Early Life
Alexandre Grendene Bartelle was born on January 2, 1950, in Farroupilha, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He developed a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. He has a twin brother, Pedro Grendene Bartelle, who is his business partner. Bartelle graduated with a bachelor's degree in Law from Universidade de Caxias do Sul.
Rise to Success
In 1971, Alexandre co-founded Grendene with his brother Pedro. The company initially manufactured plastic packaging for wine bottles before transitioning to synthetic footwear. The company's breakthrough came with the popular 'Melissa' line of jelly shoes, which became a global success. Grendene has become the world's largest manufacturer of sandals. He stepped down as CEO in 2013 but remained the company's chairman.
Key Business Strategies
Grendene's success is attributed to its innovative concepts, proprietary technologies, and design, contributing to the company's growth. Grendene is a fully integrated operation with multiple industrial locations and a production capacity of 250 million pairs of shoes per year. The company has a diverse brand portfolio, including Melissa, Rider, Grendha, Ipanema, and others, catering to various consumer segments. Grendene also operates through various sales channels, including its own stores, franchises, and e-commerce, along with exports to various countries.
Philanthropy
Alexandre Grendene Bartelle is known for his philanthropic activities. He has donated funds for the construction of a veterinary hospital in Porto Alegre. In 2019, along with his wife, he donated R$ 40 million for the construction of an emergency care unit in Porto Alegre's Santa Casa hospital.
