Mivar is an Italian tv manufacturer that was very popular in Italy, in the Eighties. Its production was entirely done in a village called Abbiategrasso, in the Milanese area. Mr Carlo Vichi, the owner of the factory and the very designer of every piece (from the logo to the remote control) was able to create an empire by himself. Unfortunately, after some unlucky facts that damaged the brand and the production, Mivar started to lose money and popularity. The cutthroat competition with the biggest worldwide companies was too much to stand and the little Italian company, which decided to remain 100% Italian, was way less competitive and started to sink slowly but steadily.
Nevertheless, in 1991, despite uncertainties in the market and before bigger issues to happen in the following years, Mr Carlo Vichi started the construction of a new factory, very close to the old one, on the Naviglio Grande (one of the last artificial canals that run around Milan).
The new Mivar was supposed to guest 1200 workers (in 2 turns) and the factory was finished with every piece in place, ready to be used. Toilets, lights, systems and computers were ready to start a new production. Which NEVER EVER happened.
The factory remained empty. Not abandoned, but desert.
Mr Carlo Vichi is slowly reducing the production (in the old factory) and nowadays Mivar works 12 hours a week and is producing the last pieces. By the end of the year, everything will be shut down.
My personal interest for the Mivar started more or less 20 years ago. My generation grew up watching tv on "Mivars". The remote controls were unique and the quality of the televisions was great. I was allowed to watch very little tv, as a kid, but Mivar was already a brand in my heart. That was the way I could watch my favorite shows.
Recently, I heard about the factory and thought to learn more about what they are doing now. Unfortunately, I discovered all the things above.
With a friend -fan of Mivar as I am- we called Mr Carlo Vichi and asked if it was possible to have a tour of the factory. He was delighted by our call and he invited us there, whenever we pleased.
A week later, we had the occasion to take an amazing tour of every space and learn everything from this special person. We learned about production, architecture, systems, stories of people and of the brand.
I took some photos during the tour of the new factory. I would like to invite everyone to watch them with care and think about the big possibility was lost there.
Mr Carlo Vichi would like to share his story with all the people which are ready to listen.
That is an example of Italian excellence that was destroyed piece by piece, even by mean people which took advantage of a man who created an empire on the basis of hard work.
The past of the factory is already written, but the future can be -if not the first one hoped- maybe brighter anyway. It would be nice to think about a new life for the Mivar. I personally have lots of ideas, and I am sure that everyone, once there, will be inspired as well.
Mr Carlo Vichi and I
No comments:
Post a Comment