1945: Establishment and beginning
LATI, already active in 1943, came into being officially in 1945 at the end of World War II thanks to its founder Prof. Cosimo Conterno, who was practising as a chartered accountant in Milan at that time.
The first business activity of the company, the production of cellulose acetate compounds, was facilitated thanks to the availability of materials conceded to the Italian population by the Marshall Plan (e.g. underwear made of cellulose acetate, plastic army masks and many other items that LATI selected and recycled).
The war also conditioned the Conterno family as to where to set up their industrial activity; Vedano Olona was in fact considered safe from the bombs which were frequently dropped on Milan, but at the same time it was near enough to allow Cosimo to reach his Milan office by train.
The 50’s and 60’s: The economic boom and the fast
It was actually Prof. Cosimo Conterno’s chartered accounting office which enabled him to make important contacts for his future business in the industrial sector and in particular the chemical sector: thanks to the relationship with Montedison, the company enjoyed an authentic boom in the 50’s and 60’s.
The early 60’s were the forerunners of great success: a complete range of short and long glass fibre reinforced products was launched.
The 70’s: The consolidation
The early 70’s saw the realization of the range of Flame Retardants (FR), developed due to the demand from the electrical household appliance sector.
In the meantime the management of the company was entrusted to Cosimo’s eldest son, Engineer Giovanni Conterno, who introduced modern extrusion technology as well as modernizing the logical course of operations, which included the layout of the factory.
Subsequently, Giovanni’s brother, Prof. Francesco Conterno, the current president of LATI S.p.A., transformed the company from a local reality into an international reality, affirmed and well-known in many countries, making it the successful independent compounder it is today.
The 80’s and 90’s: Innovation and internationalization
A change in strategy took place at the end of the 80’s: the decision to invest in the development of special high-performance products. The internationalization at that point marked the complete development of the company.
Thanks to diverse procedures according to the country involved, the level of experience of each member of the organization has greatly increased.
XXI Century: The present and the future
The Company is ready to face the new millenium by following the direction of innovation and internationalization.
Particular attention is given to eco-sustainable and eco-compatible products which allow an energy saving: with less expensive production costs and weight reduction on pieces especially when specific structural performances are required.
In 2016, President, Prof. Francesco Conterno, transferred full powers of management to his daughter, Dr Michela Conterno, appointing her as Chief Executive Officer, while continuing to work alongside her at an important long-term investment plan aimed to modernize the company's industrial and production departments.
In 2020, the succession was completed with the transfer of LATI Group’s shares from the President to his two daughters Livia, and Michela. Livia supports her sister in the management of the company and takes on the new role as shareholder with a great sense of responsibility. Livia is also a Member of the Board of Directors and is in charge of Corporate Social Affairs since 2019.
