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ALU

ALU is an Italian company headquartered in Bassano del Grappa, specialising in the development of modular display systems for the retail sector. Its origins lie in photography: in 1987, photographer and entrepreneur Lino Manfrotto observed that New York retailers were using the Autopole system — originally developed for photo studios and film sets — in shop windows and store interiors. This observation led to the decision to position the product specifically for the retail market; ALU subsequently opened its first showroom in New York.

The core Autopole system is a clamp-based, height-adjustable aluminium support pole that, combined with Super Clamp accessories, can be configured into freestanding displays, shop shelving systems, trade fair constructions and window installations. In November 2009, the Committee of Architecture and Design at MoMA New York added both the Autopole and the Super Clamp to the museum's permanent collection. ALU describes its products as modular "building blocks" which are today complemented in the Shop-ALU programme by a selected range of further minimalist retail fixtures. Reference markets are photo studio, video/film, theatre and retail.

For architects and store designers, ALU is relevant when flexible, low-maintenance and visually discreet modular systems are required for shop fittings, trade fair construction and retail presentations — backed by MoMA collection status.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALU

ALU is an Italian company headquartered in Bassano del Grappa, specialising in the development of modular display systems for the retail sector. Its origins lie in photography: in 1987, photographer and entrepreneur Lino Manfrotto observed that New York retailers were using the Autopole system — originally developed for photo studios and film sets — in shop windows and store interiors. This observation led to the decision to position the product specifically for the retail market; ALU subsequently opened its first showroom in New York.

The core Autopole system is a clamp-based, height-adjustable aluminium support pole that, combined with Super Clamp accessories, can be configured into freestanding displays, shop shelving systems, trade fair constructions and window installations. In November 2009, the Committee of Architecture and Design at MoMA New York added both the Autopole and the Super Clamp to the museum's permanent collection. ALU describes its products as modular "building blocks" which are today complemented in the Shop-ALU programme by a selected range of further minimalist retail fixtures. Reference markets are photo studio, video/film, theatre and retail.

For architects and store designers, ALU is relevant when flexible, low-maintenance and visually discreet modular systems are required for shop fittings, trade fair construction and retail presentations — backed by MoMA collection status.