Italy

1467: The first monte di pieta (nonprofit bank), designed to end usury by providing low interest loans, is created.

1526: The Beretta forge receives its earliest known contract.

Founded in Trieste in 1831, Assicurazioni Generali SpA is the largest insurance company in Italy and the fifth-largest…

Marzotto S.p.A.

Stock Index: Milan Rome Florence Genoa Turin Trieste Riunione Adriatica di Sicurt&agave (RAS), the second-largest…

Martini & Rossi SpA has been producing its world-famous vermouth for nearly 150 years.

Long a single-product company, Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A.

Stock Index: Milan Credito Italiano is one of Italy's three "banks of national interest." Its principal shareholder is…

Pirelli S.p.A.

One of the world's largest food marketers, Barilla G.

Bulgari S.p.A.

Piaggio & C.

Stock Index: Milan Genoa Rome Turin Banca Commerciale Italiana (BCI) is one of the largest banks in Italy.

One of the premier professional soccer clubs in the world, Juventus F.C.

Alleanza Assicurazioni S.p.A.

Perfetti Van Melle S.p.A.

Società Sportiva Lazio SpA (SS Lazio) is the corporation behind one of Italy's oldest soccer teams, the first Italian…

Multi-faceted De'Longhi S.p.A.

Fiat SpA, one of Europe's largest companies, is perhaps best known as a manufacturer of automobiles.

Olivetti S.p.A.

Alfa Romeo is one of the most famous sports cars in the world, along with Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati, Corvette,…

Ermenegildo Zegna SpA is the world's leading luxury men's suit maker.

Late 1980s:Battle for control of Mondadori begins between De Benedetti and Berlusconi.

Banca Nazionale del Lavoro SpA (BNL) is Italy's fifth-largest bank and one of the top 100 banks in the world with total…

Rinascente S.p.A.

Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A.

Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.

Early 1980s:[fsps*2.5]SNIA BPD S.p.A.

A Maserati sports car is one of the few automobiles in the world that immediately evokes images of wealth and prestige.

Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A.

Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale S.p.A.

Stock Index: Milan London Munich Frankfurt Düsseldorf In 1991 telecommunications underwent a renaissance in Italy, in…

Based in Italy, Gruppo Coin S.p.A.

Safilo SpA is one of the world's leading manufacturers of eyeglasses and sunglasses, as well as other goods for the…

Mini-conglomerate Industrie Zignago Santa Margherita S.p.A.

Brioni Roman Style S.p.A.

Alitalia-Linee Aeree Italiana, S.p.A is the national airline of Italy.

Compagnia Italiana dei Jolly Hotels S.p.A.

ENI S.p.A., the former Italian state-owned Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi, is one of the world's top ten oil and natural…

With an estimated two percent of the global market for leather furniture, Industrie Natuzzi S.p.A.

Stefanel SpA is an Italian clothing designer, manufacturer, and retailer, producing fashions for the men's and women's…

Early 1960s:Ford agrees to purchase the company but the deal falls apart.

Luxottica SpA is the world's largest manufacturer of eyeglass frames and sunglasses, and is also one of the world's…

Marcolin S.p.A.

Parma, Italy, is not only the home of fine Italian cheese and ham, but also Parmalat Finanziaria SpA, a diversified,…

Cantine Giorgio Lungarotti S.R.L.

Ente Nazionale per l'Energia Elettrica (ENEL) is the National Electricity Authority of Italy.

Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A.

Benetton Group S.p.A.

Cremonini S.p.A.

Montedison S.p.A.

Milan-based Reno de Medici S.p.A.

Banca Fideuram SpA is Italy's leading assets management and investment banking group, with more than EUR 58 billion in…

Giorgio Armani S.p.A.

Autogrill SpA is the world's leading operator of travel restaurant facilities.

Headquartered in a Milanese palazzo, Gianni Versace SpA is second only to rival house Giorgio Armani among Italy's…

Based in the small village of Molvena in the north of Italy, Diesel SpA is one of Europe's top manufacturers of…

With revenues quadrupling from 1992 to 1995, Italy's Aprilia SpA is Europe's fastest growing motorcycle maker.

Dolce & Gabbana SpA cuts an independent swath in the international fashion scene.

Holding company Mediolanum S.p.A.

1539: Monte di Pietà di Roma is founded.

Mediaset SpA is Italy's most important privately owned communications and broadcasting group and one of the largest in…

Telecom Italia Mobile S.p.A., or TIM, is not only Italy's leading mobile communications company--with more than 26…

Italy's Tiscali SpA is leading the race for dominance of the European Internet access market.

1539: The Sacro Monte di Pieta is founded.

Banca Intesa SpA has merged its way into the position of Italy's top commercial bank, with total assets topping EUR 260…