T
80
he Molteni Group, founded in 1934 by Angelo and
that appears on several ships is the D.151.4 chair by Gio Ponti, with
Giuseppina Molteni in Giussano, Monza Brianza
walnut and brass legs. Architects and designers often choose items
province, is Italy’s largest high-end industrial group
from the Molteni collection to add an extra touch of personality to their
in the furnishings sector offering 100% Italian made
clients’ superyachts. Awareness of sustainability issues is encouraging
products. It was launched as a simple artisanal workshop but soon
the development of new global skills at all levels of the organisation,
became a company. A lot has changed since those early days. The
starting from the development stage of a new product, thinking about
manufacturing is now industrial and international with exceptional
its end-of-life condition and how to recycle its components. Natural
technological innovation and constant investment in research and de-
materials like wood and stone become recoverable in a virtuous cir-
velopment. One thing has remained unchanged – the intrinsic quality
cular economy. Raw and semi-finished materials are mainly sourced
of long-lasting products, a philosophy that three generations of the
from suppliers in the same region as the factory, almost without excep-
Molteni family has worked to uphold. Nowadays the Molteni Group
tion within a radius of 150 km. This provides support for local industry
is an example of entrepreneurial excellence, and it is one of the few
and has a positive impact on pollution generated by transportation.
organisations to implement a complete production cycle, becoming
Since the 1970s the Molteni Group has comprised four brands, each a
the home of expertise and flair in wood, first classic, then modern. In
leader in its own sector - Molteni&C (home furniture), Dada (kitchens),
the late 1950s the company was one of the few to transform its DNA
Unifor (work environment solutions) and Citterio (partitions and of-
and introduce the age of industrial design through collaborations with
fice furnishings). In 2012 the company began re-issuing pieces from
the most prestigious international architecture and design studios.
the archive of Gio Ponti with targeted editions of his works. The year
Quality and durability are what we in the company call our “magnifi-
2015 saw the opening of the Molteni Museum, designed by Jasper
cent obsession”, now also regarded as a contribution to environmental
Morrison, who is also the curator, with image coordination by Studio
sustainability, with long-lasting products that gradually acquire value
Cerri e Associati. The museum hosts 48 iconic products and original
and will one day be passed on future generations as objects to be che-
prototypes by the group’s companies. Molteni is now present in over
rished for their great intrinsic worth. Through its Contract Division
ninety countries with more than 700 sales points, 52 single-brand
Molteni has now applied this emphasis on shape and materials to
Flagship Stores promoting the Molteni philosophy, 973 employees,
cruise ships with custom-made projects created alongside the most
five production sites, fourteen showrooms and eleven commercial
prestigious international architectural studios. One example of a piece
subsidiaries on five continents. www.moltenigroup.com
