A history of quality,
experience and design

Today, Dnd is an International benchmark for the manufacturing of quality and design-oriented handles

The story of Dnd began more than fifty years ago, in 1968, arising from the ancient and strong craft and industrial dedication which has its strong roots in Val Sabbia, in the province of Brescia. This is an area with centuries of material knowledge, especially in the steel industry – one of Europe’s major hubs of this industry.

1968: the foundation

FMN Martinelli was incorporated in Nozza under the leadership of Angelo Martinelli, a passionate manufacturer of high quality handles, knobs and door knockers. The Val Sabbia craft district grew, became richer and more specialised.

1973

First production lots for export, success of Paperino and Posthorn models.

1975

In Zurich, the International Academy for Economic and Social Sciences granted the 'Golden Hercules Prize' to the company, an international award for companies that stood out due to their innovation.

1978

First expansion of the company, with the growth of the production and logistics departments.

1982

The company began to export to the British markets with the Georgian and Victorian models.

1987

The second generation of the family continued the corporate operations: Vilma Martinelli and her brothers took off from where the late founder Angelo left.

1990

Start of high quality production with the Onda, Cometa and Orizzonte models. Technology shifted from die-casting to hot stamping of brass. Communication became a value to invest in.

1996

The new production site in Casto was established and it is still in operation today. Major leap in quality and efficiency with robotic islands and a complete production cycle to support the top of the range products.

1998

Mauro Ronchi, a designer from Brescia, is appointed the company's art director and the brand Dnd, or Diffusione nuovo design, was launched. The catalogue of collections features new appealing products and turns its focus on the world of contemporary design.

2002

The Dnd brand continued its development with the Art, Dolce and Vita models.
Packaging, photography and communication become key elements on which the company invests its resources and commitment.

2007

Karim Rashid on behalf of Dnd designed handles with new and disruptive shapes: the collections were renewed with great success, the company's standing grew together with its openness towards international exports and the world of quality design.

2010-2015

The Edra and Luxury models were born, and they are still among the best sellers of the range.
Two important handles were included in the catalogue, the result of strategic collaborations and great technological research: Intake, designed by Andrea Morgante for the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena and C-1918, designed by Achille Castiglioni with Gianfranco Cavaglià and rediscovered by Dnd.

2017

Tradition and innovation came together: FMN Martinelli and Dnd became a single entity, with a single catalogue of products that blends the souls of the company's history in the best possible way.
Giulio Iacchetti was appointed art director of Dnd: a new identity (signed by Leonardo Sonnoli), a new image, a new way of speaking and looking at the world of design.

2017

Giulio Iacchetti was appointed new art director of the company

Dnd was pleased to announce the appointment of Giulio Iacchetti as the new art director of the company: an important step, a strong signal, a concrete commitment to look at the world of the best project.

2018

"Architecture for hands."
Involving architects who never - or hardly ever - worked on industrial design, in the project of a handle: this was the challenge imagined by Dnd thanks to an idea of Giulio Iacchetti, the company's art director, and proposed to five Italian architecture firms that are very active at international level.

2020

The Dnd headquarters in Casto were renovated with new offices and showrooms.

2021

First historic participation for the company at the Salone del Mobile in Milan, one of the most important trade fairs in the design industry, considered a symbol of prestige and success internationally. Dnd's participation in the Salone marks its reinforcement in the global design scene and strengthens its reputation as a high-quality design brand.

2023

The young designer Elena Salmistraro joins the Dnd collaboration team, with the creation of Crisalide and Dune, new handles with an innovative character. The reinterpretation of ceramics marks a clear step towards the future, while maintaining solid roots. This is only the latest in a long series of prestigious collaborations, such as those with Park Associati, Gabriele & Oscar Buratti, Holscher Design, Luca Nichetto, Jaime Hayon, Marco Pisati.

A forge at the service of ideas

Over time, the company evolved and focused on developing and increasing production, by renewing its production processes and specialising in the process and finish of new and different metals for handle production, such as zamak and aluminium, in addition, of course, to brass.

Today, Dnd is managed by Vilma Martinelli together with her son Pietro and daughter Simona: they imagine Dnd as a forge of ideas able to combine the long manufacturing experience gathered over time with the creativity of experienced and respected architects and designers who are duly involved in the design of the products.

Long production experience,
the creativity of architects and designers

A new art direction

Since 2017, Dnd appointed Giulio Iacchetti as its art director: a very talented industrial designer, involved in the development of the catalogue, the strategy, the selection of designers and consultants to be involved.

An important assignment, thanks to which Dnd intends to carry on, spending the utmost care and attention, with the growth path that makes it increasingly present in the world of home design.

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