Cipì was founded in 2003 and since then produces, designs and distributes bathroom accessories and household. The main target market remains the Bathroom. Cipì operates mainly in Italy, Europe, Middle East and South Korea through its network of agents and distributors exclusive.
Interview with PierGiorgio Cappeli, Co-Founder of CIPì.
Easy Engineering: A brief description of the company and its activities.
PierGiorgio Cappeli: CIPì is a young factory born in 2003, merging the experience of the 2 actual co-founders: PIER GIORGIO CAPPELLI (aka Piero) and CLELIA BRAVI.
Our personal background is full of experience in sales and bathroom products’ production, the mix of knowledge created the first catalogue and proposal for the Italian market.
In the early 2000’s the market was full of proposals and we decided to simply express our ideas of bathroom: UNCONVENTIONAL.
Now, after 20 years of activity, we can look back and see all the developments we made.
From the creation of a wide bathroom proposal up to the market share we gained in the years.
We are still a small Company, a drop in the ocean compared to the Big European/worldwide brands, but we like to continue with our vision and proposal of bathroom experience.
E.E: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
PG.C: CIPì is actually quite present on the Italian market.
Our taste and our vision are appreciated also in Europe, GCC countries and far East (Korea and Vietnam). These countries are the ones, who actually mostly appreciate the Italian style and design.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
PG.C: We tried to anticipate the trends, taking inspiration not only from the bathroom segments.
During my travels I look myself around with the eyes of a curious child, mixing my ideas with the suggestions I see.
This is how most of the iconic products of our catalogue are born: Zen console, Index washbasins, Trabocchetto round or square are only few examples.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
PG.C: We offer products we see in the bathroom, but we are aware that sometimes this is a limitation. Some of our products can be also installed in the living room or bedroom.
Our catalogue is divided by segments and we propose a concept of complete bathroom: furniture, washbasins, mirrors, accessories, complements, carpets and lighting are all solutions available in our general catalogue.
I like to say to my customers “don’t limit yourself”.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
PG.C: Being active in different markets, this is not an easy answer.
Each country has its own habits, tastes, needs which can’t be summarized in a simple list and consequently in a simple proposal.
Also considering our proposal, which is not conventionally and quite usual, some markets are more ready than others.
But overall, the trend is positive and we see a general opening from the end consumer to our type of products.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
PG.C: Companies in our segment look for new attractive products to arouse curiosity in the end customer.
The real questions is: how many sales do these new products really generate?
We were able to identify the tastes and decline them according to our philosophy.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
PG.C: “Innovation” in our sector is an overestimated word. We are not surgery and we are not inventing new solutions.
Our small contribution is to propose to our customers combinations of new and different materials.
We were one of the first to propose river stone washbasins 20 years ago.
Now it is a type of product available and visible almost everywhere.
We were one of the first to “think outside of the box” regarding bathroom furniture, with our Zen console. The idea of a console without drawers and already assembled, usable in small bathroom, was an interesting challenge for us.
Again, we were one of the first to present collection is researched and various colors 4 years ago. We were labelled as “visionary” but we have been rewarded by our customers.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
PG.C: After the years of worldwide problems, last year was influenced by various increases.
The last month has been quite difficult for us, due to the flood in our region which forced us to stop the activity for mayor causes.
But we are equipped to return always stronger and never quit.
2023 will be a transitionary year with the hope the general situation will return to normality.