The entrepreneur passed away at the age of 81 Gianpietro Benedettiat the helm, as president of the Danieli Group of Buttrio (Udine), among the world leaders in the design and construction of steel plants and among the top three European steel producers. A serious loss in the world of industry of which Benedetti had always been a leading figure.
His own story
He had joined the company in 1961 and loved to tell a funny anecdote from that first day, when he was sent home because he hadn’t brought his compasses with him. Certainly not for this funny detail, but for his great passion he managed to reach the highest peaks of the company in a short time. He first became project manager of small plants, then traveled around the world to start steel plants or to solve problems related to them.
From Brescia to South Africa, from Greece to Singapore, from Malaysia to Israel and the USA, he trained in the field for 5 years and this experience led him to become manager of the calibration rolling technology office for the definition of plant layouts at 30 years old . And, again, in ’76 he became technical sales manager of the sales office to which, in ’80, he added the technical direction which also included the research centre.
His winning bet
A visionary manager who challenged the market with a crucial transformation for the company which from a manufacturer of machinery for the steel industry then became a supplier of turnkey systems. He made a winning move, and when in 1986 Cecilia Danieli he became president and CEO, Benedetti was appointed general manager of the Group, together they managed to lead the company out of the crisis in the steel sector. After Cecilia’s death in 1999, he became president and CEO, remaining in office until 2018 when he took over. Giacomo Mareschthe Danieli, son of Cecilia.
Many recognitions
Numerous awards: he has been a Cavaliere del Lavoro since 2006 and has been awarded two degrees and an honorary MBA diploma. Benedetti was also one of the major shareholders of Nord Est Multimedia (Nem), the media company that in November 2023 had taken over numerous newspapers in the North East from Gedi.
Messages of condolence
“My deepest condolences to the family for the passing of Gianpietro Benedetti, one of the most far-sighted Italian entrepreneurs, at the helm of a strategic company proud of Made in Italy in the world“he wrote on X the Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso. But he is not the only political voice. Even the deputy Debora Serracchiani, former president of Friuli Venezia Giulia writes: “The death of the engineer Benedetti is a mourning for the Italian industry which loses a leading protagonist, an authoritative and reserved entrepreneur who crossed continents bringing with him his pragmatic spirit which allowed him to communicate with everyone“.
Also the governor of Friuli Venezia Giulia Massimiliano Fedriga, expressed his condolences on behalf of the region. But it is above all the industrial associations that remember him with great affection. Confindustria Udinethrough all its bodies and representing all associated companies, expresses “profound sadness and an enormous sense of loss for the passing of its president, the engineer Giampietro Benedetti, a true giant in the world of industry and a reference figure for our entire community. With his passing – we read in the note – We lose not only an extraordinary leader, but also a mentor, an inspirer and a friend to many of us.
His bold vision, his unwavering commitment and his contagious passion have guided generations of entrepreneurs and left an indelible mark on the industrial fabric of our territory and the entire country, but his caliber goes further, on an international level“.
