Company Overview and Heritage

Tonon & C. spa, established in 1926 in Manzano, Italy, is a globally recognized brand specializing in seating solutions. The company prides itself on 100% Made in Italy craftsmanship, blending traditional artisan skills with modern industrial techniques. Tonon operates in 68 countries, serving both residential and commercial markets. Key historical milestones include the acquisition of Prototipo in 2010 and the launch of Casa Soft in 2011, expanding their offerings in transitional, glamorous, and soft seating, particularly for the HORECA sector.

Design Philosophy and Collaborations

Tonon collaborates with international architects and designers to create seating collections that balance aesthetics and functionality. Customization is emphasized, especially for hospitality clients, with close cooperation between customers and design studios to tailor products.

Product Evolution and Innovations

• Materials & Technology: Shift from traditional wooden frames to steel constructions with injected fire-retardant polyurethane foam shells, enhancing durability and safety.
• Notable Collections: Episodes, Up Chair, Loft, Poppy, Heartbreaker, and Question Mark, featuring ergonomic designs, swivel mechanisms with memory return, and diverse upholstery options.
• Manufacturing Techniques: Use of rotational molding for outdoor polyethylene collections and high-quality finishes such as solid American walnut and die-cast aluminum bases.

Product Specifications and Features

• Loft Collection: Armchairs and poufs with polished chrome or matte black steel frames, ergonomic seating with headrests and footrests, and a wide range of fabric and leather upholstery.
• Up Lounge Collection: Lounge chairs with handcrafted solid American walnut armrests, die-cast aluminum bases, 360° swivel with memory return, and extensive upholstery choices.
• Poppy Collection: Chairs with injected fire-retardant foam shells, self-supporting steel frames, polished chrome swivel bases, and matching footrests.
• Heartbreaker & Question Mark Collections: Steel frames with flame-retardant foam, polished or matte chrome stainless steel bases, 360° swivel with memory return, and fixed versions available.

Materials and Finishes

• Steel finishes: polished chrome, matte black, matte chrome, polished stainless steel.
• Wood finishes: solid American walnut (oiled or stained), black walnut stain, matt black lacquered.
• Upholstery: multiple fabric collections, eco-leather, and premium leather options.

Global Presence and Market Focus

Tonon distributes products worldwide across Europe, Americas, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The company targets residential and commercial sectors, with a strong emphasis on contract business in hospitality chains such as Sheraton, Holiday Inn, and Hilton.

Key Historical Milestones

• 1926: Founded by Alberto Tonon, initially producing wooden bicycle wheels.
• 1935: Introduction of the Jonathan chair, a bent wood reinterpretation.
• 1983-1985: Development of bent wood technology and high gloss lacquer furniture.
• 1998: Launch of the Episodes collection.
• 2000-2015: Multiple design awards, new materials introduction, and outdoor collection expansion.
• 2011: Entry into HORECA market with soft seating solutions.

Design Awards and Recognition

Several collections have received prestigious awards including the Good Design Award. Notable designers include Martin Ballendat, Stefan Heiliger, David Fox, Paolo Nava, and Markus Kerker.

Best Practices and Recommendations

• Customization is essential, especially for contract and hospitality sectors.
• Use of fire-retardant materials ensures safety compliance.
• Ergonomic design enhances comfort and appeal.
• Wide upholstery and finish options allow adaptation to diverse interiors.
• Integration of traditional craftsmanship with modern technology supports quality and innovation.

Technical Specifications and Materials

• Fabrics: ARCHITECTURE, STRETCHY, CLOU, FLUFFY, FELIX, STRAMACCHIAMI.
• Gabriel Fabrics: EUROPOST, COMFORT.
• Ecoleather: VINTAGE.
• Leather: BASIC LEATHER TENDER, PREMIUM LEATHER SOFT.

Seating shells are built on self-supporting steel frames covered with injected flame-retardant polyurethane foam, often cold-foamed for durability and fire safety. Bases are steel or aluminum with finishes such as polished or matt chrome steel, polished aluminum, or black lacquered steel. Steel cross sections vary by model (30x12 mm or ø12 mm). Wood options include solid black American walnut with natural or stained finishes.

Base and Mechanism Options

• Column bases in spider or square plate styles, finished in polished or matt chrome steel.
• Swivel mechanisms provide 360° rotation with memory return to original position.
• Fixed bases and four wooden leg versions available for some models.
• Counter stools and barstools feature sled bases or central columns with square bases.

Product Collections and Features

• Question Mark 046: Polyurethane foam seating with steel structure, 360° swivel with memory return, polished or matt stainless steel bases.
• Stage 061: Fire retardant foam shells with steel frames, multiple base options, fixed or swivel versions, various upholstery choices.
• Wave 901: 2-seater sofas and chairs with steel bases, swivel mechanisms, soft touch shells, polished or matt chromed steel finishes.
• Sphere 066: Armchairs with polyurethane foam shells, steel or aluminum bases, 360° swivel with memory return, wooden leg options in walnut.
• Matchball 064: Small lounge chairs with injected flame retardant foam, capitonnè upholstery, polished or matt stainless steel bases.
• Feel Me 031: Steel or aluminum bases, 360° swivel with memory return, multiple upholstery options.
• First Class 090: Injected polyurethane foam seating with self-supporting steel structure, optional 360° swivel, integrated electrical installations including sockets, USB chargers, data connections, and wireless inductive charging (QI-Version).
• Lady 045: Armchairs with steel frames and polyurethane foam shells, central column with round base, 360° swivel with memory return or fixed versions with solid walnut legs.
• Sella 290 Dining: Wooden chairs with stainless steel details, aluminum glides with felt or plastic, upholstery in fabric, leather, or hide, various wood stains and finishes.
• Step Lounge 904: Organic-shaped shells with self-supporting steel frames covered with injected flame retardant polyurethane foam or colored integral “soft touch” foam, designed for maximum comfort. Bases include polished steel, white lacquered, or black lacquered cross bases.

Dimensions and Weights

Each product includes detailed dimensions (height, width, depth, seat height), weight in kilograms, and packaging volume (CBM), varying by model and configuration.

Finishes and Accessories

• Metal finishes: polished steel (F040), matt chromed steel (F047), polished aluminum (A041), black lacquered (F064), white lacquered (F055).
• Wood finishes: solid black walnut oiled (NC 8.011), black walnut stain (NC 8.146), beech in various stains.
• Glides available in felt or plastic for wooden leg chairs.

Functional Features and Recommendations

• Swivel chairs generally include memory return mechanisms for ergonomic convenience.
• Fire retardant polyurethane foam ensures compliance with safety standards.
• Integrated charging options enhance functionality in modern environments like airports and hotels.
• Multiple upholstery options allow customization for aesthetics and comfort.

Applications and Installations

Tonon products are installed in prestigious locations worldwide, including Hotel Coppe (Italy), Hotel Radisson (Russia), Manchester Airport Terminal 1 (UK), Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel (Australia), and Hotel Plaza (Italy), demonstrating suitability for hospitality and public spaces.

Step Lounge 904 Collection Specifics

This collection features lounge chairs with shells upholstered in a "soft touch" material, identified by code 127126 and model number 904.76. The chairs offer a 360° swivel mechanism without memory return, allowing free rotation. Upholstery options include Stretchy, Clou, Fluffy, Felix fabrics, Gabriel’s Europost and Comfort, Vintage eco-leather, and Basic and Premium Leather Soft.

The design combines ergonomic comfort with versatile upholstery choices, suitable for diverse interior settings. The swivel feature adds functional flexibility, while the broad material selection supports customization.