Every great story
HISTORY
A journey of continuous evolution
Ugolini is a historic Italian family business and leader in the development and production of professional equipment for hot and cold drink distribution. Today, Ugolini is a symbol of Italian excellence around the world in countertop equipment for dispensing drinks, ice cream, hot chocolate and coffee, systems for dispensing cold creams, soft serve, slushes and soluble products for the foodservice and hospitality industry.
Background
The founder of Ugolini, Mario Ugolini, was born in Rimini on 27 August 1912, but moved to Milan with his family at the age of 5. Here, as a young man, he learned to repair the early domestic refrigerators that had just arrived on the Italian market. A keen self-taught inventor, he applied his inventiveness to the creation of a number of prototypes.
Following the harrowing war years, activities started to recover in 1946, when Mario Ugolini began his entrepreneurial activities. In the 1960s, the enterprising Ugolini was not satisfied with simply “repairing”, but had a strong drive to begin real industrial production.
Interested in travel and other cultures, Mario Ugolini understood the advantages of creating “drinks coolers” that he had seen in the United States. He created a prototype, presented it in its final form at the 1966 International Trade Fair in Milan, and immediately received an order for 100 machines.
His intuition to design the smallest refrigerator in the world would lead to great future success.
A new business venture
In the early 1970s, Giancarlo and Umberto Ugolini, Mario’s sons, joined forces to transform the company from a family business into a world leader in the sector. A forward-thinking approach, driven by the creation of new markets and groundbreaking ideas, transformed the company into an Italian industrial powerhouse and a shining example of Italian-made excellence. The sale of drinks coolers took off. In 1974, slush machine production began. By the late 1970s, the penetration of foreign markets had begun on a large scale.
Ugolini around the world
In 1980, Ugolini was the official supplier of the Moscow Olympics. In 1981, the slush machine was introduced in the United States. In just a few years, the market that had provided Mario Ugolini with the inspiration for his winning idea would become the stage for the slush machine’s undisputed success. Also in 1981, the company shipped a 40-foot container full of machines to China for the first time. The path was now mapped out, and in a short space of time, Ugolini expanded into 122 countries around the world.
Beyond cold drinks
In 1991, a small revolution took place in the company’s technical-production system: the introduction of the HT product line. Alongside the updated appearance of the drinks coolers, it included a slush machine that represented an innovation for the sector.
During this period, the first production facility outside Italy was also built in Brazil. The Ugolini product family was growing.
In 1997, acting on feedback from the market, Ugolini introduced its revolutionary magnetic transmission system for slush machines, which would become one of the keys to the company’s success in this important market.
New models
In 2000, the new Delice line for hot chocolate set new standards in terms of aesthetics and functionality.
During this time, the Ugolini product range expanded to include: the Giant model, the largest “visual” professional equipment in the world; the new Arctic family of drinks coolers, with which Ugolini once again introduced numerous innovations, all designed to meet the market’s demands for versatility and functionality; and the Mini model, with which Ugolini accepted and met the challenge of creating the world’s smallest slush machine. With its versatility, this model was perfectly suited to the emerging cold cream market. It would be an unprecedented success.
The company also entered the world of dispensers for soluble products with the M series, based on cutting-edge technology. For the first time, it was possible to remotely control a dispensing machine via the GSM telephone network.
Creativity and style
In 2009, a new creative space dedicated to style and communication was established. The company felt the need to internally manage both the design of its own products — which required increasingly specialist skills — as well as all graphical aspects, communications and events. The new concepts of creativity and style marked a new direction and would be coordinated and managed strictly in line with the corporate identity.
Existing product families were revamped with professional Italian design and numerous technological innovations, giving rise to a “new generation” of equipment: NG. New lines were also created — MiniGEL for soft serve and QuickGEL for espresso ice cream — offering new product ranges.
Research and innovation
In 2018, two new lines were introduced, defining the future direction of Ugolini. INSTANT, for soluble products, was based on aesthetic design, leading to various possible versions and a reorganization of the internal components for greater efficiency and ease of use. The design was then integrated with the IoT system for effective remote control of the position and parameters of the entire network of equipment installed across the country.
ICON fully warrants the title of “boutique machine”. Its unique style, compactness and ability to handle small quantities of product due to its 2.8-litre container quickly made it an indispensable piece of equipment with immediate success.
New goals
In 2020, following the challenging lockdown period, we made a fresh start! The company relocated to its new headquarters, bringing production, warehousing and offices together under one roof. Eager to get back on track in a new 14,200-m2 state-of-the-art facility after such an unprecedented period, the company’s trademark enthusiasm and passion continued to drive the pursuit of new goals and the achievement of fresh milestones.
Continuous development
Today, given its enormous success, the company has decided to expand the ICON family, designing and producing 6-litre ICON and other new models.
Background
The founder of Ugolini, Mario Ugolini, was born in Rimini on 27 August 1912, but moved to Milan with his family at the age of 5. Here, as a young man, he learned to repair the early domestic refrigerators that had just arrived on the Italian market. A keen self-taught inventor, he applied his inventiveness to the creation of a number of prototypes.
Following the harrowing war years, activities started to recover in 1946, when Mario Ugolini began his entrepreneurial activities. In the 1960s, the enterprising Ugolini was not satisfied with simply “repairing”, but had a strong drive to begin real industrial production.
Interested in travel and other cultures, Mario Ugolini understood the advantages of creating “drinks coolers” that he had seen in the United States. He created a prototype, presented it in its final form at the 1966 International Trade Fair in Milan, and immediately received an order for 100 machines.
His intuition to design the smallest refrigerator in the world would lead to great future success.
A new business venture
In the early 1970s, Giancarlo and Umberto Ugolini, Mario’s sons, joined forces to transform the company from a family business into a world leader in the sector. A forward-thinking approach, driven by the creation of new markets and groundbreaking ideas, transformed the company into an Italian industrial powerhouse and a shining example of Italian-made excellence. The sale of drinks coolers took off. In 1974, slush machine production began. By the late 1970s, the penetration of foreign markets had begun on a large scale.
Ugolini around the world
In 1980, Ugolini was the official supplier of the Moscow Olympics. In 1981, the slush machine was introduced in the United States. In just a few years, the market that had provided Mario Ugolini with the inspiration for his winning idea would become the stage for the slush machine’s undisputed success. Also in 1981, the company shipped a 40-foot container full of machines to China for the first time. The path was now mapped out, and in a short space of time, Ugolini expanded into 122 countries around the world.
Beyond cold drinks
In 1991, a small revolution took place in the company’s technical-production system: the introduction of the HT product line. Alongside the updated appearance of the drinks coolers, it included a slush machine that represented an innovation for the sector.
During this period, the first production facility outside Italy was also built in Brazil. The Ugolini product family was growing.
In 1997, acting on feedback from the market, Ugolini introduced its revolutionary magnetic transmission system for slush machines, which would become one of the keys to the company’s success in this important market.
New models
In 2000, the new Delice line for hot chocolate set new standards in terms of aesthetics and functionality.
During this time, the Ugolini product range expanded to include: the Giant model, the largest “visual” professional equipment in the world; the new Arctic family of drinks coolers, with which Ugolini once again introduced numerous innovations, all designed to meet the market’s demands for versatility and functionality; and the Mini model, with which Ugolini accepted and met the challenge of creating the world’s smallest slush machine. With its versatility, this model was perfectly suited to the emerging cold cream market. It would be an unprecedented success.
The company also entered the world of dispensers for soluble products with the M series, based on cutting-edge technology. For the first time, it was possible to remotely control a dispensing machine via the GSM telephone network.
Creativity and style
In 2009, a new creative space dedicated to style and communication was established. The company felt the need to internally manage both the design of its own products — which required increasingly specialist skills — as well as all graphical aspects, communications and events. The new concepts of creativity and style marked a new direction and would be coordinated and managed strictly in line with the corporate identity.
Existing product families were revamped with professional Italian design and numerous technological innovations, giving rise to a “new generation” of equipment: NG. New lines were also created — MiniGEL for soft serve and QuickGEL for espresso ice cream — offering new product ranges.
Research and innovation
In 2018, two new lines were introduced, defining the future direction of Ugolini. INSTANT, for soluble products, was based on aesthetic design, leading to various possible versions and a reorganization of the internal components for greater efficiency and ease of use. The design was then integrated with the IoT system for effective remote control of the position and parameters of the entire network of equipment installed across the country.
ICON fully warrants the title of “boutique machine”. Its unique style, compactness and ability to handle small quantities of product due to its 2.8-litre container quickly made it an indispensable piece of equipment with immediate success.
New goals
In 2020, following the challenging lockdown period, we made a fresh start! The company relocated to its new headquarters, bringing production, warehousing and offices together under one roof. Eager to get back on track in a new 14,200-m2 state-of-the-art facility after such an unprecedented period, the company’s trademark enthusiasm and passion continued to drive the pursuit of new goals and the achievement of fresh milestones.
Continuous development
Today, given its enormous success, the company has decided to expand the ICON family, designing and producing 6-litre and 10-litre ICON models.
Our strengths have always been
our respect for human values and a passion for
what we do.
DESIGN
Design that makes an impact
The architect Federico Salin develops the aesthetic design of Ugolini products, creating lasting values.
After years working in the automotive industry at one of Italy’s most iconic design hubs, he began a professional journey with Ugolini, a company close to his heart.
A passion for purity of form and attention to detail go hand in hand with a natural talent for thinking outside the box, creating standout products.
He approaches design not merely as an aesthetic exercise but as the development of a thought process driven by deliberate choices, aiming to make a significant and enduring impact on the Made in Italy landscape.
As Art Director, he alternates product-related activities with those related to communication and events.
EVOLUTION OF THE BRAND
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Theart of design
Innovation and product quality are key to standing out in an increasingly competitive market.
As competition in the market increases, innovation and quality are fundamental to setting oneself apart. We transform market needs into highly successful products.
We believe that a quality product always stems from the combination of multiple professional skills, which is why our machines are developed internally by a team of professionals focused on the needs of our customers and technological innovations.
The utmost attention to detail and functionality, combined with the use of cutting-edge design technologies, has earned our company worldwide recognition.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The art of design
standing out in an increasingly competitive market.
As competition in the market increases, innovation and quality are fundamental to setting oneself apart. We transform market needs into highly successful products.
We believe that a quality product always stems from the combination of multiple professional skills, which is why our machines are developed internally by a team of professionals focused on the needs of our customers and technological innovations.
The utmost attention to detail and functionality, combined with the use of cutting-edge design technologies, has earned our company worldwide recognition.
Strategic choices
Are you looking for a custom product? Our team will offer
advice and guide you towards the best choices for your business