Our History
Discover the History of the Celada Group: A Story of Achievement, Success and Innovation
The foundation
R.F. Celada was founded in 1938 by Riccardo and Francesco Celada, with the aim of securing dealerships for the sale of machine tools in Italy.
The post-war period
After the Second World War, business resumed with great vigour and the company focused on sourcing machine tools from foreign markets.
The second generation
In 1951, Giovanni Celada, in his early twenties, joined the company and quickly became its indispensable leader. With him came a growing need to expand into new markets. Mr Giovanni’s total commitment and his natural inclination towards progress ensured that Celada became Europe’s largest company in the machine tool sector.
The move to Milan
In 1964, R.F. Celada moved to Via Morgagni in Milan, whilst the technical support, machine set-up and testing centre was opened in Vignate.
The Italian branches
The company’s business success led it to expand its coverage across the country more extensively with the opening of new branches in Turin, Florence, Brescia and Bologna.
The 1980s and the Japanese choice
In the early 1980s, with the arrival of Guido Celada, the company decided to include the Japanese firms Okuma and Sodick in its catalogue, with whom the first commercial agreements were signed for the sale of machine tools.
The Cologno Monzese headquarters
The decade cemented R.F. Celada’s success with the move to the prestigious headquarters in Cologno Monzese, on the outskirts of Milan.
International expansion
Celada France was established in 1994, followed in 2008 by the Dubai subsidiary. The international expansion continued with the opening of offices in Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Saudi Arabia.
Haassieme
Celada becomes the exclusive distributor in Italy for the Haas brand, the leading machine tool manufacturer in the West and synonymous with innovation at the highest level.
The French expansion
Celada acquires Codem, becoming the exclusive distributor of Okuma products in France as well. With this move, it consolidates its presence in the region, initially with an office in Paris and subsequently in Annecy; currently, is the operational headquarters in the country.
Celada celebrates its 80th anniversary
A long history of success, quality and continuous innovation. Many pages have been written, but many more are yet to be written.
Celada celebrates its 85th anniversary
To celebrate this anniversary, Guido and Mila Celada have joined the “Adopt a spire. Carve your name into history” project, supporting the restoration of Milan Cathedral. This gesture is a tangible way of demonstrating their commitment to preserving the city’s cultural heritage and contributing to the safeguarding of its timeless beauty.