The name Estel is actually an acronym derived from the company’s original patent from the 1950s, “Estensibile Stella” (Stella Extendable), an innovative sliding folding door that became a true best-seller, establishing the company’s success on the national market.
Following its foundation in 1937, the company initially focused primarily on home furnishings. In 1980, it entered the office furniture sector, bringing comfort and ergonomics into the workplace as well.
In 1985, Alberto and Pierluigi Stella met Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, with whom they designed an executive desk. The result was an iconic piece, symbolizing the company’s evolution towards auteur design. From that point onwards, numerous other signature pieces were added to the catalogue, including the Kronos executive system and the Reflez armchair by Paolo Favaretto.
In the late 1990s, Estel entered the contract sector, offering turnkey solutions for offices, hotels, banks, and retail spaces. This shift was made possible by the introduction of serial production and an advanced logistics system.