EMU Group

Established in Umbria in 1951, by the 80s and 90s Emu had become a leading company in outdoor furnishing as a result of its legacy of local knowledge and skills in metal working. In 2005, under the leadership of its former Chairman, Riccardo Biscarini, the company was able to begin to target its brand name thanks to the investment fund, L Capital, from the world’s top group for luxury goods LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy). This enabled innovative products to be produced in partnership with some of the successful international designers, without neglecting the company’s core business of classic products.

2011, the year of its 60th anniversary, saw the beginning of a new phase for Emu. In fact, the company finalised its move to the financial group, Fondo Opera, with the ultimate aim of giving a fresh boost to the already expanding company, and at the same time of strengthening company capital. Contrary to recent trends towards decentralisation, production of Emu’s metal furniture is strongly established at the Marsciano plant, which covers 70,000 sq. m. and employs 150 workers. The quality of the furniture is guaranteed by its “made in Italy” production and by its commitment to continual technological research into materials and production techniques. Emu can already claim merit and is highly esteemed throughout the world, yet it is determined to continuously and steadily improve its know-how in the sector of metal processing.

Thanks to the diversification of its lines and its exceptional production capacity, Emu is the only company that covers such an extremely broad market, ranging from large-scale retail to the luxury sector. Their product lines of chairs, tables, loungers, furniture for relaxing, living room sets and accessories are available in a variety of materials, ranging from metal to Emu wicker and Teak Metal, and can fulfil every price and design requirement.

The contract market, a strategic sector within the community for the company, has given rise to international relationships. Many prestigious hotels have in fact chosen Emu to furnish charming terraces and other areas: the Colony Hotel group on the Costa Smeralda, The Gray of the Sina Hotel group and the Park Hyatt in Milan, the Exedra in Rome, the Granducato in Florence, the Hotel dei Dogi in Venice of the Boscolo Hotel group, and the chain of Nh Hotels, to name but a few, are home to the unmistakable taste and Italian style of Emu’s creations. Emu furnishing is also notably present in the Savoy royal palace of Venaria Reale and at the Le Saut du Loup and Ephémère restaurants in Paris.

Distribution provides further evidence of strong company growth with an extensive European network of over 1000 dealers specialized in outdoor furniture. Moreover, thanks to their new designer collections, signed by the most important international designers, such as Arik Levy, Carlo Colombo, Paola Navone, Patricia Urquiola, Jean-Marie Massaud, Christophe Pillet, the company’s products have also been selected by the finest quality shops selling interior furniture. The Chiaramonte-Marin studio has been an important partner for over 15 years in the product development stage, and has recently developed the new Soft Ware fabric collection for Emu. This collection is certainly not lacking in character and will enable Emu products to be “dressed” in top quality fabrics with all the new trends in colours.
The growth in sales and production in recent years bears witness to the great expansion of Emu, which is currently the largest European producer of outdoor metal furniture.

Over the last two years, 2010 marked a significant moment in the re-launch of the company, with a strong rise in its turnover (up by more than 18% compared to the previous year), thus rewarding the company’s experience which identified diversified distribution for the three segments, Design, Contract and Garden, as a winning strategy to overcome the critical state of the world economy and markets.
What is more, the decision to continue production in Italy has also been rewarded, considering the increases in the price of products imported from abroad, especially from Asia, and the consequent drop in the differential cost between European and Asian products. This was confirmed in 2011 during which there was still further growth in the company turnover.

Emu is, therefore, pursuing its previously charted route by paying special attention to the international market in order to strengthen its presence abroad. The company is continuing to consolidate its leadership as an Italian brand which has now been operating and manufacturing in the sector of outdoor furniture for 60 years.