PASSION, CREATIVITY, QUALITY
Bongio was born from the intuition of its founder Mario Bongio, who in 1936 opened a small workshop in Alzo di Pella, on the shores of Lake Orta.
From the very start the company chose the path of innovation, quality and design that have constituted its creative DNA, capable of combining functionality, style, technology and artisan attention to detail.
Faithful to the spirit of its founder, Bongio has evolved under the guidance of his son Antonio Bongio to become over time a flagship brand of Made in Italy worldwide, with iconic products and hundreds of prestigious installations.
The Origins
1936 — 1960
1936
Mario Bongio, the founder
Mario Bongio, with a friend and a Fiat 509 car, began his business of marketing tap products based in Alzo, his hometown, on the shores of Lake Orta. With the Second World War, Mario was called to arms. After the war he resumed his work as a business agent, remaining the link between those who produce and those who buy.
1947
Start of own production
Mario Bongio began producing brass bathroom accessories and, observing an eggshell broken in half, found the inspiration to design the "Oliva" series. In Milan he had the moulds made for this series, which would characterise production for many years, becoming an iconic collection.
1950
Marriage to Piera Bacchi
Mario Bongio married Piera Bacchi from Pettenasco in Alzo, who from that moment became an irreplaceable collaborator in the company. Within a few months the first workers were hired, and gradually more were added as the workload progressively increased.
1955
First Mario Bongio catalogue
The products were of the highest quality, with refined design and materials that combined perfectly with the beauty of the famous Murano glass, without sacrificing functionality. It was therefore decided from the outset to produce the first product catalogue.
The Growth
1961 — 1978
1957
Construction of new factory
The Alzo premises became insufficient: the various production stages were spread across seven locations. Mario Bongio purchased land in the Raveglia area of San Maurizio d’Opaglio and built the first 20 × 72 metre warehouse. Grinding, deburring, polishing and smoothing now formed part of a single production process.
1961
The new logo and automatic machines
Mario Bongio studied, designed and built no fewer than seven automatic machines, patenting them, for the "Murano" accessories series. With the construction of the new factory, the new logo was also selected and designed, remaining in use until the 1990s. The logo and the factory were in perfect harmony with the form of Bongio furnishing objects.
1965
Expansion to 6,000 sqm
The need to expand production spaces led to the construction of additional warehouses, reaching a total area of 6,000 sqm — a testament to the success of Bongio products in Italy and worldwide.
1978
Floreo — rethinking the bathroom from scratch
With Floreo, Mario Bongio reimagined all bathroom accessories from scratch. Designed by Mario Augusto Ragusa, it consisted of a vertical supporting structure carrying the complete range of traditional and non-traditional bathroom accessories. A revolutionary project for its time.
The Evolution
1979 — 1999
1979
Antonio Bongio joins the company
Mario’s son Antonio, after his marriage, joined the company to support his parents in its management. It was he who decided to transform production by creating series of sanitary taps, both traditional and mixer, coordinated with bathroom accessories.
1980
MAC 1 — Energy saving revolution
The MAC 1 revolutionised the concept of showering and energy saving as early as the 1980s. Thanks to a spherical compass joint and knurled ring, it allowed directional and gradual flow adjustment, enabling the user to suspend water delivery without altering the temperature mix.
1986
50 years of Bongio
Mario Bongio celebrated half a century of industrial activity in the sanitary ware sector, always among the industry’s leading companies. Owners, workforce and collaborators were proud, as few companies in Europe could boast such a record.
1995
Kitchen Collection — Mirò and Comet
Designer Marco Poletti encapsulated the simplicity of kitchen taps and furnishings in two series: Mirò and Comet. They were a true success in the 1990s, found in many kitchens around the world. The beginning of a historic collaboration between Bongio and Poletti.
Design and the World
2000 — 2015
2000
The Bongio® brand is born
Bongio becomes an international icon of design and boundless passion. The brand establishes itself with a new visual identity that encapsulates nearly a century of excellence in Italian tap making. Authentic Italian Creativity since 1936.
2006
ACQUAVIVA — Bongio Patent
A passion for pure things, the emotion of forms born from nature. Some call it a tap; for Bongio it is always a project. A product with an unmistakable design, imitated by all. Design: Antonio Bongio and Marco Poletti. Bongio® Patent.
2007
Factory renovation
The new Bongio headquarters was designed by architect Marco Poletti. It includes both offices and a showroom, aiming to embrace the exclusive surrounding panorama, where light through the large glass walls marks the rhythm of the day.
2008
I LOVE WATER — Bongio & AMREF
Bongio promotes the I LOVE WATER® initiative, raising awareness of the culture of water conservation as a fundamental resource. In collaboration with AMREF, water projects bring clean water to Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Clean water means life.
2010
Swarovski® Elements
Thanks to the care for design and sophisticated technologies, Bongio collections are enriched with Swarovski® elements. The precious crystal emerges from the metal of the handles, creating stylistic marks that become decoration.
2012
Alessandra Bongio — third generation
Antonio’s daughter Alessandra joined the company after earning her degree in Business Economics from the Catholic University of Milan. A new generation bringing energy, contemporary vision and the BongioCasa brand: "Where emotions become substance".
2014
TIME 2020 — Designed for the Future
Made entirely from 316 stainless steel, it was created to meet every need in terms of water, energy and cost savings. Life Time Warranty, built to last a lifetime and even that of your children.
Bongio Today
2016 — 2021
2016
80 years of Bongio
Bongio turns 80. Inspired by the creativity and inventiveness that comes from looking at the World. Every day, each day. Eight decades of passion, innovation and excellence in Made in Italy.
2020
EXPO 2020 Dubai
Bongio was present at the Universal Exposition in Dubai, a global showcase of innovation and Italian design. An international stage that confirms Bongio’s positioning among the benchmark brands in the industry.
2021
Imprese Vincenti Award — Intesa Sanpaolo
Mario Bongio srl is among the winners of the third edition of Imprese Vincenti 2021. Intesa Sanpaolo’s project for the promotion of Italian small and medium enterprises awarded Bongio as a "driver of recovery" for the country, recognising its commitment to economic-social and environmental sustainability.
