Farewell to Franco Sordelli

A pioneer and visionary in the optical industry, a man of extreme pragmatism, a simple man in the purest and noblest sense. Franco Sordelli, founder of the eponymous company and an iconic figure in the industry, has passed away.

Friendly, cheerful and always ready to help, Franco Sordelli and his company and family made their mark in the eyewear industry, not only in the Varese region (where home-grown companies in this sector can be counted on one hand), but also in the rest of Italy and abroad. In fact, it is thanks to him that “the Sordelli” (as it is often called today) evolved the way it did, extending beyond Italy and exhibiting at various international trade fairs, becoming a point of reference in the world of plastic processing and specialising in the production and retailing of sunglasses.

Born in 1938, he led his company with fervent enthusiasm from its headquarters in Venegono Inferiore (Varese), surrounded by his closest family, as his wife Arianna and sons Luca and Dino assisted him, but also by his extended family, in terms of all his employees and collaborators who are committed to this family-run business with an international streak. A classic example: for Franco Sordelli, “home” and “workshop” shared the same address, separated only by a green and leafy courtyard.

The company celebrated its one hundredth anniversary in 2021, and is one of the few companies that can boast a continuous presence at MIDO for over 50 editions.