Anthony Basso and Robert Pietrobon
- the names behind the story.
The Italian nationality plays a significant role in the company’s business model, as the heritage families grew up in cities known for entrepreneurship in product and design. Zaneen [1981] worked alongside sister company Anthony’s Art Design for years, until advancing into a second generation leading lighting provider of customizable and technically advanced solutions.
Robert’s parents Sergio and Pierina Pietrobon immigrated to Toronto in 1952 from Castelfranco, a city and commune in the Veneto region of northern Italy. After 18 months on the northern railroads, Sergio Pietrobon transitioned into the construction industry focusing in on brick-laying and general contracting. This is where Robert spent most of his summers during his youth. Submersing himself into Toronto construction developments; Robert gained appreciation in the elements of architectural design. He learned how to work with architects, read blue prints, and coordinate the materials and labor needed to construct a building.
In 1977 Robert met his future wife, Florence Basso and mentor, Onorino Antonio (Anthony) Basso. The Basso family were from the same region of Veneto as the Pietrobon family roots. Anthony Basso was born in 1927 in a town called Nove di Bassano that was famous for ceramics dating back to the 16th century. The land was rich in clay due to the lowering water levels of the Brenta River. It was only fitting that Anthony’s family owned and operated a ceramic factory ‘P Basso Ceramic’s’ in their hometown. As a learned sculptor and model-maker Anthony had always dreamt of bringing his skills to North America. In the mid 1950’s the Basso’s immigrated to Toronto, where Anthony and his wife Bertilla Zanin built a company called “Anthony’s Art Design”, referred to as Anthony’s, which focused on the manufacturing of table lamps.
Robert Pietrobon, under his father-in-law’s mentorship, gained his love and admiration for the beauty of design in the field of ceramics and lighting. As the company evolved, Robert became Vice President of Anthony’s, and together with his father-in-law, built the company to a national success. In order to compliment and expand their market presence, Robert Pietrobon and Anthony Basso established Zaneen Lighting in 1981. Zaneen’s name stems from Robert’s mother-in-law’s (Bertilla) maiden name, ZANIN. Zaneen Lighting and Anthony’s worked side by side for 18 years, before the two companies separated after the death of Anthony Basso in 1998.
Zaneen Lighting has expanded far beyond its original program of decorative lighting. With Robert’s determination and flexibility to adapt to the ever-changing industry, now Zaneen Group Inc. offers three sectors of lighting solutions: Architectural, Design and Exterior. With over 18 established and exclusive European company partnerships, the Zaneen brand is known across North America as a full service lighting provider. As of 2008, the company was deemed a second generation family owned and operated business as one of Robert’s five children joined Zaneen. Today, all five children are a part of the company; expressing the same pride and ownership in growing Zaneen, just as the original founders, Robert and their late grandfather Anthony.
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