Our Story
VR Group is a global leader in the market of glass doors for washing machines and dryers and works with over 3,000 clients all over the world. Thanks to our entrepreneurial spirit, ability to innovate and dynamism we have over 100 years of experience in this sector.
Our story started in 1905, when our founders belonging to the Lodi family, who worked in the historically important glass making tradition of Altare (SV) and Colle Val d’Elsa (SI), set up their business in Turin; even then the production ranged from household items (lighting) to the pharmaceutical sector, up to glass perfumery.
The automotive sector in the seventies was in a boom period and VR Group started producing glass for headlights. To manage the increasing demand for its products, VR Group established in 1968 its new factory and head office at Colognola ai Colli in the province of Verona. This was how Vetrerie Riunite spa was founded. During this time, production and development of door glasses for washing and dish washing machines was started and this became the principal business for the group.
In 1981 VR Group purchased Borromini srl a company with many years’ experience in the production and development of moulds for the automotive lighting sector.
In the middle of the 80’s VR Group created Novaref spa to develop glass rollers for the ceramics and construction business.
The VR Group has moved forward into the new millennium and continues its growth in both production, quality and exploiting new techniques. The latest investment for the group in 2017 was the building of a new oven Centauro, which will enable production levels to be increased by 25% to reach 300 tonnes of glass per day.
In 2018 a new commercial branch of Vetrerie Riunite is established in China and called VRI.
In 2019 VR group joins Sun Capital Partners.
Towards the end of 2020, the tableware division Vetri delle Venezie is sold, while maintaining the production of glass dishware under the Chef Table brand.
In 2021 VR Group completed the acquisition of the Chinese company cinese Suizhong Minghui Industrial Technology Ltd., acquiring more and more market share worldwide in the pressed technical glass sector, making the production of glass doors for washing machines and dryers its main business.
In October 2023 Sun European Partners LLP sold VR Group (Vetrerie Riunite S.p.A. and Borromini s.r.l). to Teak Capital and Tangor Capital. Novaref S.p.A. is not included in the scope of the transaction.
Milestones
1905
La famiglia Lodi fonda una vetreria a Torino per l’industria dell’illuminazione, farmaceutica e della profumeria. The Lodi family founded a
1968
Nasce lo stabilimento di Vetrerie Riunite SpA a Colognola ai Colli (VR). Inizio della produzione di fanali in vetro. The
[:it]Fine anni ’60[:en]End of the 60s[:]
Inizio produzione oblò per lavatrici e installazione della prima pressa automatica. Start of production of glass doors for washing machines
1981
Nasce Borromini Borromini was founded
1987
Nasce Novaref Novaref was founded
1993
Ai tre forni a gas già presenti, se ne aggiunge un quarto elettrico A fourth electric oven is added to
[:it]Fine anni ’90[:en]End of the 90s[:]
![[:it]Fine anni ’90[:en]End of the 90s[:]](https://vetrerieriunite.it/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/FotoOblo-350x120.jpg)
La produzione di oblò in vetro per lavatrici e asciugatrici diventa il core business aziendale The production of glass doors
1999
Fondazione della business unit per articoli da tavola in vetro con il marchio Vetri delle Venezie Foundation of the Vetri
2004
Installazione forno da 110 t/g dalla fusione di due forni già esistenti. Installation of 110 t/d furnace from the merger
2007
Costruzione di un secondo forno da 110 t/g dalla fusione dei due forni rimanenti da 60 t/g Construction of a
2010
Installazione primo controllo di qualità automatico per vetro rotto e di una pressa per vetri big Installation of the first
2012
Aggiunta settima linea di produzione di vetro Added seventh glass production line
2017
Installazione nuovo altoforno Centauro da 175 t/g per la produzione del vetro Installation of new Centauro furnace of 175 t/day
2018
Costituzione del primo ufficio commerciale in Cina per il vetro tecnico (VRI) Establishment of the first sales office in China
2019
Vetrerie Riunite entra a far parte di Sun Capital Partners Vetrerie Riunite is part of Sun Capital Partners
2020
Ciclo produttivo del vetro completamente automatizzato Production cycle of glass becomes 100% automatic
2021
Cessione del ramo d’azienda Vetri delle Venezie e rilancio della divisione di pirofile in vetro Chef Table Sale of Vetri
2021
Acquisizione azienda cinese Suizhong Minghui Industrial Technology Ltd e nascita di VR group Acquisition of Chinese company Suizhong Minghui Industrial
2021
Costruzione ottava linea di produzione per articoli in vetro Construction eighth production line for glassware
Mission
To be the undisputed global leader in the glass windows for washing machines and dryers sector
Vision
To consistently exceed our customers’ expectations with regard to sustainability, level of service, quality, efficency and innovation
World Map Business
900
EMPLOYEES
43
MILLIONS OF PIECES PRODUCED PER YEAR
120
MILLIONS OF € TURNOVER 2021
42
COUNTRIES SERVED
15
WORLDWIDE WAREHOUSES