LAST YEAR NARDI MADE ITS DEBUT AT MAISON&OBJET, PRESENTING THE KOMODO MODULAR SOFA. TODAY THE COMPANY IS BACK IN PARIS, PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON FRASCA, A BASE FOR CONTRACT TABLES WITH A CENTRAL LEG AND FOUR FEET. ANNA NARDI, CEO OF THE BRAND, AND FLORIANA NARDI, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATION, TELL IFDM ABOUT NEW DEVELOPMENTS FOR 2020 AND FUTURE PROJECTS.

Floriana Nardi

CEO, Director of Marketing & Communication

What are the key characteristics of Nardi?
For 30 years our company has specialized in the design and production of outdoor furniture in resin, of high quality and good design, for the residential and hospitality sectors. Every product has been developed for wellbeing and relaxation, with a chain of production totally Made in Italy with valid ecological practices. Our precise expertise in outdoor furnishings, our ongoing research on functional and aesthetic performance, the focus on design, relations with the territory and our commitment to the environment are the key characteristics of the company.

Komodo by Nardi

Last year, during the event in Paris, you presented the Komodo modular sofa. What are the new developments for 2020?
First of all, we are bringing a new booth concept, already seen at imm cologne, designed to produce as little scrap as possible, with an eye on recycling most of the materials utilized. The open-plan areas are formed by light, natural plants and our outdoor furnishings. The effort to make corporate processes more sustainable is an integral part of our philosophy, and we try to gradually apply it wherever possible, in all our actions. Where new products are concerned, in Paris we are presenting Frasca, a base for contract tables with a central leg and four feet, like an upside-down tree; we are also showing many product upgrades in terms of colors, cushions, variations, etc. The Komodo modular system, for example, fresh off the German Design Award and Good Design Award, offers new colors for the resin structure, as well as new hues and textures for the cushions, and a small table with a glass top. The Trill collection of chairs and stools introduces Rosa Bouquet and gray… all to respond to contemporary decor moods and the needs of the market.

Rio & Trill by Nardi

What are the most important projects on which you are working?
In general terms, our most important project is clearly Regeneration, an industrial program for the regeneration of obsolete plastic furnishings that have been taken off the market. We have already added one product to the catalogue, the Komodo EcoWall modular divider, which according to the results of LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) permits us to considerably reduce environmental impact with respect to the same product in virgin resin. Other new products in regenerated plastic are already in the development phase.

Frasca by Nardi

Anna Nardi

CEO, Sales Director

Komodo by Nardi

What is the value of Maison & Objet and the French market for you?
We took part in M&O for the first time last January. The results were good, but we are still not able to provide precise assessments: in keeping with our usual praxis, we will take stock of the impact after our third year of participation. As for the French market, today it accounts for about 10% of our total sales. We are in a phase of passage, because in France we are reorganizing out sales network, so we are counting on progressive growth over the next 5 years.

Trill collection by Nardi

More and more interior design companies are creating outdoor collections. How can you stand out on such a competitive market?
A big contamination between indoor and outdoor is now under way; the demand for outdoor furnishings has become more sophisticated not only in terms of functional quality but also in terms of taste. The growing desire for open-air living in contact with nature, and the entry on the scene of major interior furniture brands, have to be taken into consideration; but we believe these new players can boost the quality, style and overall level of the sector. This dynamism can be a driving force for very important and positive elements, like innovation, market expansion and environmental sustainability.

Frasca by Nardi

What will be the future of the company in terms of growth? Which are the strategic geographical areas?
In our medium-term strategic plan we have many projects for the next few years. Projects of production (shifting towards the concept of “making people feel good,” including the aspect of respect for the environment), but also of processes. We think the future of our company can be summed up in the word Welfare, both for our clients, with their increasing desire to live in natural, relaxing and ecological settings, and for our employees. As for the markets, in a period of unpredictable and unexpected worldwide geopolitical events it is very hard to make forecasts. This great instability makes it risky to identify areas in which to invest. We will definitely continue our strategy of penetration in Europe, a more stable market and one that is easier to reach, also thanks to logistical factors. There is still much to be done in this area. The other market for which we have great expectations and on which we are working in terms of organization is North America (USA and Canada). We also think there are very good prospects in Asia.