Company Profile · Top Distributors
Calenda S.p.A.
Founded: 1962, by Alberto Calenda
Headquarters: Via Enrico Fermi, 52 — 35030 Veggiano, Padova, Italy
Website: calenda.it
Phone: +39 049 9002727
Email: info@calenda.it
Region: Italy · Northeast (HQ Padova)
Core business: Wholesale and retail distribution of professional hairdressing products across Northeast Italy, with 100+ brands, own-label production and a national B2C e-commerce platform.
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Company Presentation
Calenda S.p.A. was founded in 1962 by Alberto Calenda, a former commercial manager at Standard Oil (Esso), who applied a structured multinational business model to the emerging Italian haircare distribution market. The company built its first customer base across Trentino Alto Adige, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Emilia Romagna, quickly becoming one of the main players in Italian professional haircare distribution.
In 1982 the company passed to Luca Pieragnolo, under whose leadership Calenda became Matrix's largest master distributor in Italy (from 1989), launched its own brand Palco in 2000, and progressively expanded into L'Oréal Professionnel wholesale distribution, retail, training and e-commerce. Today, based in Veggiano (Padua), Calenda is a leading distributor of professional hairdressing products in Northeast Italy, with more than 100 brands in its catalogue and services spanning indirect wholesale, direct salon sales, retail pro-shops and B2C e-commerce via StayTop.
At a Glance
Key People (Founders)
Alberto Calenda
Founder (1962)
Luca Pieragnolo
Owner (since 1982)
Business Activities
Brand Distribution
Portfolio of over 100 professional haircare, styling, tools and accessory brands, including several held on exclusive import or distribution rights for Italy.
Own-Brand Production
Palco, Calenda's proprietary professional haircolor and hairstyle brand, produced and distributed since 2000; also owns the Make Taboo brand.
Indirect Channel (Wholesale)
Supplies sub-distributors and salons across 12 Italian regions (Veneto, Trentino, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardia, Piemonte, Liguria, Emilia Romagna, Toscana, Umbria, Marche, Valle d'Aosta, Sardegna) through sales managers.
Direct Channel (Salons)
Direct salesmen, sales managers and professional advisors serve salons directly across Veneto, Trentino, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Marche, Emilia Romagna and Toscana, including 8 brands held in territorial exclusive.
Retail (Pro-Shop)
5 physical stores (Padova, Trieste, Brescia, Reggio Emilia, Cittadella) selling professional hair, skin and nail products to both trade professionals and private customers.
E-commerce (StayTop)
StayTop, a B2C e-commerce platform launched in 2021, offers 130+ brands across hair, skin, body and nail care nationwide, supported by its own social and magazine content.
Education
In-house Hairstylist Academy, established in 2004 (300 m², renewed and enlarged in 2018), delivering 70+ active courses and around 1,500 hours of training per year, both in Padua and across Italy.
Internal Logistics
7,500 m² mapped warehouse with an automated, multi-level picking organisation (2,300 m² picking area) supporting 24/48h order shipping.
Strengths & Market Position
- 60+ years of continuous operation and family ownership since 1982, with deep-rooted trust from international principals reflected in long-standing exclusive distribution and import mandates.
- Historic strategic partnership with Matrix (Italy's largest master distributor since 1989) and exclusive wholesale agreement with L'Oréal Professionnel in Northeast Italy since 2008.
- Fully integrated 360° distribution model: indirect wholesale, direct salon sales, physical retail and B2C e-commerce, each with dedicated teams and infrastructure.
- Modern, automated 7,500 m² logistics center enabling reliable 24/48h shipping and precise order fulfilment.
- In-house training capability (Hairstylist Academy) that reinforces brand loyalty and technical education for salon partners.
- Own-brand development (Palco since 2000, Make Taboo) providing an additional proprietary revenue stream alongside third-party brand distribution.
- Continued expansion of exclusive import/distribution mandates through 2025–2026, signalling active portfolio growth and openness to new brand partnerships.
House of Brands
Master Distribution / Exclusive Wholesale
Major International Brands
Tools, Equipment & Accessories
Italian & International Care Brands
Barber & Grooming
Own Brands
Business Overview
Core Territory
Northeast Italy (Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Emilia Romagna), with expanding coverage across Lombardia, Piemonte, Liguria, Toscana, Umbria, Marche, Valle d'Aosta and Sardegna.
Sales Channels
Indirect wholesale to sub-distributors, direct salon sales, 5 professional retail pro-shops, and StayTop, a nationwide B2C e-commerce platform with 130+ brands.
Customer Base
Wholesalers, professional hair salons, estheticians and end consumers, supported by dedicated sales managers, direct salesmen and professional advisors.
Company Milestones
Note: Curated selection of the most prominent brands among 100+ — full roster should be confirmed directly with Calenda.