THE ART OF MAKING TRACTION MACHINES
Welcome to Montanari History, the journey from 1970 foundation till now, and the future of vertical transportation.
Searching in the photographic archives and our warehouses, we have tried to shape with photos and testimonies our history to be shared with our partners, and you.
THE ORIGIN
All began in 1970, in Via Chile in Modena. From a humble garage, the history of the Montanari Group came to life.
After working for several years at Fiat, Giulio Montanari decided to start his own business, in the lift sector where Italy has been holding the installation record until few decades ago. The first production was dedicated just to traction sheaves.
His wife, Orianna Benetti, was always at his side and at the forefront.
In an interview, we found out that Orianna involvement began from the very beginning. Attracted by the mechanical workings, she wanted to try it herself and never left the site afterwards.
Orianna Benetti and Giulio Montanari in a picture taken in 1996. The two have always worked side by side since the company was founded.
1970: drawing of the first deflection pulley.
Diverting pulleys, the beginning of our history in lifts.
A DREAM TO NURTURE
Modena is a land of engines where many automotive myths have originated.
Our race is not run on the road, but in the sky, along the vertical lift guides where the elevator cabin is pulled by a Montanari heart.
From the sheaves and small accessories to the gearboxes, in fact, the step has been (relatively) short. The facility grew and passed from Via Cile to Via Allende and 8 years after foundation, the first winch, the M78, was launched on the market.
The new plant also means new machineries, employees and a flourishing production reality rooted in Modena.
First version of an M78 Montanari gearbox. The model in the picture still works.
Detail of a 1981 gearbox.
M78 in a later version. This exemplar is stored in our company waiting to be placed in the museum.
Composition of pictures showing some historical machinery used at the beginning of the activity. Some are still functioning.
MONTANARI, A FAMILY-OWNED COMPANY WITH INTERNATIONAL VOCATION
From 1980 to 1990 it experienced the expansion in Italy and abroad.
Let’s close our eyes and imagine the first explorations of international markets. Obviously, the first countries were the closest ones: France, England and with success, we started looking further away.
The first business travels were by car, a door-to-door adventure to introduce the product. It seems weird nowadays given the amount of technology assisting us in travelling and communication. The first sales across national borders meant long journeys driven by the desire to grow the business, aware of the value of the product and of the innovative solutions we were bringing to customers. With the first industry trade fairs also those who came from far away countries could finally experience the Montanari Giulio & C. traction machines.
We were working relentlessly and in the correct way, then we moved again to a larger facility to cover the market demands: in 1987 we transferred from Via Allende to Via Bulgaria, where we still proudly are today. Who would have told that in 2026 we would have totally renovated our Headquarters, to keep widening our production capacity and family?!
At the end of 1990, the Company expanded its product range to support customers and market professionals at best in their installation needs. At the time, we had 12 gearbox models in our catalogue, developed under the technical lead of Stefano Bertoni – a milestone of our Technical Department and our history.
Giulio Montanari and Orianna Benetti inseparable and proud next to a giant Gearbox. Photo taken on the occasion of one of the many trade fairs.
The picture of a very young Stefano Bertoni, historic Montanari Technical Director.
Production area of the Via Bulgaria plant in 1987.
In the composition the lathe used for many years and preserved for future placement in our company museum.
QUALITY IS NOT A PROMISE, IS A CERTAINTY
The reputation of Montanari Giulio Brand established worldwide as our traction machines were moving people safely and smoothly in thousands of lifts. Customers chose us for the reliability and quality of our products, made to guarantee their elevation projects.
Among our goals, main focus went to in-house manufacturing and full control of the supply chain from raw materials to finished product. In 1997 Elemol Company was founded near Lodi, dedicated to the production of electrical motors.
In 1991, the M73 model was launched, one of the most beloved gearboxes by lift operators, and over the years it lived through several technical updates, being still a point of reference for the market and new industry developments.
Our R&D operated with a clear purpose: allow our Partners the maximum ease of installation and maintenance. That’s why all Montanari gearboxes feature a modular design – being divided in three main parts, our gearbox makes easier to lift operators the transport to and assembly on site.
In the meanwhile our Headquarters expanded again, reaching 32,000 square meters surface.
We said goodbye to this decade with the launch of gearless, an innovative introduction joining our well-established range of gearboxes, speed governors, safety gears, sheaves and accessories.
This photo is from 2007. Two smiling Giulio Montanari and Orianna Benetti in the Via Bulgaria headquarters. Bicycles are used to move through the 45000 sq.m. factory.
The first gearless model produced by Montanari, MDD launched in 1999.
External photo of Elemol, today Montanari Giulio. Here the motors of the Montanari gearboxes are produced.
A picture of Stefano Bertoni in production dept.
Bike race inside the factory. A shot that captures an informal moment between colleagues.
NEW MILLENNIUM, NEW SCENARIOS
2000 – 2010
The new Millennium brought us new challenges and projects. The market dynamics have been changing rapidly and the rising city urbanisation rates have been driving vertical mobility up.
The gearless Era began finding Montanari already one step ahead, committed to proposing a comprehensive new range, destined to grow quickly and steadily.
Market dynamics encouraged Montanari to inaugurate its true internationalization: serving over 85 countries around the world, it was now time to start new local businesses to get get closer to local Partners.
The first country was India.
The Indian economy was growing at a vertiginous speed with major investments in modern infrastructure and logistic network: airports, subways, railway stations. On the other hand we were facing the tightening of entry barriers. It was definitely the right time to open a local production site to seize local opportunities and serve the Indian lift market in an optimal way.
In 2008, Montanari Lifts Components was established to manufacture and sell top quality traction machines to the Indian market. With the technical guidance of Italian HQ and in full compliance to same strict manufacturing and testing standards, this Company rapidly became a valuable partner for lift and escalator professionals throughout India.
Innovation never sleeps and at the end of this decade, we targeted another challenging and fast-growing market: China.
Modena: flat gearless in production line ready for shipment.
Indian Plant: Montanari Lifts Components. Here it is produced and sold only to the Indian market.
Chinese branch: Montanari Drive Technology. Here we produce and sell only for the Chinese market.
Modena: Production area Gearless final assembly.
Modena: view from the top of the production. You can see the gearbox assembly and shipment preparation departments.
Modena: panoramic view of the manufacturing area.
THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE
2010 – 2020
Even most beautiful stories have some hard times: in 2010, with great sadness and sorrow we had to say goodbye to Orianna, a unique woman who has indelibly shaped the history and success of Montanari – Family and Company Group.
This decade sees the management handover from Giulio Montanari to its son Massimo, who still guides the Group today. The new CEO stepped in with a brand-new industry scenario, animated by an even stronger competitive drive, new technical constraints and market demands. Now, a global Company has to face both international trends, local regulations and client-specific needs. No compromise on quality and standards yet new challenges towards flexibility and efficiency.
In 2015 Montanari Drive Technology is founded in Shanghai, driven by the desire to seize the Chinese market’s opportunities through dedicated investments and stronger local presence. The new manufacturing plant is dedicated just to Chinese market, committed to producing high-performing gearless machines and components, while importing Made in Italy gearboxes. Synonymous of product quality, rigorous testing and best technical service, in few years the Chinese HQ has been acknowledged as market leader, ISO9001 certified, with over 10,000 gearless units produced yearly.
Since our Foundation, Montanari has been investing in technology, R&D and expertise to anticipate industry trends, meet customer needs and lead innovation in vertical.
We rise high and test higher: since 2016 a futuristic 55 m high test tower has been inaugurated in the Italian HQ, alongside a further production site expansion – now up to 45,000 square metres. Strongly desired by our founder Giulio Montanari, the tower is a real laboratory that allows us to carry out field tests at maximum parameters, to simulate the real installation conditions, down to the smallest detail.
Simulation of the expansion of the Via Bulgaria site from 1996 to 2016 with the addition of the tower and part of the production area.
The headquarters in Modena, Via Bulgaria, today.
Testing of a gearbox in the tower before its market launch.
Gearless testing in the tower.
RQ-A Speed governor in Montanari Tower.
From 2015 to 2020, Montanari went through a total reorganisation of the product range, launching the new escalator gearboxes line, new gearless machines, a new model of speed governor and introducing new motor for gearbox units.
Technology always first: in 2019, the Montanari App is launched, under the unparalleled guidance of Alberto Mantovani, aims to give complete support to customers in terms of product management from delivery to installation and maintenance. Get to know all APP features.
In 2023 Montanari was the first industry player to develop and patent a IOT solution for predictive maintenance, our IOT BUTTERFLY, a unique tool to be installed on our gearless to monitor elevator systems and provide alerts on maintenance requirements.
For our 50years anniversary, we launched a new gearbox, M105, a new milestone with unparalleled technical performance to give lift operators new possibilities for extraordinary projects. Discover the new M105.
Modernization of escalators with Montanari gearbox.
New gearless range for complete systems.
Montanari gearboxes with the new motor designed to improve performance even further.
Gearless running in one of the test benches. All machines are tested at maximum load before delivery.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Step by step we have retraced together our first 55 years: quite a long path from a small garage to today worldwide presence.
This anniversary is dedicated to all the people who contributed to our history and Company growth – especially to Giulio Montanari and Orianna Benetti for inaugurating the project and inspiring it daily with their Vision and Dedication.
A relentless growth made possible by Ethics, Expertise and Passion – the daily enthusiasm and relentless commitment of all our Employees to overcome new challenges and get to next goals.