Maller

CBE

Maurizio Sandei

Quality has solid foundations

As a manufacturer of melamine faced panels for the RV and mobile home sectors, Maller has been growing constantly over the past four years: its strength lies in the industrial group to which it belongs, that allows to control the entire production process, starting with wood supplies. Thereby customers are offered not only considerable guarantees, but also good flexibility, as it is possible to meet different requests within a short timeframe

Words Renato Antonini - photo Enrico Bona

Nowadays the procurement of raw materials is strategic, as is the definition of well-conceived furniture at the right price and an Italian company has managed to stand out in this regard, achieving truly astonishing levels of growth. This company is Maller, a leading brand in the manufacturing of melamine faced panels for the RV industry. It can proudly claim almost fifty years of experience, since its market entry in 1973, but the real breakthrough came in 2017, when it was acquired by the Sandei Group, which in this way continued its penetration in the RV sector and gained increasing market shares. “We purchased Maller in 2017 within the expansion programme of our group - the Chairman and owner of the Sandei Group Maurizio Sandei explains - and we have the opportunity to develop the business further. Despite the problems caused by the pandemic, the company has experienced a significant growth and is continuing to do so. We moved into the RV sector thirty-five years ago, with another company of our own, Industria Compensati Colorno, but now we have decided to separate the plywood and melamine productions. We wanted to give Maller a specialised profile by focusing on outstanding workmanship, which could offer our customers an excellent surface finish and a wide range of decoration options in accordance with the highest quality standards”.

The strength of the group

Being part of the Sandei Group allows Maller to provide its customers with extreme reliability and considerable flexibility. It was thanks to Industria Compensati Colorno that the product supply for the RV sector began many years ago. Today, Industria Compensati Colorno has specialized in the manufacturing of supports, while the production of finished products is entrusted to Maller. In its Parma facility, Maller creates melamine faced panels to be used inside of motorhomes, caravans and mobile homes, both for furnishing and wall panels. “Being a member of a group with a direct control on the entire production cycle is what gives strength and value to Maller’s manufacturing - Maller’s General Manager Nicola Di Benedetto explains - from

the purchase of trees to the creation of the finished melamine panel, through the supply of decor paper and various types of supports. Everything takes place within the group and this reassures our customers, while also guaranteeing good reactivity and remarkable flexibility. In the last two years Maller has proved its value not only thanks to the quality of the product, but also for the ability to reach high production levels with an outstanding supply guarantee. This is all supported and optimized by an ISO 9001-2015 (TUV SUD) certified management system”. Maller now supplies almost all RV manufacturers in Europe, and there is every reason for it to keep growing. It has also established its presence on the Australian and New Zealand markets. To continue along the already traced path, Maller is intensifying its production: a new machine will soon be installed for the manufacturing of melamine faced panels, thus providing the company with four production lines. There is a strong synergy between Maller and the two companies of the group manufacturing support panels. In addition to the Italian Industria Compensati Colorno, Xuzhou Hongwei Wood, the Chinese company of the Sandei group, is also particularly active. “Our company in China - Maurizio Sandei explains - works according to European standards: we are able to create a high-quality product that ensures Maller a stable supply of raw materials. It is reassuring that we can make products with alternative woods, not just poplar. New high-quality panels also arrive from China, ready for facing. These thin panels, made of poplar and processed with a special technique, are mainly used to create the lining of walls and ceilings inside the passenger compartment, giving vehicle manufacturers the possibility to adapt to different situations and to work with high tolerances. Our final goal is to be always ready for the supply of panels as well as of valid alternative solutions”.

Different products

Maller’s production for the RV sector is based on the use of melamine faced panels to create interior furnishings, such as wardrobes, chests and hanging cabinets. Multilayer panels made from different kinds of woods, poplar in particular, are mainly used as a support, while finish papers and Arkocell are used for the lining: this ensures a good compromise between resistance, weight and costs. However, numerous alternatives are possible, such as PVC and plastic laminate. For the support, in addition to poplar plywood, Ilomba, Okumè, Ewood, plywood combined with HDF and blockboard with an HDF surface layer can be used. For the companies in the RV sector, Maller continues to be a trusted partner in the quest for new solutions.

Elisabetta Sandei CEO of Maller

Nicola Di Benedetto

The Sandei Group

The industrial group controlled by the Sandei family today owns four production companies, all in the wood sector, but different from each other. Sandei. Founded in 1962, it is one of the main Italian companies committed to the recovery and disposal of wood waste (sawdust, shavings, packaging, crates, pallets, construction waste...). It promotes the green economy thanks to well-structured services for businesses. Industria Compensati Colorno. Active since 1970, it produces various types of wood panels used in the RV sector, in boating and in furnishing. Maller. It was founded in 1973 and currently specialises in melamine faced panels for the RV sector and mobile homes. It also produces semi-finished products for the furniture industry. Xuzhou Hongwei Wood. Established in 2002, it’s the Chinese company of the group. It is focused on wood material solutions for automotive interior panels, furniture and construction.