By Will Burgess

Milan, Italy — Pirelli kicked off a year of celebrations from their headquarters in Milan, Italy last week in honor of its founding, 150 years ago in January 1872.

Known not only as an innovator in tire technology, Pirelli is a company that is as provocative as its annual trade calendars (with the 2022 sesquicentennial calendars already on the way), and even moreso recognized as the preeminent performance tire brand, whether outfitted on Italian supercars or as the official tire supplier of the Superbike World Championship.

The festivities commenced with recognition from the Italian government in Rome.

“It was a great honor for me and for us all to have been received by President Mattarella on the eve of the 150th anniversary,” said Marco Tronchetti Provera, the company’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, as he and a delegation of Pirelli executives met at the capital with President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella.
“[It is] a company I am proud to lead and which focuses on the future every day, laying the foundations for the celebration of still many years of growth”

Pirelli plans to be host to several more anniversary events in the coming year, including a forthcoming exhibit in the United States, at Savoy Automobile Museum in Cartersville, GA, which will feature a display honoring their 150 years of automobile heritage.

Cover: The original Pirelli factory as it looked nearly 150 years ago | Pirelli.com

Will Burgess is a journalist with Adrenaline Powersports Mag