GMM Combines Italian Hospitality with Cutting Edge Technology
Based in Gravellona Toce, Italy – near the shores of the majestic Lake Maggiore and about an hour from Milan – is the production facility for GMM (Gravellona Macchine Marmo), which was founded in September of 1993 by three engineers -- Corrado Franzi, Luigi Guazzoni, and Giovanni Lagostina.
Since its inception, the Italian machine manufacturer has grown its reputation to become synonymous with quality and precision cutting, and a leader in 3-5 axis bridge saws, edge polishers and waterjet machines. GMM, now a part of Biesse Group, has delivered more than 9,000 machines to customers in more than 80 countries.
Biesse Group, an international company that is on the Italian Stock Exchange, was established in 1969. In 2024, the company acquired full capital of GMM.
Each year, GMM is a generous host to those on the Stone Fabricator’s Alliance’s (SFA) Italy Tour, and this year was not any different. The company welcomed the group into its impressive manufacturing facility where all machines are built in-house. After Franzi presented some history on the company and what is instore for the future under the leadership of Biesse, the group had the opportunity to spend time in GMM’s machine showroom – watching the state-of-the-art equipment in operation.
The night before the visit, Franzi and the GMM team treated the SFA to a delicious dinner at Ristorante La Rampolina with the spectacular Lake Maggiore as a backdrop.
“When Corrado from GMM came back to the hotel and spent time with us, I was actually really moved by the warmth and the genuine care he showed,” said Wes Hull of ABC Stone, LLC in Hamilton, MT. “I said to myself, ‘Wow! You know, this is a new friend that I have made, and he will remember me in the future.’ That was a real treat.”
Rick Graff of GSS Fabrication, Inc. in Richland, WA, shared Hull’s sentiments. “Arriving at Hotel Splendid in Baveno was only the beginning of our amazing visit at the picturesque mountain lake town,” he said. “We were treated like family by Corrado and his team to an incredible dinner at La Rampolina at what would be one of the most memorable dinners we enjoyed. The huge thunderstorm that poured down later that evening could hardly be heard over the merriment of everyone enjoying the hospitality of our new family of friends. Our tour the next day showcased the vast array of specialization GMM incorporates into their machines -- both large and small. Our tour stopped at a machine being rebuilt, just like the machine Jimmy has at his shop in New York, and a careful technical explanation was given on the spot about how to replace a major bearing assembly.”
Opening Photo by Jennifer Richinelli
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
.webp?height=200&t=1742496171&width=200 "simplicapital")
