Kartell

Kartell are an Italian manufacturer of office furniture, accessories and labware specialising in the use of plastics. Founded by a chemical engineer Giulio Castelli in 1949 the Company’s early days were spent producing plastic car accessories and labware. It was in the laboratory products that Kartell first gained success with its push to replace laboratory glassware with equivalent plastic alternatives which were cheaper and more durable. Kartell embraced Italy’s international success in te 60’s when the "Mare in Italy" ethos represented the best the interior design trends. Moving towards the contract and office furniture markets Kartell collaborated with successful European designer such as Alberto Meda, Philippe Starke, and Pierro Lussini which opened up the export market. Today Kartell’s products are distributed in over 90 countries. There is a separate labware division which makes around a third of the sales. The Habitat division provides contract and office furniture including office chairs, conference tables and conference chairs always with plastic as the main component of manufacture.