recent GlassBuild show in Las Vegas and am certainly pleased that I was able to spend some time with him. He was his normal, energetic self with meeting many of his customers from not only the U.S. and Canada, but other parts of the world. He was well respected not only within the Italian glass market, but also throughout the world for such a long time as an ambassador to the Fenzi business. Our thoughts go to Alessandro Fenzi and his family over this time.”