Maller: a success story that’s turning 50

From 1973 to 2023: half a century of activity for the Italian company engaged in the production of faced panels, 50 years of history that are celebrated with a rebranding activity and participation at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf

An important milestone for Maller, which celebrates its 50th birthday in 2023. A specialist in the production of veneered panels for the RV and mobile home industry, Maller is one of the companies in the Sandei group, and has many benefits from belonging to such a well-structured group.

Maller has had a remarkable growth in the last five years, which is still continuing. It has been able to rely on controlling the entire production process thanks to the other companies in the group which deal with poplar plantations and wood transformation.

Over 60% of Maller’s turnover comes from supplying the RV sector. The company has an impressive history, but there was a noticeably increase in its growth after a big change occurred in 2017. “Our family has been involved in the wood sector for over half a century,” explains Maurizio Sandei, owner and president of all the companies in the Sandei group. “In 2000 we created Industria Compensati Colorno for the production of plywood panels of different thicknesses with veneers of various types to be used as a support for finishing and other transformations. In 2017 we acquired Maller, with the aim of growing it to become the market leader. We took over a company that was still known for its good performance of the past, but that needed a strong renewal. We have invested a lot and continue to do so: between mid2021 and the end of 2022, we invested €3 million to modernize machines, buildings

Words Andrea Cattaneo

and the logistics department. Since 2018, when we started managing sales, Maller has had a growth of 25% per year. We also have plantations: when we started five years ago we planted 40,000 trees, this year we will cultivate 9,000 poplars and the goal is to reach at least 70,000 trees,” added Maurizio Sandei.

The group and the supply chain

The Sandei group began supplying wood to the RV sector many years ago with Industria Compensati Colorno. This company specializes in the production of plywood support panels, of variable thicknesses and types to supply to RV builders.

Maller is responsible for the production of the finished panels and creates faced panels for furnishing elements at the production site in Parma. The synergy between the various companies of the group is fundamental and offers security and continuity of supplies.

Maller’s 50 year anniversary will also be celebrated with a rebranding. “The history of the company is important, but we are now writing a new chapter regarding Maller’s future,” – says Elisabetta Sandei, CEO of Maller. “The new logo is important: it is a spiral that may look like a reel but at the same time an eye, with a style that looks ahead at 360 degrees,” she added.

At the same time, the website www.maller.it will also be redesigned and will highlight the company’s certifications. Maller is ISO9001 and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, all products are certified through analyzes by specialized and accredited external laboratories.

“Clients trust Maller because they know that it is a company that has a supply chain linked to the production of raw materials behind it,” - explains Nicola Di Benedetto, Sales Director of Maller. “In fact, we are not dependent on market fluctuations because we have our own supply chain via the Sandei group. Maller is part of a group that directly controls the entire production cycle: purchase of trees, cultivation of plants, cutting of wood, production of support panels, purchase of decorative paper and, finally, production of faced panels. The company was set up to give real support in critical moments, such as what the RV sector is experiencing now: we can process orders within 24 hours, thanks to the supply chain and the well-stocked raw material warehouse,” he added.

There are four active plants within the Maller production site: three dedicated to veneer application and one to laying CPL laminate. There are also two side-by-side squaring plants, one of which also works in sizing. This allows high performance as the panels are worked with specific technical measurement criteria, something that’s extremely important in the processing of MDF panels for the door sector. The company has a production potential of 9,000 faced panels per day. Maller has invested heavily in the potential and specialization of the machinery. The finishing systems are state-of-the-art machines, which guarantee a high quality of the product and make it possible to manage thicknesses ranging from 1.6 mm to 40 mm. For further refinement, the two main plants have a sanding machine that smooths the panels so that they arrive at the finishing stage perfectly smooth and free of imperfections.

Exhibiting at Düsseldorf

Maller will be present at the 2023 edition of the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf: it will be an opportunity to reaffirm its presence on the European market and make itself known on the international scene. The synergy between the companies of the group will be highlighted at the stand by showing how the group creates a raw panel and then transforms into a veneered panel. “We want to give the company global visibility,” concludes Maurizio Sandei. “We are starting a scouting activity on various markets: United States, South America and Africa. We want to make people understand the wide range of choices we offer to international customers. Before we only produced semi-finished raw wood products, but now we have a large production capacity of quality finished products, which can create strong characteristics for the habitation compartment of the RV. I am delighted to see our panels incorporated into modern and stylish furnishings aboard recreational vehicles. Being part of this supply chain makes us proud,” he continued.