Mohawk Industries’ chairman and chief executive officer Jeff Lorberbaum was recently awarded the 2017 Leonardo International Prize by Italian President Sergio Mattarella during a ceremony at Rome’s Quirinal Palace.
Awarded annually by Italy’s Leonardo Committee, the Leonardo International Prize spotlights individuals who have distinguished themselves by facilitating cultural and business partnerships between their native countries and Italy.
In 2013, Mohawk Industries acquired the Marazzi Group, one of the leading international Italian-based ceramic manufacturers. During the past four years, the company has invested substantially in technology to create innovative products and expand production capacity at Marazzi’s three Italian facilities.
The award highlighted Mohawk Industries as “an example of how foreign investments can strengthen international competitiveness and the innovation of Italian companies.”
Comprised of more than 160 individuals including entrepreneurs, artists, scientists and cultural leaders, the Leonardo Committee was established in 1993 by Confindustria and ICE (the Italian Trade Agency) with the goal of advancing and affirming the virtues of Italian culture and manufacturing throughout the world.