At the age of 43 Giovanni Bertolino, a foreman in a company producing locks for cars, decided to become self-employed. Giobert came into being on September 2, in a small garage in Turin.

The first product was a new pin tumbler lock for the Vespa’s storage compartment supplied to mechanics. The key for the “Code 102” was the first marked Giobert on one side and Torino on the other.

The company became an S.p.A. and completed the handover from Giovanni to Emilio Bertolino, who became the majority shareholder and CEO.

The second plant in Rivoli
In the late 70s Giobert expanded, opening a second plant in Rivoli, where it gradually transferred its engineering and production of semi-finished products.

The launch of the Fiat Uno attested a major achievement for Giobert: the company became the official ‘Tier 1’ supplier for the full set of keys and lock cylinders (both ignition and doors) for a car.

Technological progress led to the introduction of an automated assembly line, meaning higher quality products and enabling automated testing.
In 1988 the Fiat Group adopted the Code W lock on all its models.

The first lock cylinders assembled on a fully automated production line, they offer even greater precision and security.

A decade of research culminated in patenting and producing a new family of key kits dubbed Code DE after the ‘desmodromic’ combination of tumblers and key.

The new products were used on the Lancia Lybra and then extended to all the Fiat Group’s product range. Code DE remains the standard in use today.

With the passing of Emilio Bertolino, his son Paolo took on the position of CEO and majority shareholder. Formerly director of engineering, the current chairman has been in the company since the 80s.

One of Emilio Bertolino’s last projects was to build a new company headquarters. The plant in via Pavia in Rivoli opened in 2005.

In order to be able to supply parts for the key 500, the company decided to open its first plant abroad.

Giobert Polska was the Group’s first international venture.
The start-up of the Gliwice plant was supervised by staff from the headquarters, who organised the new plant’s standards and processes based on those in Italy.

Autumn of 2011 saw the launch of Giobert do Brasil in Jaguariúna in São Paulo state, the country’s main industrial district. Since 2013 the plant has been supplying key kits and opening devices to FCA Group.

The plants in Brazil and Poland represent a change of scale and a great professional opportunity for the entire group.

The launch of the 4th site of the group, the 3rd out of Italy, keeps on and consolidate the multinational and multicultural Giobert vocations.