The Vitale Fireworks Manufacturing Company was founded in New Castle, Pennsylvania by Italian immigrant, Constantino Vitale (1876-1949) in 1922. It became a family business as his four sons and one of his sons-in-law joined him in the management and operation of the company. Competition was fierce in New Castle, which was home to several fireworks companies, but Vitale’s soon proved itself to be a viable concern despite an accident that resulted in the deaths of Constantino’s oldest son and a nephew. Reform came to the industry in 1930 when the government required fireworks plants to be remodeled and rebuilt to prevent accidents. Vitale’s new plant covered thirty acres and had over twenty magazines. During the Second World War, the company made flares, rocket boosters, and loaded shells and was awarded for its effort by the Army and Navy.

The immediate post-war era saw some management changes was one brother, Rocco Vitale, Sr. (1910-1977) bought out his other two brothers. Constantino Vitale, the founder, passed away two years later in 1949. When Rocco Sr. retired in 1976, his son, Rocco Vitale, Jr. (1934-2000) took over the company who in turn sold it to his son, Steve Vitale, and two of his son’s friends when he retired in 1993. The company was reorganized and now does business as Pyrotecnico FX. It has expanded its offerings to include aerial fireworks, close proximity fireworks, indoor pyrotechnics and laser light effects as well as less intense services like flames, fog, and confetti. The company has also grown to become a national company with over a dozen regional offices.