When Made in Italy’ and you immediately think of fashion, design, the automotive industry and food. But the history of Italian industry is also dotted with companies capable of transforming a simple idea into an iconic product. One such company is Polti, a brand founded in Lombardy that has built its success on the power of steam and, for almost fifty years, has been developing solutions that simplify everyday life, exporting Italian technology, reliability, and design to the world.
The idea and the company
It all began in 1978 when Franco Polti set up his own company in Olgiate Comasco to bring an idea to life: to bring the quality of professional ironing into people’s homes. This is how Vaporella came into being – the first steam iron with a separate boiler. A truly groundbreaking innovation that effectively opened up a new market, created a product category that had not existed until then and, above all, helped to change the habits of thousands of households.
An all-Italian revolution
Before the arrival of Vaporella, traditional irons offered limited performance. Polti introduced a system capable of generating continuous high-pressure steam, significantly improving the quality of ironing and reducing the time taken. It was an instant success, and Vaporella became one of the Made in Italy flagship products, appreciated by both the Italian public and international markets.
Over the years, the brand has continued to evolve, introducing new technologies to enhance safety, energy efficiency and ease of use.
From Vaporella to Vaporetto: a new approach to cleaning is born
Vaporella’s success was just the beginning. In 1983, with the launch of Vaporetto – the steam cleaner that revolutionised the concept of domestic cleaning – Polti opened up a new market. The idea was simple yet extremely effective: to harness the natural power of steam to clean and sanitise surfaces without resorting to chemical detergents. It marked the birth of a new philosophy of domestic cleaning. A key element of this philosophy is sustainability ahead of its time, an approach that taps into a growing awareness of the need to reduce environmental impact, helping to establish Polti as one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of cleaning appliances.
International expansion
The 1990s marked a period of strong growth, during which Polti consolidated its identity as a ‘Made in Italy’ company capable, however, of looking beyond national borders. In 1994, the Italian headquarters and factory were relocated to Bulgarograsso (Como), which remains the Polti Group’s headquarters to this day, and production of coffee machines also began that same year. During this period, new factories were also opened in Italy and abroad.
Francesca Polti and the return to Italian production
In 2009, at a time of economic difficulty for the company, a generational handover took place: Franco Polti handed over the reins to his daughter Francesca, marking the start of a new chapter in Polti’s history. Thanks to a corporate restructuring and the launch of two key products — the Unico vacuum cleaner and Moppy, the cordless steam mop — Francesca managed to turn the company’s fortunes around and safeguard the jobs of its 230 employees.
A key strategic move is the decision to bring the main production activities back to Italy from China – a choice that further strengthens the brand’s association with ‘Made in Italy’, at a time when an increasing number of companies are choosing to do the opposite.
In 2014, after 34 years, the company’s visual identity also underwent a change: the historic logo featuring a thumb emitting steam gave way to a new design inspired by the safety cap, an iconic symbol of Polti products.
In 2025, Francesca Polti was honoured with the WE Award – Women Excellence (Business and Management category). This prestigious award has been presented annually (since 2022) by Il Sole 24 Ore, in collaboration with the Financial Times and Sky TG24, to women who make a tangible contribution to the social, economic and cultural progress of our country.
A bond with Italian sport that is still going strong
We must not forget the long-standing relationship between Polti and sport, which has accompanied the company throughout its history: from its sponsorship of Lampre-Polti in cycling (1993) to Team Polti (1994–2000), right up to its more recent support for Polti-Kometa from 2024 and its sponsorship of the Maglia Rosa in the Giro d’Italia Women. This is a way for the company to represent, through sport as well, the values of commitment, courage and identity that have always characterised Made in Italy.
Polti today: Europe’s leading steam cleaner manufacturer
Today, Polti is a Made in Italy group and a leading manufacturer of small domestic appliances, particularly in the steam appliance category, with around 1.6 million units sold each year in over 30 countries worldwide. Exports account for around half of the Como-based company’s turnover, confirming that Polti’s Made in Italy products are now appreciated well beyond national borders, whilst the company’s production and design operations remain firmly based in Italy.
The product range has since expanded, spanning from steam generator irons to steam cleaners, from vacuum cleaners to coffee machines, and right through to professional sanitising equipment.
Congratulations to those who bring steam and the values of Made in Italy to the world!
Learn more about other outstanding companies in Lombardy.