LONGARONE, Italy—Ennio De Rigo, chairman of De Rigo S.p.A. has been awarded the honorary title of Cavaliere del Lavoro. On June 2, President Sergio Mattarella presented the honor to 25 Italian entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the national economy on the Festa della Repubblican, a national holiday celebrating the foundation of the Republic of Italy. An official awards ceremony will take place in the fall at the Quirinale, the official residence of the president of the Republic of Italy in Rome.

“I am honored to receive the title,” said De Rigo. “My company has always been like an extension of my family to me, and I am proud to say that, thanks to everyone’s hard work, I have made our name known all over the world, maintaining the values and roots of our family and our community. I firmly believe in the importance of people and relationships, which come first for me. I cannot help sharing this prestigious acknowledgement with all the people who have made my career in business an extraordinary group voyage with the hard work and dedication they put into their work every day.”

In 1978, De Rigo and his brother Walter founded a workshop in the Belluno area making sunglasses and prescription eyewear. That has grown over four decades to become the well-known brand, De Rigo. In the 80s he purchased the historic Lozza eyewear company and launched the Police Lifestyle and Sting brands, inaugurating a new production plant in Longarone in the early 90s, which has since become the official headquarters of the company.

The De Rigo Group serves more than 80 countries with 16 sales offices, four retail divisions and 3,000 employees, with a consolidated turnover of €429.5 million in 2017.