"Toffini's high quality magnificent kitchens being created using a distinct, innovative and highly functional Design are redefining the kitchen concept. Alberto Bertamino, Partner of Italy-based Toffini Srl in an interview with Maria R informs that "Toffini's kitchens are made with a new technological version of solid wood i.e blackboard panels which guarantees greater stability and duration compared to a solid wood plank. Moreover, we combine industrial technology with the experience of traditional craftsmen and also the customization requested while working on a project so that each kitchen is unique and reflects the character of those who will use it."
Could you please brief us about the functioning of Toffini Srl, its global presence and important milestones?
Toffini is a young company that has always been oriented to foreign markets. Our ability was to involve under our brand different factories, each one with specific production skills which together will be able and flexible in the supply for different markets. Our kitchens have been sold in USA, Europe, Middle East, and Africa and since last year we started selling our products in India also.
Toffini creates very high quality kitchens with a distinct, innovative and highly functional design, using rare and precious material. We combine industrial technology with the experience of traditional craftsmen to whom we entrust both the finishing of our kitchens and the customization requested by our clients so that each kitchen is unique and reflects the character of those who will use it. We believe that a product of high quality and design must be able to prove its value over time.
Italian brand Toffini is known for its high quality kitchens products Can you please tell us about your innovative offerings and their USPs?
Our best product is totally made in solid wood, blockboard panels are used for carcasses and doors, and we are specialized in exotic and rare natural woods. Usually this kind of quality is used only to produce "classic style" kitchens with very common wood finishes, so our choice makes Toffini a unique Brand that manufactures unique kitchens with a functional and modern design.
What is your technological edge over competitors and Toffini's way to approach for a kitchen design?
As we are well aware that every person has particular needs, tastes, life-styles, priorities and values which are completely different from others and to perceive these differences is the necessary condition for the creation of a project which functions perfectly for each individual client. Moreover, as we are not bound to standard models, the infinite combination of materials leaves full freedom of expression to the individual tastes and needs which characterize each single project. This is the reason that our every kitchen design is always unique, as any customer is.
Recently you have come up with the concept of Extreme Tailored kitchen. Would you please explain your tailor-made kitchen concept?
As I told you that our first step towards approaching the creation of a project is to listen to the client carefully and design a project. After that the design is done and the customer is aware of all the materials, we start the process of the choice of finishes. If the choice is on a natural veneer, we are able to produce the panels and the doors of the kitchen so that the wood grain is continuous all along the kitchen. It's the same process of the choice of the fabric with which the client wants us to sew a dress for his unique kitchen.
We at Toffini use industrial technology to guarantee precision, reliability and efficiency. Moreover, our tailor-made manufacturing technique allows us to propose natural woods displaying the grains which nature herself has designed in different parts of the world. Our clients can thus experience the emotion of being surrounded by authentic wood framed in a modern design.
How do you see the market of Indian Kitchen industry and demand of Italian kitchen in the country?
India is a developing market where high growth is anticipated. We are already doing good business in the country and notice that there is a huge demand for Italian Style kitchens, but the normal distribution system of the European Companies is not economically efficient for the Custom duties and for the delivery timing.
Toffini is planning to set up its assembling unit in India. What is the progress in this regard?
This is our vision for the Indian Market, and we are working in a very straightforward way to have the process settled up within the end of 2014.
How sustainable are your kitchen designs? How can one manage budget constraints when it comes to sustainable design as Indians are quite price-conscious?
The sustainability is not only related to the price increase, it should be quite the opposite to let more people benefit of it. That's why we believe that it will be important to involve local manpower to assemble, to positively impact also on the local economy while reducing the shipping volume and as a natural consequence reducing the price, not affecting at all the original quality and technological advances of the Toffini Kitchens.
While catering to a diverse clientele of different cultures spread across the world; how essential is it to incorporate the local flavor in designs?
If a company is able to be flexible, local flavor and habits can be incorporated also keeping an European style. I believe in the respect of cultures as a system of people values, and a good design must consider the values as basic point to start from.
The word 'ergonomics' has become an inseparable part of the design lexicon; how do you look at 'ergonomic' kitchen and its importance?
If a product itself, the design of an house or of a part of it, is ergonomic, it means that is easy to use with natural movements, and that is translated in comfort but especially in safety.
What are your plans to make your strong presence in the country?
We have a clear picture in a long-term strategy and are currently working towards opening 5 showrooms. Moreover, we are also targeting 15 showrooms in a short-term.
