Kartell

Kartell is an Italian design company based in Noviglio near Milan. Giulio Castelli founded it in 1949, and in 1988 Claudio Luti, Castelli's son-in-law, took over. Kartell is known for furniture and lighting made of plastics and works with designers such as Philippe Starck, Ron Arad, Antonio Citterio and Patricia Urquiola. It describes itself as a family business, with the third generation working in management.

Range

• Chairs and armchairs, among them the transparent polycarbonate chairs La Marie (1999) and Louis Ghost
• Storage such as the Componibili and Mobil systems
• Tables, sofas, lamps, kids' furniture, accessories, and also eyewear, shoes and bags

Positioning

Kartell sells through about 150 flagship stores, 850 Kartell spaces and 1,500 clients worldwide and runs its own museum in Noviglio, founded in 1999. Prices are mid to upper range for plastic furniture. Kartell is Italian and family run, with no non-European parent.