ABOUT
COMPANY
UniFor began manufacturing office furniture in 1969.
From that time forward its production has continued to develop along a path that has earned the company its place as one of the main protagonists of five important decades in the history of Italian design. Collaborating over the years with prestigious, internationally renowned architects, both for the realization of new products and for the constant improvement of lines already in production, UniFor has made significant contributions to the success of the Made in Italy brand.
HISTORY
OUR HISTORY
UniFor. 50 years of design
When UniFor began its new adventure in the early 1970s, Molteni&C was already a well-established company, possessing over a quarter of a century of experience, with its headquarters in Giussano, in close proximity to Milan.
The man at the helm, Angelo Molteni, had successfully transformed an artisanal operation into a large industrial manufacturing company reaching leading positions in the furniture markets of Italy and the world. In a constantly evolving market in which everything began to move very quickly, and in reaction to his own business, which was undergoing rapid transformation, Angelo understood that office furniture was the future: open-space planning was changing how people worked and the industry needed to find an effective and immediate response to the needs and requirements of office workers
1969
After revealing the company Casaluci Rovellasca, Angelo Molteni founds UniFor M3, which goes on to become UniFor in 1974.
The company is led by engineer Piero Molteni, Angelo's second son.
1970
UniFor starts producing and distributing the Modulo3 System. An iconic piece of corporate organization, designed by Bob Noorda and Franco Mirenzi.
1973
Michele Casaluci, Luca Meda, Franco Mirenzi and Richard Sapper design Misura, a system that adapts the materials, colors and combinations of Modulo3. Its components permit the organization of single traditional cells as well as large open spaces. In 1986, the Misura ST system is presented, a new system aimed at updating and enriching the previous one.
1974
UniFor begins the construction of its new headquarters in Turate (Como). The architectural project is entrusted to Angelo Mangiarotti.
1975
UniFor enters the world of Contract: IBM America orders 1300 Modulo3 desks for its office headquarters in Mount Pleasant, New York.
1978
UniFor France, the first foreign subsidiary, is born. The following year the central showroom in Rue de Saint Pere 6 is opened. The architectural project will be entrusted to Afra and Tobia Scarpa.
The 80's
After years of successful growth and expansion, UniFor continues to establish itself as a global industry leader. New overseas subsidiaries are opened in Australia and America. Communications also began to develop, with Pierluigi Cerri being chosen as Art Director.
1986
UniFor develops the s180 iSaltelliti. A line of cutting-edge desks which are adjustable in height. They go straight into production as standard products. Over the years, the s50 and s1000 models will be developed and, in 2018, the s200 model.
1989
UniFor entrusts Richard Sapper with a research project aimed at rekindling the 18th century Secretaire. This is how Secretaire was born, an object from the past that incorporates modern day needs.
1990
Progetto 25 by Luca Meda is one of the first partition systems developed by UniFor: an equipped wall that collects and distributes cabling and is able to organize and offer hierarchy to spaces.
1994
Jean Nouvel designs the Fondation Cartier in Paris, with UniFor creating the furniture. This is how the Less series was born, an icon in the world of design. In the following years, UniFor increases the series of desks, proposing new finishes and a bookcase. Aldo Rossi designed the spaces of the Bonnefanten museum in Maastricht. This is how the Cartesio bookcase and the Museo chair were born.
The Consiglio table, created in 1991 for Aldo Rossi's studio in Milan, will also be displayed inside the museum. Presented at EIMU '93, as a system for prestigious office space, Naòs went into production and was updated with new proposals and finishes, which were able to successfully incorporate the evolving use of office space. In 2010, the system was improved with modular aluminum bookcases. Compasso d'oro ADI XVII edition Coordinated image UniFor - Pierluigi Cerri
1996
Luciano Pagani and Angelo Perversi design the modular Flipper tables, created for dynamic environments and allowing for various different uses. Flipper is born in symbiosis with Move workstations, which complete it from a functional point of view. The system was later updated with new finishes, colors, and divider panels, as well as the ability to adjust the height of the work surface.
1998
Compasso d'oro ADI XVIII edition Move/Flipper Luciano Pagani Angelo Perversi.
THE 00's
Alvaro Siza designs for the first time the table Régua for an exhibition at the Basilica Palladiana in Vicenza in 1999, of which UniFor is Technical Sponsor. The exhibition was a huge success and traveled to other locations, prompting the creation of new variations, together with a bookcase that Siza decided to use for other projects. Both the table and the bookcase were put into production, defining the idea of the office according to Álvaro Siza: a simple, functional, and domestic space to work in.
2002
Parisian designer Andrèe Putman designs with UniFor the Parete AP.
2003
Naòs System was created to define new work scenarios and organize simple, clean line environments where the widespread use of technology is not intrusive. The system, designed by Studio Cerri & Associati, is expressed in three products: the conference table, the task table and the library table. A line of individual desks conceived for managerial staff, executive offices, and small meeting rooms, completes the system
FEATURES
COMMITMENT TO ARCHITECTURE
UniFor was born with a precise vocation: to create interior landscapes that interpret and translate into reality the indications of its clients and those of contemporary architects. This commitment has involved the transfer of the artisanal culture of the wood-working district of Brianza, in northern Italy, based on close collaboration between industry and designer, to the international sphere, leading to the development of an organic and coordinated approach to furnishing public and private spaces according to their unique identities.
RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND ELEVATED PRODUCTION FLEXIBILITY
Specialized in large-scale projects, with an all-embracing international presence and a close collaborative relationship with the most prestigious architectural firms, UniFor has operated since the very beginning (1969) as a factory workshop at the disposal of the best creative talents.
PEOPLE AND WORK ENVIRONMENTS
Flexibility, comfort, safety, and the provision of an office environment that fosters mental and physical well-being—also through a judicious and non-invasive use of technology—are the fundamental aspects of UniFor’s research and development program. Potential users and their surroundings are consistently placed at the center of every innovative effort.
MADE IN ITALY PRODUCTS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY
Production is based on advanced industrial design components in terms of both aesthetics and function. Entirely designed and manufactured in Italy, and certified for work environments throughout the world, UniFor’s office furnishing systems are made with extremely high quality materials and finishes, characterized by excellent technical performance, safety standards and durability.
DESIGN ESSENTIALITY, STREAMLINED ASSEMBLY AND MAXIMUM FUNCTIONALITY
UniFor responds to the complexity of the contemporary workplace with an ample range of furnishings and partition systems aimed at refined simplification. Innovative in terms of form, technology and product type, UniFor products are developed using sophisticated technologies that ensure functionality, comfort and convenience. By reducing every project to its essence, UniFor is able to create solutions that perfectly interpret the original ideas of the designer.
SERIES PRODUCTS AND CUSTOM WORKS
UniFor products are standardized where possible, and made-to-measure where required. UniFor has the expertise and availability to develop and manufacture personalized solutions, capable of satisfying specific project requirements.
DESIGNERS
ALL DESIGNERS
- David Chipperfield
- Dante Bonuccelli
- Rodolfo Dordoni
- Luca Meda
- Jean Nouvel
Pierluigi Cerri
