Pyrotecnico still a family affair
Stephen Vitale, CEO of the largest fireworks company in the United States, works with his brother, sister, daughter and niece.
Yet, the people at Pyrotecnico consider everyone family.
Vitale claimed this intimate culture is a key component of the business’s success. Clients expect not only a show but a team of hardworking professionals that can electrify any scenario.
“It’s important work,” Vitale said. “We help society celebrate.”
The society in question may be as small as Lawrence County fairgoers or as large as the audience for the Super Bowl — the last five Super Bowls, to be exact.
Pyrotecnico, based in Union Township, Lawrence County, not only makes fireworks displays, but owns several smaller companies dedicated to lighting up events. The company and its subsidiaries have worked with Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Chappell Roan and other celebrities. They currently are handling special effects for AC/DC’s international tour.
The company plans to do 3,600 shows for the 2025 season. The cost for a show starts at $5,000 but can be more than 100 times that amount.
“Although we do shows for the world stage, we keep things affordable for our smaller clients,” Vitale said.
Pyrotecnico also illuminates music festivals such as Lollapalooza and Coachella. It provided fireworks for the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday in Washington, D.C., on June 14 and will be assisting with America’s 250th next year.
“We were proud to be the icing on the cake to a wonderful event,” Vitale said of the Flag Day celebration.
Aside from fireworks, the company provides carbon dioxide “smoke,” controlled flames and lasers for live events.
It’s what Vitale calls “telling stories in the sky.”
He said Pyrotecnico creates a sense of joy and magic, noting how a fireworks show can touch on all five senses.
“Almost everyone’s a fan,” he said.
The company recently began doing drone light shows, which allow for complex displays. Vitale compared them to pixels which you can create images with and animate.
“We work hard every day to innovate,” he said.
Though Pyrotecnico was established in Italy in 1898 by Vitale’s great-grandfather, it has had a building in Union Township since 1922.
“We’re proud to call New Castle our roots and we want to be a source of pride for the community,” the CEO said.
Annabelle Chipps is a Slippery Rock University graduate and one of 10 Pittsburgh Media Partnership summer interns. She is serving as an intern with the Butler Eagle and spent five weeks as an intern at the New Castle News, where she wrote this article.
