“Even as a boy, I often had the feeling that I would one day achieve something extraordinary in life.”
Gustavo Soresina, FOUNDER OF LIGO ELECTRIC SA
Gustavo Soresina, born in 1924 in Duisburg, Germany, to a working-class family with Italian and German roots, used his bilingual background to start a new life in Milan in 1948.
1 NOVEMBER 1948
“I left Duisburg, Germany, with empty pockets but a heart full of hope on Monday, November 1, 1948. I arrived in Milan early in the morning on Tuesday, November 2, All Souls' Day. Everything was closed, and I had no opportunity to begin my search for work.”
Gustavo Soresina, FOUNDER OF LIGO ELECTRIC SA
After a challenging start, he secured a position at the Milan branch of the German company AEG. Over six years, through hard work and dedicated studies, he laid the foundation for his knowledge in business and management.
5 NOVEMBER 1948
“Having received solid commercial training, it was inevitable that the idea of working for myself would take shape in my mind.”
Gustavo Soresina, FOUNDER OF LIGO ELECTRIC SA
In 1955, without any financial safety net, Gustavo took the courageous step of becoming an entrepreneur. He founded Elettroforniture Soresina, later known as SOREL, from a small basement in Milan. Starting with the import of German Maybaum appliances, the company quickly established a robust commercial network across Italy. A visionary leader, Gustavo had the rare ability to turn opportunities into lasting success through his relentless determination and drive for innovation.
15 JUNE 1955
His wife, Helga, played a pivotal role in the company’s administration, bringing structure and stability. Together, they built the foundations of a legacy that would grow far beyond the walls of their small workshop.