Variety of brands under one umbrella

The foundations for the group were laid by Paolo Morassutti, who created the basis for a network of retail hardware outlets under his own name in 1895. There were 39 Morassutti branches in Italy during the seventies. Then, over 40 years ago, the Morassutti name became linked to the development of a company that has left its mark on the fixings market in Italy: Fischer Italia.
The latest additions to Plano’s programme: work clothing and protective eyewear.
Combined under the group’s umbrella today can be found Plano Europe, a joint venture with the US Plano Molding Company, and the fully-owned subsidiary Uniflex. What is more, the group secured for itself the exclusive distribution rights in Italy for the products of two fixing specialists, Velcro of the USA (non-permanent closing systems) and Mungo of Switzerland (fastening systems). The Morassutti group’s involvement with Velcro is in the consumer segment.
The year 1932 saw the founding of Plano in Illinois, USA, since which time it has manufactured plastic boxes. It claims to be the first company to have used polypropylene for this purpose. Today the company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of plastic boxes and shelving. Since 1987 Plano has cooperated with the Morassutti group in the manufacture and distribution of its products in Europe. From the very start, great emphasis has always been put on the quality of product development, with regard both to design – where a collaboration with F.A. Porsche is a feature – and to new materials and improved product functionality.
The Morassutti group markets consumer articles by Velcro in Italy.
In addition to plastic storage solutions, Plano also now offers its “Technic Line” of bags, belts, tool holders and accessories made from polyester and targeted at professional users. Currently Plano is promoting its “Manovre” professional clothing and eyewear, which make use of modern materials like Cordura, Teflon, Sirex, Waremotex and Stopice.
The brands produced by Uniflex, another company belonging to the Morassutti group, are also represented in the DIY stores and garden centres of Europe. The range of products available from Uniflex goes all the way from simple watering systems to automatic underground systems, drip systems and a whole series of accessories. These products are marketed under the Uniflex, Celina and Trico-Net brand names.