An 80-year story: from a family workshop to custom furnishings for bars, restaurants, hotels and commercial spaces in Italy and around the world.
Eighty years of history are not just a milestone: they are the story of generations who transformed a small village carpentry workshop into an international reference point for custom furnishings in the HoReCa, retail and contract sectors.
It is the story of Groppo Arredamenti: a company that has navigated wars, economic booms, industry crises and technological revolutions, always remaining faithful to a simple yet powerful idea: shaping unique, functional and coherent spaces, designed to meet needs and enhance the experience of those who live in them every day.
The origins of Groppo Arredamenti: wood, work, family
It all began in Sommariva del Bosco, in the post-war period, in the workshop of Giovanni Groppo. At a time when the local carpenter handled everything (furniture, windows, wheelbarrows, rakes and cart wheels). Wood was not just a material, but a craft to be learned day by day, through hands-on work, experience and perseverance.
It is here, in this small family workshop, that his sons Antonio and Giuseppe grew up, quickly learning to recognize the qualities, flaws, limits and potential of each piece of wood. Family is at the center of everything: each person contributes with their own talent, in a balance that would remain a constant throughout the company’s history.
The war interrupted the activity, but not the vocation. At the end of the Second World War, Giovanni reopened the workshop with his sons, bringing the carpentry business back to life and laying the foundations for what would become F.lli Groppo.
From iceboxes to modern refrigeration systems: the first major turning point
Family is the starting point, the heart of the business: and it is precisely from a family insight that the first major shift takes place. Maria, Giovanni’s daughter, worked in Turin for a company distributing American refrigeration systems and suggested her brothers look beyond traditional carpentry: the future lay in refrigerated cabinets that were replacing old iceboxes.
Antonio and Giuseppe seized the opportunity: they converted production, began manufacturing refrigerated cabinets and then the first sales counters and refrigerated display cases for food stores. It was a small revolution: it changed how food was preserved and presented, and with it, the face of retail.
At the same time, bulk pasta sales became more common in grocery stores, and the need for dedicated display solutions grew. Groppo designed modular shelving systems combining functionality, order and display capacity, anticipating one of the company’s defining traits: balancing operational needs with aesthetic quality.
The 1960s: economic boom and the first complete furnishing systems
With the economic boom, cities expanded, and so did the number of commercial businesses. Thanks to advances in refrigeration technology, the offering evolved: alongside traditional refrigerated cabinets came counters, display cases and custom solutions for delicatessens and specialty stores.
F.lli Groppo responded by expanding its structure: alongside carpentry, a department dedicated to stainless steel was introduced, essential for refrigeration components and durable, hygienic counters. In 1960, the new factory was inaugurated, marking the first step toward an industrial scale while maintaining artisanal attention to detail.
During these years, the company introduced its first standardized counter models, such as the “gran luce” model, with refrigerated display cases, side surfaces for scales and slicers, and integrated cold rooms. Solutions combining operational efficiency and customization, in a market beginning to embrace standardization.
The 1970s and the culture of delicatessen counters: new growth opportunities
The 1970s transformed the retail landscape. Self-service spaces spread, and traditional shops responded by focusing on ready-to-eat products and high-value services: the birth of modern delicatessens.
Groppo interpreted this shift with a comprehensive offering: refrigerated counters, shelving, display cases, cladding, lighting and professional equipment. No longer just furnishings, but integrated environments guiding customers through a new purchasing experience.
Many of Turin’s most important delicatessens (Castagno, Musso, Steffanone, Gallo, Baudracco, among the best known) chose Groppo furnishings. The company further expanded its structure, creating a 1,000+ sqm showroom for scales, slicers, coffee machines, professional kitchens and a wide range of equipment, alongside new company offices.
The 1980s and the transition to the second generation
The 1980s were marked by a significant generational transition. The passing of the founding brothers, Antonio in 1982 and Giuseppe in 1986, was both a delicate moment and a phase of renewal.
Giuseppe’s sons took over: Claudio, an engineer, leading the technical department, Livio, an economist, managing administration and operations, and later the youngest, Elio, completing the family team. A new generation with complementary skills, combining artisanal solidity with the ability to interpret market evolution.
During this period, the company continued to grow, investing in technology, processes and industry relationships. Active participation in the Unione Industriale di Cuneo and Federlegno Arredo reflects an increasingly authoritative presence in the sector.
The 1990s: the challenge of large-scale retail and the contract sector
In the 1990s, the commercial landscape changed again: traditional food stores declined under pressure from large-scale retail and shopping centers. Many furnishing companies chose strong standardization, sacrificing flexibility and quality.
Groppo chose a different path: it continued to produce high-quality furnishings with a strong focus on customization, detail and durability. This clear positioning gradually shifted the company toward the contract sector and collaboration with architectural firms.
During these years, Groppo completed projects in prestigious contexts: from the Caffè Florian in Venice to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome, from offices in Frankfurt to Singapore Airport, as well as projects in the banking and insurance sectors. Technical departments were strengthened, computer-aided design was introduced, and special manufacturing processes were developed under the Ideart brand.
At the same time, important collaborations in fashion retail were established, such as with the Vestebene Miroglio Group for My Time and Elena Mirò stores in shopping centers.
The 2000s: expansion into international markets, between export, museums and major brands
With the new millennium, Groppo increasingly looked beyond national borders. The first projects in France paved the way for steady growth in international markets, supported by trade fairs and established partnerships with design studios.
By 2011, over 50% of turnover was already generated abroad, a figure that continued to grow. The company developed a portfolio ranging from kiosks to full beach resorts, from bars and restaurants to concept stores, including major museum installations.
Among the most notable projects are the art gallery of San Paolo fuori le Mura in Rome, the expansion of the Martini Museum in Pessione, the Borsalino Museum, as well as numerous projects for banks and insurance companies.
This was also the period of major collaborations with internationally renowned brands: Eataly, Lavazza, Costadoro, Bolaffi, Paul. Groppo furnishings reached cities such as Washington, Miami and Tokyo, bringing a unique combination of technical expertise and bespoke culture.
The new headquarters and the central role of design in every project
In 2006, the company took a strategic step: acquiring a 15,000 sqm industrial area and building a new facility with modern offices. All operations were gradually moved there, improving efficiency and functionality, while the old plant became storage.
The economic crisis that followed led to an internal reorganization: production was streamlined, while technical and commercial functions were significantly strengthened. Groppo increasingly focused on project coordination, managing a network of selected external workshops and craftsmen to maintain high standards and flexibility.
The company also maintained a strong connection with education: hosting students from technical schools and universities, collaborating with the Politecnico di Torino and Polidesign Milano on courses and seminars dedicated to retail design and new store concepts.
Resilience: the Covid years and the recovery
The Covid-19 pandemic hit the HoReCa sector hard, but Groppo once again demonstrated adaptability and vision. Smart working and structured production shifts were introduced to ensure safety without interrupting service.
Even during the most critical months of 2020, the company met deadlines for key projects, such as three beach resorts in Cannes ready for the summer season. It was a demonstration of organizational strength and responsibility toward partners and clients.
After the emergency phase, the focus on export strengthened further: international markets now account for 75% to 85% of turnover. Groppo consolidated its role as a key player in custom furnishings for hospitality, retail and public spaces, with a strong international outlook.
The third generation takes over: the start of a new growth cycle
In January 2025, another key milestone was reached: the entry of Giuseppe Groppo, third generation, at the helm of the company. This was not only a formal transition but a strategic one, launching a comprehensive renewal of structure, organization and positioning.
Giuseppe leads the company alongside his father Livio and his uncle Elio, in a continuity that blends heritage with future vision. The goal is clear: to equip Groppo Arredamenti for the years ahead with more advanced tools, enhancing the legacy built over eight decades while opening the way to new approaches in design, relationships and service.
80 years of projects, people and spaces to experience
Today, celebrating 80 years of Groppo Arredamenti, the perspective embraces a history made of hundreds of projects and long-standing relationships with clients, architects, suppliers and collaborators, and spaces that still speak of craftsmanship done right.
From Giovanni’s carpentry workshop to international projects, the guiding thread has never changed: listening to the client, interpreting the context, designing custom solutions that combine functionality, aesthetics and durability. Every counter, every display case, every space is the result of this combination of experience, technical expertise and sensitivity to space.