Since 1962
One story, three generations
Gruppo Bardelli S.p.A., known as Altaeco S.p.A. until the end of 2021, was founded in 1962 in Bareggio and moved in 1965 to Vittuone, in the province of Milan, later consolidating around the sites of Cerrione, in the province of Biella, and Oderzo, in the province of Treviso. The company currently has around 170 employees across its head office and two production units. Both production units are the custodians of a historic tradition, technical expertise, operational know-how and outstanding aesthetic creativity. The Group generates 40% of its turnover on the domestic market, while international markets account for over 60% of total turnover across more than 70 countries worldwide.
Since 1962
The art of passing know-how down the generations
The history of Gruppo Bardelli and of the companies that make it up goes back a long way. Even before the parent company was born, Appiani was founded in Treviso in 1873; in 1910 it began producing coloured tiles until, after the Second World War, it brought the famous "Red stoneware" to market. Gabbianelli Ceramiche d'Arte had already started up in Milan in 1939, and in 1968 it created its hand-decoration department. In 1962 Arnaldo Bardelli founded Ceramica Bardelli and only three years later was able to build the historic Vittuone plant.
The 1970s saw strong competition on the market between Appiani, Gabbianelli and Bardelli, while the landscape was further enriched by the founding of Ceramica Vogue in Biella in 1978. In 1982 Arnaldo's three children joined the company, the second generation of the family. There followed years of profound market restructuring and marked changes in the landscape, leading 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 company Vicano.
The year 2000 saw the conclusion of a production rationalisation process down to three plants, while Bardelli S.p.A. became Gruppo Altaeco. It was with a deeply renewed structure that the Ceramica Bardelli brand celebrated its first fifty years in 2012, and in 2022 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 it Bardelli" - Arnaldo Bardelli, 1965
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.
Milestones
- 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
60th Anniversary and renaming to Gruppo Bardelli S.p.A.
Towards the future
Family
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.
Clients
Gruppo Bardelli’s clients include retails, showrooms, distributors, with a particular focus on retailers such as architects, contractors, and interior designers.
SUSTAINABILITY
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.
Products
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.
