The tallest chair in the world

Unbeknownst to you, your 'tuches' may have a very close relation to Italian Friuli.

The tallest chair in the world on view in Udine

Every third chair in the world originates here in Friuli Venezia Giulia, according to Giovanni Masarotti. He is president of Promosedia, the regional organization of chair producers. About 1,000 companies employing 15,000 workers bring 2,500 billion Lire [CONVERT TO US DOLLARS] into the areaís economy, making chair manufacturing the regionís most important industry.

Masarotti, who heads a European Union committee investing in the regionís infrastructure, himself owns two chair factories and employs sixty people. One of them takes only custom orders and is now producing seats for the new cruise ship being built by the Cunard line, partly owned by Israeli interests. The ship, planned to be the largest in the world, is also being built in the Friuli region.

Giovanni Masarotti says a third of the world's chairs production is in located Friuli

Masarotti explained that for the past 15 years, all chairs have been locally designed. But today, internationalism prevails and manufacturing materials are brought from around the world. Wood is still the most popular material, though metal and plastic play their role in modern chair making.

This region, which borders on Austria and Slovenia, has seen many foreign rulers and was once strongly influenced by Hapsburg and the Austro-Hungarian empires. One can feel a strong American influence here today, but itís not manifested in McDonaldís and Coca Cola. Reminiscent of the American desire for all things big, the world tallest chair was built here four years ago. And it is big!

Related links:
Promosedia