Assopiuma continues its series of interviews aimed at shedding light on the manufacturing processes and values that all its members operate with. Donato Rendina, owner of Citpiuma, a historical Assopiuma company which has been producing furniture paddings for more than forty years, shares:
When was your company founded and what was its original outlook?
'Citpiuma was born in 1976 as a company specialised in the production of feather paddings for the furniture industry. The goal was immediately to supply a top-quality product and gradually increase loyalty among a high-end clientele. In 1984 Citpiuma joined forces with Prisma for the production of polyurethane foam to be even more competitive in the industry. '
How long have you been members of Assopiuma and what advantages to you still attribute to this 'liaison'?
'We were among the founders of Assopiuma in 1981 and that proved to be a winning strategy. I immediately believed in this association which promotes the knowledge and qualification of natural feather paddings to guarantee our expertise and the requirements of our products which stand out from the other products on the market.'
How has your operating method changed over time?
'Initially it was strictly artisanal work. We filled the cushions by hand, weighing quantities with a scale. Today, thanks to our implementation of increasingly advanced machinery, we can work with higher precision and speed and offer constant standards. We purchase the feathers from Molina (Assopiuma) already washed and sterilized and divided by type. Then we blow them to create the paddings with specific machines that measure quantities and weight so the paddings are all homogenous and perfect.'
What are the key factors that have determined your company's success?
'Professionalism, a design approach, search for maximum quality, attention to detail. Naturally, the entrepreneurial spirit is essential. I, for instance, was the first to have the idea to clad the framework in feathers, a costly operation but an operation that gives the products a better look. And we were also among the first to use cutting machines.'
What type of feathers do you use for your paddings and what products do you make?
'More than 80% of our paddings are made with gold feather (goose feather), the best kind. We make everything, from cushions to the entire seat, finished sofas or armchairs, without upholstery.'
How does your product distinguish itself from the competition's?
'In the past, there was a big difference, today, thanks to the selection of feathers and the new technology, the younger companies associated to Assopiuma have caught up with us. We all make high-level products, but competing with each other is an incentive to continue to do better.'
Who are your clients in Italy and abroad?
'We are a strictly Made in Italy company and we are proud to have always worked only for Italian clients, high-end brands in the design industry who became loyal to us over time with a competent and highly collaborative customized design approach, which is also fuelled by our geographical proximity.'
More information:
Assopiuma
[email protected]
www.assopiuma.org
Citpiuma
[email protected]
www.citpiuma.it