Lino Manfrotto, an Italian photojournalist, began designing light stands, booms, and telescopic rods in the late 1960s. In 1972 Lino Manfrotto met Gilberto Battocchio, a technician working for a Bassano mechanical firm. In 1974, the company introduced its first tripod. The company grew, and in 1986 Manfrotto, already with 6 plants in Bassano, landed in Feltre, in the industrial zone of Villapaiera, establishing 5 plants in the space of two years. Vitec Group Plc. purchased the French company Gitzo in 1992 and the American company Bogen Photo Corp. in 1993. Vitec Group Plc. chose to maintain the separate brands as separate lines in its portfolio. Manfrotto products are distributed in Germany, France, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and United States by Manfrotto Distribution. In Canada, Manfrotto products are distributed by Gentec International.

On Sunday morning, at the age of 80 years, Lino Manfrotto the entrepreneur from Bassano del Grappa – once known as an Italian photojournalist for the local press in Vicenza – has passed away.

I have always been a huge fan of Manfrotto, their tripod plates make so much sense, they live on almost 98% of all my video equipment.

The ability to hot swap a camera from one tripod to another was Manfrottos best achievement in my opinion. Almost everyone I know in the video world has a Manfrotto tripod for video and photographic work.

I take my hat off to Lino who has produced one of the most singularly useful products for filming and photographing over my lifetime in the video and photographic world.