Manfrotto page 22

The Manfrotto history

Manfrotto is a brand of camera and lighting supports, including tripods, monopods and other accessories, manufactured by Lino Manfrotto + Co. Spa, a company with its headquarters in Cassola, Italy. Manfrotto is owned by the British company The Vitec Group (Vinten), which bought Lino Manfrotto + Co. Spa in 1989.

In 2010, Manfrotto founded the Manfrotto School of Xcellence, a educational aid to help everyone and to bring them closer to photography and videography.

Lino Manfrotto, an Italian photo journalist, began with designing and selling light tripods, ceiling and wall systems such as wall arms and rods under the name 'Manfrotto' in the late sixties. In 1972, Lino Manfrotto met Gilberto Battocchio, a technician who worked for a mechanical company in Bassano. With the collaboration, in 1974 the company introduced its first tripod. In 1986, Manfrotto already had six factories in Bassano and in the next two years they would build another five factories in Villapaiera, the industrial zone of Feltre.

In 1989, Vitec Group Plc. bought Manfrotto, followed by the French company Gitzo in 1992 and the American company Bogen Photo Corp. in 1993.Vitec Group Plc. chose to keep the brands as separate lines in its portfolio. Manfrotto products were distributed in Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States by Manfrotto Distribution. In Canada, Manfrotto products are distributed by Gentec International.