In 1938, Francesco Urbani opened an upholstery workshop in Gemona del Friuli, laying the foundations for an entrepreneurial venture destined to grow. The business was temporarily suspended due to the war.

Nel 1951 il laboratorio riapre. Nascono le prime sedie con struttura in legno e metallo, e nel 1954 l’azienda espone alla Fiera della Casa Moderna di Udine. Nel 1958 la poltrona Elena, disegnata dall’Arch. Gianni Avon, vince il primo premio alla Triennale di Milano.

In 1963, Francesco Urbani officially founded Polflex with his wife Maria and their sons Remigio and Attilio. New materials such as leather were experimented with, and collections designed by architects and designers began to take shape, with a growing focus on contemporary design.

In the 1970s, the company expanded its production and introduced increasingly sophisticated models. The 1976 earthquake destroyed the factory, but just a year later, on 6 May 1977, the new headquarters in Artegna was inaugurated, a testament to strength and resilience.

Exclusive production in leather begins with the arrival of the second generation. Many products, such as chairs 804 and 712 and the Innovation 716 bench, receive prestigious international awards, including accolades from the Roscoe Resource Council in New York.

The company continued to stand out for its artisanal quality and the use of fine materials such as wenge, brass, and die-cast aluminium. The Epico collection was launched, marking a further evolution in Polflex’s style.

Collaborations with prominent architects such as Gianfranco Frattini and Veronica Balutto were established. Furniture pieces with unmistakable design, such as Island, Airone, and Olympia, were created, where leather and metal coexist in perfect aesthetic and functional harmony.

The production expanded to include new lines of armchairs, desks, and tables upholstered in leather, such as the London, Athena, Mythos, Wien, and Socrates collections. Attention to detail and manufacturing excellence remain central to every project.

Today, Polflex is a family-run company now in its third generation, continuing to celebrate Italian design, craftsmanship, and the use of fine materials. Every creation tells a story of passion, innovation, and an appreciation for beauty.