There is a timeless game that evokes summer and immediately makes you feel on holiday: of course, we are talking about table football! The origin of what the English call Table Football, the Germans call Kicker, and the Italians call calciobalilla is uncertain and dates back to the 1920s. However, this game’s luck arrived a few years later and is tied to a Frenchman and a carpenter’s shop in the Alessandria area, specifically that of Renato Garlando. We are in the late 1940s, and today, Garlando is a name that evokes nostalgia and fun, inextricably linked to table football, one of the world’s best-loved games that has brought together generations of people in friendly challenges.
The beginnings: an Italian dream
Initially, the Garlando carpentry workshop in Spinetta Marengo produced wooden articles, including wine barrels, flutes and even coffins. In 1949, Marcel Zosso arrived in the village from France with a clear idea: to produce table football. However, he lacked the equipment and skills to accomplish what he had in mind. This is where Renato Garlando comes in. He recognised the game’s potential and began collaborating with Zosso. Within a short period, the first models produced on a large scale in Italy were released. They were a huge success: between 1951 and 1954, Garlando built about 12,000 table football tables! These were innovative products featuring telescopic poles and players’ figures in non-deformable plastic.
Attention to detail and craftsmanship
From its earliest beginnings, Garlando stood out for the attention to detail and high-quality craftsmanship of its table football. Each piece was crafted with care and precision, using sturdy materials and innovative manufacturing techniques for the time. This approach immediately won over the Italian public, making Garlando table football a permanent fixture in bars and arcades. In 1954, Garlando SpA was founded, and industrially produced foosball tables spread throughout Europe.
The international rise
Over the years, the company expanded its reach and entered international markets, becoming a globally recognised brand. The quality of the Made in Italy table footballs did not go unnoticed: their elegant design and robustness made them a favourite with players of all ages and levels. Exports to the United States began in 1969, and after a slow start, they became a great success.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Garlando introduced new product lines and technological improvements that revolutionised the industry. High-quality wood was combined with modern materials such as metal and strong plastic, making the tables more durable and versatile. In addition, the company began collaborating with sports associations to develop models suitable for professional competitions.
Innovation and sustainability
One of Garlando’s distinguishing features is its ability to innovate without ever losing touch with its roots. Over the past few decades, the company has invested heavily in research and development, introducing increasingly advanced design solutions. Garlando’s tables now feature ergonomic systems, improved playing surfaces and eco-friendly materials to reduce environmental impact.
Sustainability has become a key part of the company’s philosophy. Garlando is committed to using recycled materials and minimising waste during production, while balancing tradition and modernity.
Present and future
Today, Garlando remains an industry leader, offering a product range that extends beyond table football. The company has expanded its catalogue to include billiards, table tennis and entertainment games, while maintaining the same dedication to quality and design that has made it famous.
Garlando’s story is a perfect example of how a simple idea, driven by passion and dedication, can evolve into a worldwide phenomenon. Through table football and other games, Garlando has not only created excellent products but also helped build human bonds that transcend borders and cultures. A true Made in Italy icon, which continues to write its history with pride and creativity.
With millions of foosball tables sold over its 70-year history, it is the world’s leading manufacturer of table football, selling on five continents.
Congratulations to those who bring table football and the Made in Italy experience to the world.
Discover more outstanding Italian companies in sport and leisure.