As the Latin saying goes, “nomen omen”, destiny is in the name. Frama itself carries the family story: it stands for Fratelli Marelli, embodying decades of tradition, craftsmanship and generational continuity. Founded as a small workshop in the 1960s, it grew alongside the Brianza furniture district, evolving from an artisan’s lab into a company capable of taking Italian design across borders. Today, Alessandro and Marco Marelli continue this journey, turning continuity between generations into more than just a family matter: it is a working philosophy that reflects the entire local industry. From the first rented workshops to the move into a new hub in Cantù, Frama has adapted to market shifts, moving from serial wardrobes to modular bookcases and eventually to bespoke interiors, where every detail becomes a dialogue with architects and clients.
From left: Marco, Domenico and Alessandro Marelli.
Frama’s path mirrors not just a business trajectory but the Dna of a whole manufacturing system built on flexibility. At every stage, traditional know-how has gone hand in hand with openness to new tools: from freehand sketches to early modular techniques, and now to advanced digital solutions that allow highly customized projects to be developed and shared among multiple stakeholders. This is where TopSolid enters the picture: adopted not just as a technical tool but as a natural extension of a philosophy that has always blended tradition with innovation.
If design is Alessandro’s domain, strategy and business development are overseen by Marco Marelli. “We’re a lean team, about ten people across production and offices, yet every project still carries the mark of craftsmanship. The bench carpenter remains central, because every piece is tested and refined before delivery. That’s our true strength, it hasn’t changed over the years, despite everything else evolving. On the commercial side, the geography of our markets shows how the company has changed: Milan was our core for years, then Monte Carlo opened the door to international growth. That market is still important, though more competitive today. Once clients invested in a ‘home for life’. Now they prefer to spend less and renovate after a few years. That’s pushed us to complement classic styles with a more modern approach, where precision machinery is as essential as the artisan’s hand”.
So who is the typical Frama client today?
“Our client – Marco continues – is less often the individual and more often the architecture studio, involving us in high-end projects. With our structure we can manage apartments up to 400 square meters, while for larger projects we take the role of general contractor, coordinating other firms. This marks a fundamental change: collaboration. In the past each company guarded its work jealously, but now we support one another. This network enables us to tackle complex projects without compromising quality.
This shift in mindset has been reinforced by technology, with more efficient, high-performing tools that simplify processes and deliver greater precision. Modern digital solutions allow us to connect design and production more closely, making collaboration among companies, studios and partners smoother, as we’ve done in our work with TopSolid. That’s what lets us handle complex projects while maintaining the precision and quality we’re known for”.
How has adopting TopSolid changed your work?
“We introduced TopSolid in 2022, and for us it was a real generational leap”, explains Alessandro Marelli. “We moved from a 2D approach, useful for simpler jobs, to a 3D environment that reveals issues we couldn’t see before and allows us to design what would have been impossible with traditional cad, such as curved furniture or large-scale projects. The modularity of the software saves time and reduces errors, while the direct link to the machines ensures continuity from design to production. Beyond the technical side, the real difference has been service: quick, skilled support that keeps production running even in complex situations”.
“TopSolid Wood is designed specifically to optimize production”, adds Andrea Piccinelli, TopSolid product manager. “Every element created in 3D can be instantly transformed into drawings, bills of materials, cutting lists and machine programs. This makes the project the core of the entire process: fewer errors, faster lead times, and close control from the first idea through to delivery. The 2025 release, coming in September, will introduce further improvements in parametric functions and workflow management, making it even easier to manage complex, customized projects.
Alongside software upgrades, one thing we consider fundamental is consistent service in training and support. Companies adopting TopSolid face an inevitable learning curve, and it’s natural to need guidance in the early stages. That’s why we offer dedicated courses, remote support and rapid intervention, ensuring clients can stay productive from day one. We’ve invested heavily here, because we know that when a project stops, production stops. Our strength lies in ensuring operational continuity and guiding companies through a digital transformation that goes beyond purchasing software, it’s about evolving their production model with precision and maximum flexibility”.
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