Pirelli

Pirelli is a multinational company headquartered in Milan, Italy, that specializes in the production of high-performance tyres for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles. Founded in 1872, Pirelli is one of the world's leading tyre manufacturers.

The company, which has been listed on the Milan Stock Exchange since 1922, is the 6th-largest tyre manufacturer and is focused on the consumer production of tyres for cars, motorcycles and bicycles. It is present in Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, North America and the Post-Soviet states, operating commercially in over 160 countries. It has 19 manufacturing sites in 13 countries and a network of around 14,600 distributors and retailers.

Pirelli has been sponsoring sport competitions since 1907 and is the exclusive tyre partner and supplier for the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series for 2008–2010, FIA Formula One World Championship for 2011–present and for the FIM World Superbike Championship. Pirelli's headquarters are located in Milan's Bicocca district.

Pirelli's tire range caters to a variety of customers, from those seeking performance and handling to those looking for comfort and safety. The company's flagship products include the P Zero, Cinturato, and Scorpion tire families, which are used by leading automakers such as Audi, BMW, and Ferrari.

In recent years, Pirelli has expanded its product offerings to include digital services and solutions. The company has developed the Pirelli Connesso system, which allows drivers to monitor their tire performance in real-time using a smartphone app.

Founded in Milan in 1872 by Giovanni Battista Pirelli , the company initially specialised in rubber and derivative processes and also made scuba diving rebreathers. Thereafter, Pirelli's activities were primarily focused on the production of tyre and cables . In 2005, Pirelli sold its cable division to Goldman Sachs, which changed the new group's name to Prysmian.

In the 1950s, Alberto Pirelli commissioned the building of a skyscraper, Pirelli Tower, in the same Milanese area that housed the very first Pirelli factory during the 19th century.In 1974, Pirelli invented the "wide radial tyre", upon a request from the Lancia rally racing team for a tyre strong enough to withstand the power of the new Lancia Stratos. At that time, racing tyres were either slick tyres made with the cross ply technique , or radial tyres, which were too narrow to withstand the Stratos' power and did not provide enough grip. Both were unusable for the Lancia Stratos, as the radials were destroyed within 10 km, and the slicks too stiff. Lancia asked Pirelli for a solution, and in 1975 Pirelli created a wide tyre with a reduced sidewall height like a slick, but with a radial structure.

Subsequently, Porsche started using the same tyres with the Porsche 911 Turbo.

In 1988, Pirelli acquired the Armstrong Rubber Company, which was headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut, for $190 million.In 2000, Pirelli sold its terrestrial fibre optic cables business to Cisco and its optical components operations to Corning, for 5 billion euro. It invested – through Olimpia -part of the resulting liquidity to become a majority shareholder in Telecom Italia in 2001, maintaining this position until 2007.In 2002 the company started a range of Pirelli branded clothing, watches and eyewear.In 2005, Pirelli sold its Cables, Energy Systems and Telecommunications assets to Goldman Sachs and the newly formed company was named Prysmian. In the same year, 2005, Pirelli opened its first tyre production plant in Shandong province, China. This was the beginning of the group's production complex in the country.

In 2006, Pirelli chose Slatina for its first tyre production plant in Romania, extending the facility in 2011.In 2010, Pirelli completed its conversion to a pure tyre company by selling Pirelli Broadband Solutions and spinning off the real estate assets of Pirelli Re. Fondazione Pirelli was established in the same year to safeguard and celebrate the company's past and to promote business culture as an integral part of Italy's national cultural assets.

In March 2015, it was announced that Pirelli shareholders had accepted a €7.1 billion bid from ChemChina, together with Camfin and LTI, for the company. The transaction was completed and the company was delisted in November 2015.In May 2017, it was announced that Pirelli returns to the world of cycling with a new road cycling tyre range, P ZERO Velo.In September 2017, the company announced its intentions to sell up to 40 percent of its equity capital in an initial public offering as it plans to return to the Milan stock exchange in October.In March 2019 Pirelli announced a new range of mountainbiking tyres, called Scorpion.

In 2021 Pirelli introduced 18-inch tyres for the new aerodynamic and technical changes for 2022 in Formula One.

he mission of Pirelli is to provide its customers with high-quality, high-performance tires that are safe, reliable, and innovative. Pirelli aims to be a leader in the tire industry by constantly pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation to create tires that meet the evolving needs of its customers.

In addition to producing top-of-the-line tires, Pirelli is committed to sustainability and ethical business practices. The company strives to minimize its environmental impact through eco-friendly manufacturing processes and materials, as well as by reducing waste and emissions. Pirelli also upholds high standards of social responsibility, including respecting human rights, promoting diversity and inclusion, and supporting community development.

The vision of Pirelli is to be a global leader in the tire industry, known for its commitment to innovation, performance, and sustainability. The company aims to create value for its customers, employees, and shareholders by delivering products and services that exceed expectations and by operating in an ethical and responsible manner.

One of the key elements of Pirelli's vision is to leverage technology to create tires that not only perform exceptionally but also provide added value to customers. Pirelli's vision is to become a leading provider of digital solutions and services that help customers monitor their tire performance and maximize the life of their tires.

Another important aspect of Pirelli's vision is its commitment to sustainability. The company aims to minimize its environmental impact by reducing waste and emissions, using eco-friendly materials, and promoting circular economy practices. Pirelli also seeks to promote social responsibility by upholding high standards of ethical behavior, respecting human rights, and supporting community development.

Pirelli offers a range of products and services, including:

Tires for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles
Motorsport tires for various racing series, including Formula 1, World Rally Championship, and World Superbike Championship
Pirelli Connesso, a digital service that allows drivers to monitor their tire performance in real-time using a smartphone app
Pirelli Cyber Fleet, a digital solution for managing commercial fleets that tracks tire pressure, temperature, and other data to optimize performance and safety
Pirelli Perfect Fit, a program that provides personalized tires for specific car models and driving styles
Pirelli Design, a collection of fashion and lifestyle products inspired by the Pirelli brand
Pirelli Calendar, an annual publication featuring artistic and provocative photographs of celebrities and models.
 

Pirelli's main tire families include:

P Zero: high-performance tires for sports cars and luxury vehicles
Cinturato: environmentally-friendly tires that balance performance, comfort, and safety
Scorpion: tires for SUVs and off-road vehicles
Winter: tires designed for winter driving conditions
Formula: tires for motorsport racing.