Montina Biography
In 1919 the Montina brothers, in an area tormented by the First World War characterized by destroyed factories and stopped industries, founded the Montina company. Giovanni Battista, director, Pierceleste, sales manager, and Erminio, production manager, initially committed themselves to the marketing of a production district on its knees, but Montina soon transformed from a commercial company to a production industry. Montina moves to a larger space, where workers can work more easily. The first collection is launched, consisting of 24 models ranging from Viennese style chairs to curved jacket racks. Exports begin immediately, using the logistics centers in Tunis and Malta for non-European exports. Montina participates in the Milan Trade Fair, during which Prince Umberto of Savoy has the opportunity to admire the products on display and express his admiration. In 1934 Montina products were on sale in prestigious shops such as Rinascente in Milan, Jelmoli in Zurich and Innovation in Lausanne. They are chosen by important hotel groups, such as Ciga Hotels, and by prestigious hotels such as the Grand Hotel in Rome or the Danieli in Venice to furnish lounge areas, restaurant spaces and rooms. Montina supplies clothes racks to the International Sleeping Car Company. The production site is moved to Dolegnano: 4,000 uncovered square meters and 800 covered meters become the center of creativity and marketing of Montina products. In 1938 the first international patents were registered: the deck chair, the coat hanger and the camping cot were the first products to be registered. In 1948 the second Montina generation joined the company. Silvano allows a leap in quality both from an organizational and business point of view, bringing the company to New York City, Cologne and Paris. The Salone del Mobile in Milan was born in 1961, and Silvano Montina was one of the 13 founders together with other famous entrepreneurs in the furniture sector such as Franco Cassina and Angelo Molteni. In 1987 the Masarotti family took over ownership of the company. The legacy of the Montina family comes to an end and the Masarotti family undertakes on the one hand to re-edit the products that have made the history of the company, and on the other to consolidate its presence at an international level. Among the supplies of this period are British Airways, important supplies to resorts and yachts. Ettore Sottsass and Eno Mari design for Montina. In the 90s the production plants became a real research center for young international designers. The most advanced woodworking technologies are studied to introduce products of ever greater quality and beauty onto the market. In 2000 the investment in research manifests itself in new collections with decidedly contemporary shapes, which focus more on the home than on the contract sector.
