Ticino excellence
Franco Dell'Oro SA is a small Ticino company with a long tradition. The company, which specializes in fittings and equipment for public spaces, has unique expertise in its field, which is also in great demand in Switzerland and even abroad. Meeting with its owner, Daniele De Vecchi.
Mr De Vecchi, could you briefly tell us your company's history?
It all started at the turn of the 50s and 60s when my mentor and teacher Franco Dell'Oro took over his parents' company, who had been marketing equipment for bars and restaurants since the 30s / 40s. The leap comes with the takeover of the exclusive Gaggia, the renowned brand of coffee machines, for the whole of Switzerland. This opened the doors for us beyond the Gotthard and gave us the opportunity to offer our other products throughout the country. That means fittings for public spaces, industrial steel kitchens, bespoke joinery and much more.
And when did you come to the company?
I came to the company in my early twenties in my twenties. I never left and took over after Mr. Dell'Oro passed away in the early 2000s. Since then, I've done nothing but follow the founder's line: the accuracy of Swiss service combined with the quality of Italian furniture and design items, certainly the best in the world. Among these, I can mention well-known brands such as Carimati 1919 that we have a stake in.
It is said that architects value you because you are able to realize any idea from them, even the most creative. What is your secret?
Nothing but the know-how that has accumulated over all the decades in which styles, trends and materials have changed in the hotel and restaurant industry. With a structure that can build everything to measure, we can meet the needs of customers and architects. Our craftsmen can work on any material, be it wood, stone, steel or wrought iron.
Which famous architects have you worked with?
It is my honor to mention, among the many excellent professionals with whom we have worked, Mario Botta, with whom we set up the Parco Saroli restaurant at the headquarters of what was then Banca del Gottardo in Lugano and that of the Tenero National Sports Center and recently too the rooms have established the restaurant of the Fiore di Pietra on Monte Generoso. In addition, we will shortly complete the work on the interior of the new Stalvedro motorway service area, also a Botta project. Another consolidated collaboration exists with the architect Bruno Huber, with whom we founded the restaurant of the Lugano Casino together with the famous interior designer Italo Rota and later the adjoining Restaurant Seven and its disco lounge. We also worked with the architect Huber to furnish several Novotel and Ibis hotels in the Accor chain throughout Switzerland.
Franco Dell'Oro is also very present in Switzerland with prestigious tasks. Can you name one of them?
One recognition that we were very pleased with is the one we received from Migros for setting up some of its restaurants in Zurich, including the one at the cooperative headquarters. The famous American chain Kentuky Fried Chicken (KFC) recently entrusted us with the mandate of general contractor for the furnishing of their restaurants in Lausanne and Bern. We have been present on the other side of the Gotthard for decades, for example we have created several Mövenpick and Marché restaurants. To mention large groups again, we also did some work on the manor house. We recently built the restaurant at Muralto SBB train station, the brand new Caffè Locarno. Without forgetting the LAC in Lugano, where we created the entrance areas, or the Artisa Vip Lounge in the Lugano hockey stadium.
Do you also work abroad
Certainly. The latest creations include the Vanini chocolate and ice cream parlors in Vienna, London, Barcelona and Mallorca. Abroad, however, we work mainly through our subsidiary Carimati, with whom we have created various restaurants and hotels around the world. For example, we founded the Just Cavalli restaurant in Miami, Florida with her and the great interior designer Italo Rota.
Not bad for a small company born in Viganello …
An enormous satisfaction for a small company in Lugano with around ten employees. Today we can say that we are able to carry out types of work ranging from the typical Ticino grotto to the large international fast food chain. And I'll tell you more: There are many private customers who contact us after seeing our installations in public places and entrust us with the furnishing of their houses, from the living area to the bedroom to the kitchen. ■
