Mapei's Giorgio Squinzi took over in 1984 and built a global adhesives leader

Rodolfo Squinzi founded Mapei in Milan in 1937 to make construction products; in 1984, after his father's death, chemist Giorgio Squinzi became sole administrator and set the company on a new growth path.

Under Giorgio's leadership Mapei expanded from Italy to the world, building plants and subsidiaries in construction chemicals, adhesives and sealants, and became a global leader in the adhesives business.

Giorgio led the group until his death in 2019, when his children Veronica and Marco took over as co-CEOs and his wife Laura became chairman; Mapei closed 2023 with consolidated turnover of €4.2 billion, 96 subsidiaries in 57 countries and 93 manufacturing plants.

Mapei's consolidated turnover reached €4.2 billion in 2023 (+5.2%), with 96 subsidiaries in 57 countries and 93 plants.

An industrial-chemist CEO kept product innovation at the core of expansion.

Local subsidiaries and plants let Mapei serve construction markets worldwide.

Long-term family ownership allowed patient international build-out.

A second generation can keep a family firm's R&D soul while scaling internationally; specialty chemicals reward patience.

The third generation continues the growth strategy, adding acquisitions across Europe and the Americas and keeping Mapei family-controlled.