“Formidable” Italian furnishings model Zanotta acquired by Cassina

Italian furnishings model Zanotta has been bought by Italian firm Tecno to furnishings model Cassina, which is a part of the US-owned Haworth Life-style Design group. 

Cassina bought Zanotta with the intention of utilising its worldwide distribution community to broaden its attain, however acknowledged that the model retain autonomy over its product vary, which incorporates seminal designs such because the Mazzandro stool by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (above).

“We’ll assure ample operational autonomy to this formidable model in order that it may well proceed its artistic journey via the seek for new expertise and the enhancement of its distinctive product portfolio,” mentioned Cassina CEO Luca Fuso.

“We’ll care for Zanotta and work in direction of producing the best consideration for it to develop worldwide.”

Cassina to assist Zanotta “benefit from its potential”

Zanotta was created in 1954 by Aurelio Zanotta and was initially centered on producing tender furnishings resembling sofas and armchairs, which on the time have been largely made in upholstery workshops.

The model made a reputation for itself within the early Nineteen Seventies when it started to breed iconic items by Italian rationalist architect Giuseppe Terragni such because the Lariana and Follia chairs.

Over the next many years, Zanotta collaborated with the likes of architect Gae Aulenti, Memphis Group founder Ettore Sottsass and avant-garde structure group Superstudio.

In 2017, fellow Italian furnishings firm Tecno grew to become a majority stakeholder within the firm, with the intention of giving each manufacturers higher entry to worldwide markets.

Immediately, Zanotta is offered in 700 shops throughout 50 nations, with additional worldwide enlargement within the works beneath Cassina’s management.

“Following these years of intense work, which have introduced Zanotta again into the highlight, I’m comfortable that this excellent firm can proceed its journey facet by facet with an essential participant like Cassina, who will assist it to benefit from its potential,” mentioned Giuliano Mosconi, the CEO of Tecno/Zanotta group.

Italian manufacturers are persevering with to consolidate to scale up

The transfer is the most recent in a protracted line of consolidations within the Italian furnishings trade.

US workplace furnishings large Haworth Life-style Design beforehand purchased a majority stake in Cassina in addition to a variety of different heritage design manufacturers together with Cappellini and Alias when it acquired Italian furnishings group Poltrona Frau in 2014.

Since then, the Haworth Life-style Design group has expanded to incorporate Italian design model Interni and the Luxurious Residing Group, which produces and distributes the furnishings strains of main luxurious manufacturers together with Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Bentley and Bugatti.

Cappellini artistic director Giulio Cappellini beforehand advised Dezeen that the consolidation had given his model a much-needed benefit internationally.

“It isn’t sufficient to do good merchandise; we want the chance to advertise the merchandise in all places on the earth,” Cappellini mentioned.

“The issue with plenty of Italian firms is that they could be very well-known worldwide, with a lot of merchandise in several artwork museums, however actually they’re too small for the worldwide market.”