The company owes its success to its founder Aurelio's insight and passion: he was convinced that "the furniture industry must make every effort to envisage future needs and not limit itself to merely satisfying the basic demands of the public." In 1954 his entrepreneurial adventure began when he opened Zanotta Poltrone in Brianza, which would later become Zanotta. One of the first products the company presented to the public was the Throw-Away sofa by Landels, and then, in 1969, the famous Sacco armchair designed by Gatti, Paolini and Teodoro. That was when its collaboration began with the Castiglioni brothers, Gae Aulenti, De Pas, D'Urbino and Lomazzi, Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zanuso, Enzo Mari... Great names and young artists just starting out, all of whom were welcomed into the Zanotta "household" as long as they came up with projects "that were different from all the rest." In 1989 "Zanotta Edizioni" was born, which presented objects in a limited series. Aurelio, who died in 1991, is succeeded by his children Eleonora, Francesca and Martino, who still carry on their father's dream. Under the leadership of the second generation, Zanotta is confirmed as a synonym of high-quality design, experimentation and an openness towards young designers. Many of Zanotti's pieces are cited in books on the history of design and exhibited in the major art museums worldwide. The company is also a three-time winner of the Compasso d'Oro.