The Design is characterized by a linearity of shapes and colors, versatility of offers and a scrupulous cure of materials and finishes, which position Rifra at a high quality level, coherent to tastes and demand of an expert and demanding clientele.
History
Short story of a long journey
Rifra’s history can be divided in a series of significant stages, witnessed in a period of seventy years of activity. The starting point can be represented with Giovanni Rivolta who, in the 30’s, in the industrious Milanese province, starts a small carpentry shop.
1930
Giovanni Rivolta starts his own carpentry business
1945
The end of the second world war; circa two years later, Giovanni, with his brother Emilio, founds the Fratelli Rivolta Company.
1950
Since 1950, Giuseppe Rivolta, first of six Giovanni’s children, starts working, following his father’s steps.
1958
Giovanni was obliged to retreat due to serious health problems and the company changes its name in Rivolta Emilio and grandchildrens SDF.
The production saw small carpentry factures and complete furniture, designed for firms which needed a high quality and accurate execution of the products.
1970
In 1970, RI-FRA (Rivolta Fratelli) was born. In 1977 the headquarters were moved to Gerno di Lesmo (Milan). The acitivity concentrates on the production of shoe racks and in small bath furniture. The production, still in third parties, expands to real and concrete furniture compositions, with different types of Built-in washbasins, wall mirrors and systems of cabinets.
1983
Rifra transforms itself in a self-standing company, which projects, realizes and sells high quality bath furniture
1986
It starts the production of other collections and the implants are boosted with modern linear UV painting, at a high quality.
1992
The collection Gamma was born, characterized by sprayed finishes
1993
Rifra begins his cooperating relationship with Tarciso Colzani and Castiglia Associati.
1995
The UV painting implant is substituted by a last generation robotized implant.
1998
Regent and Zenit, later joined by Fonte
2001
Construction of a new warehouse and a new building for bureaus.
2003
Development of collection Fonte as a system of modular furniture in the bathroom. First participation in the iSaloni Milan Furniture Fair. Founders of the Vivendum consortium (Album, Concept, Lema, Lualdi Porte, Matteograssi, Rifra, Schiffini) with an opening of a showroom in Soho, New York.
2004
Opening the first monobrand Show Room in Lucerne (Switzerland). Collection Modus, the new absolute, design Castiglia Associati.
2005
Status, the first Rifra bathtub, Implementing the lacquer area with a new sander robot and a new lacquer robot. Rifra offers to the market 55 lacquer colors and polished 4 wood venier.
2006
Modus won the prestigious "Home Beautiful Awards" and the "People Choice Awards "in Melbourne Australia. Modus is exposed at Sydney Powerhouse Museum. Presentation of the collection Less, Design Castiglia Associati.
2008
Development sales channel Contract with prestigious high-end projects in international markets. Presentation at the Salone del Mobile in Milan, NEST, FLY and B2K.
2009
Introducing Zero, the program with integrated handles.
2010 and 2012
Intensification of trade fair appearances (Milan, Brussels, Moscow). The factory is modernized with the purchase of new machinery to increase the quality of the product. Presentation of the new general catalog of the company.
2013 and 2014
Presentation of the new Kitchen collections at the Paris fair and at the Salone del Mobile in Milan.
Introduction of new tactile finishes, as cement or clay.
2015 and 2016
Restyling of the brand, birth of the visual with the iconic double island kitchen and the payoff “Kitchen and Baths direct from Milano”, created in the United States by the branding company “Ries&Ries”.
Grand opening of the first store Monobrand in Fiorano Modense (MO), in Italy
2017
Grand opening of the first Monobrand store RiFRA in Milan, in Italy and in Paris, France.
Presentation of the new K.KUBE collection for Bath furniture at the Batibouw fair in Bruxelles.