Nanni Fodde: "Good taste and thrift saved me."
The patriarch of Acentro opens up about his company, his family, and his perspective on 100 years of life. Passionate about art, he never loses his sarcastic wit, and discusses his rough personality and captures the risks of entrepreneurship.Per restare aggiornato entra nel nostro canale Whatsapp
He indulged in "treats, not luxuries." He was "thrifty, not stingy." The patriarch's first roar is an exercise in juxtaposing his self-perception with what "people were saying about me." The glaze of sarcasm shows no signs of aging. But to understand the character and work of Giovanni (Nanni) Fodde, one detail is enough: Mr. Acentro, who sold ten thousand cars a year when the national average was worth a third less, chose everything in his life, even his birthday. August 8th. Under the sign of Leo. It was 1925. A century ago. "But starting from the 5th of the month, any date would be a good one to celebrate a birthday." The founder of three generations of the automobile—if only because "one must hand over the reins without feeling useless"—talks about himself from the meeting room he frequented most. Via Calamattia (once entered from Via dei Valenzani), first floor. Today, 150 employees, nine offices, and a turnover of €140 million. The world outside, paintings inside. "I read more newspapers than books," he says, "and art was my distraction."
How many seasons are there in a hundred years?
"One. For me it's always been work."
Why Fiat?
Having abandoned the sale of Ford tractors, I decided to lend a hand to two collaborators who had been contacted by the Cagliari dealer. The warehouse on Viale Monastir needed to be disposed of; the war had blocked the market. It was during that collaboration that I was offered the opportunity to open my own office.
Where?
"In Senorbì Nord. It was called Auto Trexenta. In Turin, they were careful to make sure dealers didn't take away market share. If it had been up to me, I would have opened in Sanluri, but they resisted from Oristano. At the time, in Senorbì, there was only one road that led out of town."
When does it start with Acentro?
«In the 1950s».
Who chose the name?
"Me. It was the contraction between car and center. It seemed like a good provincial brand to me."
Did he really just work his whole life?
"I also practiced sailing a lot, and I owned boats. Beautiful vintage boats."
What would you have liked to do better?
Experience would make me judge many choices as wrong. I'd even relapse into regret. Only those who stay put don't make mistakes. I've never lacked curiosity; I've had many jobs.
What others?
In Rome, while I was taking some exams in Economics and Business, I sold cork. For cork stoppers and insoles. The cork had remained in the warehouses because of the war. It was yet another of my father's intuitions. He was an exceptional man. His name was Antonio, and he was from Cuglieri. He wrote his business correspondence in Gothic and italic script. He came to Cagliari to continue the olive oil business and married my mother, Delfina Manunza, from Selargius.
Was there more business before?
"Perhaps the competition has become tougher. But I wouldn't say there was more business. Today, as then, you have to be prepared to take on a profession."
Do you have a professional commandment?
«I've always told my colleagues: you have to work in the best interests of your company.»
Was he kind to his employees?
«I got angry when it was necessary».
What is business risk?
"It's a question of age. Exposure to problems occurs more often in youth. Then, with age and experience, one becomes much more practical and less romantic."
What is your relationship with money?
"I don't carry them in my pocket anymore; I'm afraid of losing them. Luckily, they accompany me and take care of me. I've never wasted money, though: I've earned good money, but I've also lost it. People say I'm stingy. But I'll give myself a compliment: I'm thrifty."
He also has a reputation for being rough in character.
"When I was younger, I was more heated. Then I stopped, but now I almost never lose my temper."
Edgy to the point of arrogance?
"Exactly. Good taste has saved me in life, as well as the fact that I've never wasted anything."
But did he spend money on art?
"Art is salvific. I met the painters Pietro Antonio Manca and Ausonio Tanda through a friend from Gallura, a great art critic who headed the regional legal office."
How much do you live on memories?
"Memories help preserve life. I'm losing my memory a little, and I'm worried. But at my age, it happens, and you have to accept it."
Is he a free man?
"Never romantically, because of two wives. Politically, yes, I've always considered myself a liberal. As a young man, I was enthusiastic about rallies: I followed the idols of the moment with interest, like Ciccio Cocco Ortu."
A handshake you never forget?
"I've met so many important people. But the other day a doctor shook my hand warmly: I had the flu and he examined me. I was touched."
From what?
Human relationships are important. I don't seek them out, but when I find them or sense them, I do everything I can to nurture them. I appreciate them.
The brothers Umberto and Giovanni Agnelli?
"I met the first one more often. The second one, the Lawyer, was distant."
A star?
«He was idolized, I witnessed scenes of fanaticism».
His great friends?
"Very few, about ten. Then they start to decline in rank."
Who hangs out most often?
«Today almost only my family».
Was he a good father?
"No, there's better."
How many children does he have?
"Four".
What do you reproach yourself for as a parent?
«I could simply have done more things together with my children».
Did he sacrifice his family for his job?
«I even sacrificed it for something enjoyable, like boating or playing golf.»
It is said that she brought golf to Sardinia.
«I was asked to do it by some friends from the National Federation».
Have you ever experienced poverty?
«No, I've always worked».
Have you ever done anything crazy?
«I happened to chase some novelty at work, making mistakes».
The impression is that he is a perfectionist.
"It's also a form of self-respect, and I've practiced it all my life. I've done everything with passion and a desire for results. I have a memory from my youth, in my father's oil mill: I found a way to reduce the costs of processing raw materials by reselling the waste from the deacidification of the oil."
Have you ever counted the cars sold?
"The few times I've asked myself the question, I think we've reached 100,000. Or maybe it's the next milestone, I'm not sure. In any case, I've been managing, not selling. My son Enrico has been at the helm of Acentro for some time, and more recently my nephew Giovanni joined. However, I continue to defend the company."
Luxuries?
«No one, I have led and continue to lead a modest life».
What's on his wrist?
«A very simple Swatch».
Affair?
«The initials on the shirt».
Using Giovanni or Nanni as the name?
"I don't remember. But I prefer Nanni. It feels more mine, I like that it's short."
Manias?
"We all have so many, especially as we get older we tend to get repetitive. I couldn't name just one."
Relationship with technology?
"None. I'm using my cell phone less and less, too. This one I have costs 45 euros."
The best compliment you've ever received?
"Not one in particular. In our company, work is a daily occurrence. Results arrive every day. Like compliments. Receiving them is certainly good for your health."
What do you see in the new generations?
"You can't say anything when children steal a car, drive around town, and cause the death of a passerby. This is the news these days."
Do you see a bad world?
«I remain cowardly detached, fortunately I don't have problems of this kind».
What worries you most of all?
«A bit of my deafness, another ailment of age, and arthritis».
Had he imagined he would live to be a hundred?
«I started to believe in it after I was ninety».
A regret?
«I'm monotonous: I would have liked to make fewer mistakes at work».
Why this recurring thought about mistakes?
"It's a form of vanity."
Do you consider yourself vain?
«Always have been, even now at one hundred years old».
Is he happy with his life?
«Yes, also because I don't have another one».
How old does he want to be?
"I would not know".
Is one hundred and five enough for you?
"I'll try".
It's lunchtime. Giovanni Fodde rises from his chair. "I'm a little moved. These questions reminded me of so many things about my life." This time, it's his turn to shake hands warmly. At one hundred, one never stops being a gentleman.
Alessandra Carta