Carmelo Giuffrè named IA 2024 Industry Achievement Award recipient
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA (Aug. 5, 2024) — The Irrigation Association is excited to announce that Carmelo Giuffrè of Irritec USA and Irritec SpA has been named the recipient of the 2024 Industry Achievement Award. This award is the IA’s highest honor and recognizes an individual whose career demonstrates outstanding contributions to the advancement of the irrigation industry.
Carmelo Giuffrè founded Irritec SpA in Italy in 1974 and is currently the CEO of the worldwide company. With a focus on the importance of water saving, sustainability and an investment in research for irrigation innovation, over the last 50 years Giuffrè has been instrumental in growing Irritec from a small handcraft company into a global organization that distributes its products in over 100 countries worldwide. Through his forward-thinking vision and entrepreneurial expertise, Giuffrè has driven significant advancements in the industry, fostering growth and innovation.
“The IA is honored to recognize Carmelo Giuffrè for his outstanding career achievements over the last 50 years,” said IA CEO Natasha Rankin, MBA, CAE. “A visionary in the field, his dedication to the research and development of innovative products and technologies has fueled the growth and success of Irritec. His work has significantly improved irrigation efficiency, promoted the critical importance of water conservation worldwide and driven essential advancements that benefit global agricultural practices and enhance food security.”
Irritec has consistently prioritized the innovation of products designed to introduce efficient irrigation techniques and solutions, with a strong emphasis on climate impact and sustainability. Under Giuffrè’s leadership, the company has expanded its intellectual property portfolio to include 48 patents and 85 trademarks, recognized for delivering quality and efficiency in the industry.
“I’m honored and proud to be nominated for the IA Award, which represents an important recognition of my lifetime of service to irrigation. It is an honor that fills me with pride and for which I thank those who proposed me, and those who have supported me over the years in creating and building our business all around the world,” said Giuffrè. “Irritec has always been committed to developing technology and innovation throughout the world for the correct use of water resources in agriculture and landscapes. This action is based on a sense of responsibility and a deep connection with the territory, Sicily, the region that has seen us grow as a company, teaching us the value of water and the protection of resources and permitting us to spread this method all around the world through our patents, products and continuous innovation in research and development.”
The 2024 IA Awards are sponsored by Hunter | FX Luminaire | Senninger, and all 2024 recipients will be honored at the 2024 Irrigation Show and Education Week in Long Beach, California, Nov. 4-7. More information about this and other IA awards and past recipients can be found at irrigation.org/awards.