Poggesi

Who we are

During the economic boom of the 1960s, when mass retailing hadn’t developed yet and people used to go shopping either at outdoor markets or local shops, Poggesi developed its own brand identity and gained a foothold on the market all over Tuscany.

After 30 years of activity as an artisan company, winds of change started to blow, so that the Ombrellificio was able to cross Tuscany’s borders. Nevertheless, the company remained a family-run business and it was thanks to the practical know-how of a few employees and workers, that the company products came to be perceived by customers as top-of-the-line products. In 1993 it was thanks to the owners’ intuition that the Ombrellificio progressively stopped producing market stall umbrellas in order to focus on a niche market, that is outdoor umbrellas and parasols for residential and commercial use.

Within the framework of this evolution, through which the Ombrellificio Poggesi was in fact starting from scratch, a concept was developed, which would, with time, revolutionize the idea of cantilever umbrellas.
Standard side-post umbrellas available on the market were equipped with a side-arm installed onto the umbrella canopy: they nevertheless turned out to be too bulky and inelegant from a visual point of view, whenever they had to be closed.
It was furthermore necessary to remove the furniture below, in order to be able to close them: this involved waste of time for businesses like bars and restaurants. A brand new side-post umbrella concept was therefore developed with the support of another senior partner of the Ombrellificio Poggesi, who still represents the creative genius of the company.

According to this new concept, the arm was positioned under the umbrella canopy, this way decreasing its dimensions when closed and, thanks to the addition of a telescopic-adjustment device, there was no need to remove furniture, i.e. chairs and tables: Summer was born.
This extraordinary patented innovation, started a global expansion within the outdoor furniture market, so that the Poggesi brand has become exceptionally well-known on a world-wide scale.
The company started its expansion without ever losing its deep-rooted relationships with its territory. Industrial production processes were developed without ever neglecting handwork as well as meticulous craftsmanship: as from the manufacturing and packaging of canopy up to the preparation of ribs.

During the 90s the company started to gain shares within foreign markets too. The United Kingdom was the first country where Poggesi umbrellas and parasols started to be installed within mansions and elegant homes, pubs and restaurants, till the owners decided to entrust a single partner operating under the name of Poggesi UK with the distribution.
Other European countries were affected by the Poggesi expansion campaign: first of all Germany, where the outdoor furniture sector is extremely widespread, also due to a true passion for outdoor life. Then it was France’s turn, where Poggesi parasols are even displayed near the Triumphal Arch.
In 2016 the opening up of the extremely important US market came about. The same dynamics as the ones developed in the UK took place, but this time at a staggering pace. Just three years were enough for Poggesi USA to achieve incredible results: customers have raved about Poggesi parasols and our units have been displayed throughout Miami. During these years of expansion the Ombrellificio never neglected to take care about its umbrellas and parasols, making efforts to develop substantial improvements to be added to its product range, so as to exceptionally enhance comfort. Furthermore, in order to grant the stability and safety of Poggesi parasols, the Ombrellificio performed wind-load tests, achieving this way a leading position as a cutting-edge company in the field.

Within the framework of this on-going expansion, innovation and modernization process, Ombrellificio Poggesi has also seized the chance to keep pace with fashion trends as regards indoor and outdoor furniture.
Partnerships with professionals in the field, who could convey a design image to Poggesi umbrellas, became increasingly necessary. As a consequence a working partnership has started with Architect Roberto Semprini, that led, in 2017, to the creative development of the Joint model, which was then launched on the occasion of the Salone del Mobile 2018.

Our values

Shade has proven not to be an ordinary concept, since any outdoor area needs to be designed in every single detail.
Our company offers 360-degree custom-design service and all-round solutions, from the first project to the most suitable solution as regards dimensions and models, feasibility site-inspections, installation and after-sales customer care service.

Ombrellificio Poggesi has committed itself to convey its main values:

Tradition
Within today’s dynamic and digital world, Poggesi is able to perfectly combine information technology and a 50-year-old artisan know-how.

Craftsmanship
This is why every single member of our staff feels to be a substantial part of the company, as if each single production phase would be performed in a small traditional workshop.

Selection of raw materials
The establishment of a successful brand name implies an important prerequisite: 90% of the activity has to be aimed at ensuring product quality. The Ombrellificio can boast a careful selection of and an enduring friendship relationship with its suppliers, which are mostly based within the local district.
Quality becomes therefore a way to develop mutual trust relationships, which have enabled the company to achieve a leading position on the market.

Innovation
The Ombrellificio wouldn’t have achieved the present results without this fundamental value. The company devotes many efforts and resources in order to keep its umbrellas and parasols up-to-the-minute.