One story, three generations
The Bardelli S.p.A. Group, until the end of 2021 Altaeco S.p.A., was founded in 1962 in Bareggio and was transferred in 1965 to the headquarters in Vittuone in the province of Milan and then consolidated and structured in the offices of Cerrione, in the province of Biella and Oderzo, in province of Treviso. The company currently has around 170 collaborators between the headquarters and the two production units. The two production units are custodians of a historical tradition, technical expertise, operational know-how and leading aesthetic creativity. The Group generates 40% of its turnover on the national market, while international markets represent over 60% of its total turnover in over 70 countries around the world.
SINCE 1962
The art of passing down your know-how between generations
The history of the Bardelli Group and the companies that compose it starts from afar. Even before the birth of the parent company, the Appiani company was founded in Treviso in 1873 and started producing colored tiles in 1910 until, after the Second World War, it offered the famous “Gres” on the market. red”. But already in 1939 the activity of Gabbianelli Ceramiche d’Arte had begun in Milan, which saw the creation of the hand decoration department in 1968. In 1962, Arnaldo Bardelli founded Ceramica Bardelli and only three years later he was able to build the historic Vittuone factory. The Seventies saw strong competition on the market between Appiani, Gabbianelli and Bardelli, while the scenario was further enriched with the foundation of Ceramica Vogue in Biella in 1978. 1982 saw the entry into the company of Arnaldo’s three sons, the second generation of the family. Years of profound market restructuring and marked changes in the scenario followed, which led to a new configuration of the Group. In 1992 Bardelli acquired the ICR Group (Appiani) and in 1996 the Gabbianelli-Vogue group and the Florentine Vicano. The year 2000 saw the conclusion of a production rationalization process at three factories, while Bardelli spa became the Altaeco Group. It is with a profoundly renewed team that the Ceramica Bardelli brand can celebrate its first fifty years in 2012 and 2022 will celebrate its 60th anniversary.
2015 – 3RD GENERATION
2015 sees the entry of the third Bardelli generation into the company, a prelude to new initiatives and a new Group vision always with a strong reference to the history and values of the family.
As grandfather Arnaldo stated in 1965 when asked:
“Why did you call La Gres Ceramica Ceramica Bardelli?”
his response, in ironic tones and in Milanese dialect was
“Me ciàm Bardelli e l’ho ciàmà Bardelli” – (My name is Bardelli and I called her Bardelli)
Rediscovering Arnaldo’s words, in 2020 the decision to rename the company from Altaeco S.p.A. to Gruppo Bardelli S.p.A to underline the family’s constant commitment to leading a highly consolidated industrial group by giving space to the entry of the third generation, the family thus becomes a promoter of innovation and change to thus keep pace with a new modern market. Today the Bardelli S.p.a Group is a reference business in the world for the production of ceramic coverings and ceramic mosaics.
1873
Knight Graziano Appiani establishes Appiani Ceramica in Treviso
1910
Appiani launches the production of colored mosaics
1939
Engineer Gabbianelli founded the Ceramica of the same name in Cusano Milanino (MI)
1945
After the Second World War, Appiani began producing the famous Red Porcelain Stoneware
1962
Arnaldo Bardelli establishes Gres Ceramica S.a.S. in Bareggio, in the province of Milan
1965
Arnaldo Bardelli built the first factory in Vittuone (MI) starting industrial production: the company was renamed Ceramica Bardelli S.p.a.
1968
Gabbianelli creates the hand decoration department
1978
A group of Piedmontese entrepreneurs founded Ceramica Vogue
1982
Arnaldo Bardelli’s three sons join the company
1986
Important technological step: transition from slow cycle oven to rapid cycle oven
1992
Bardelli acquires ICR Ceramiche Riunite Industries (including Appiani)
1996
Bardelli acquires three companies: the Gabbianelli-Vogue group and Vicano Firenze
2000
After a long process of production and commercial rationalization (from 6 to 3 factories), Ceramica Bardelli S.p.a. becomes Gruppo Altaeco S.p.a.
2015
Entry into the company of the Third Generation
2022
Bardelli S.p.A. Group 60th Anniversary and Renamed
FAMILY
CLIENTS
SUSTAINABILITY
PRODUCTS
The concept of family is at the heart of the corporate philosophy and expresses all the values of three generations of entrepreneurs who have developed extensive and articulated know-how.
Gruppo Bardelli’s clients include retails, showrooms, distributors, with a particular focus on retailers such as architects, contractors, and interior designers.
The goal of the strategic development plan is to enhance R&D skills, focusing on innovation, reliability, and sustainability, with a customer- centric, consultative approach to service.
The Group positions itself as an Italian company that excels in offering products that complement each other, dynamically and innovatively interpreting and anticipating trends in modern living.
