History

The history of Epta. A specialist in the production of refrigerated counters, innovative products with low environmental impact

Origins and growth

Luigi-Nocivelli

The Epta Group was founded by visionary Italian entrepreneur, Luigi Nocivelli. In the aftermath of the Second World War, Luigi began his career in his father’s small workshop before going on to transform it into Ocean, a leading electrical appliance manufacturer.

He became CEO of Ercole Marelli in the Seventies, and it was there that he began to nurture the dream of reviving Italy’s electromechanical industry. This was followed by two decades in which he notched up a string of successes and built his home appliance empire.

His mettle and entrepreneurial flair helped him overcome the obstacles life put in his way. Proof positive of these qualities is the Epta Group (from the Greek ἐπτά, meaning “seven”), which he founded in 2003: forged around the symbolic value of his family and seven children, the Epta Group saw Luigi Nocivelli as its first Chairman.

It was a long journey which started out in a small town near Brescia in Northern Italy, but would eventually take the Epta Group around the globe.

Today the baton has been placed in the hands of the second generation. Marco Nocivelli follows in the founder’s footsteps as he guides Epta forward. Order, humility, delegation, resilience and the ability to hand over the reins: all are cornerstone values at Epta, an edifice whose solid foundations will continue to sustain its growth.

Acquisitions timeline
1986
COSTAN
Epta Italia
1987
BONNET NÉVÉ
Epta France
1996
COSTAN MARKET
Epta Argentina
1997
BKT
Epta Deutschland
1999
GEORGE BARKER
Epta UK
2008
EUROCRYOR
Epta Italia
2011
MISA
Epta Italia
2013
PORTA NUOVA
Epta Pacifico SUR
2013
IARP
Epta Italia
2014
COLD SERVICE
Epta UK
2015
KNUDSEN KØLING
Denmark
2017
KING RICHARD SHOP SYSTEM INC
Epta Philippines
2017
LIBRE
Epta Polska
2019
DAAS
Epta Romania
2019
KYSOR WARREN
Epta US and Mexico
2019
SOFRICO
New Caledonia
2019
LINUS ECO
Epta Polska
2021
Eurocold
Epta Portugal
2021
VPP (Epta Chile)
Chile
2021
Epta Suomi
Finland
2023
Viessmann Refrigeration Solutions
Epta Central Northern Europe
2023
Heifo
Epta Central Northern Europe
2024
Misa
Sale of brand

Epta Today

Today Epta is a multinational enterprise which specialises in commercial refrigeration. Globally it sustains a strong competitive lead, striking the right balance between geographical location and business lines. A lead achieved through its brands, all leaders in their respective refrigeration segments, and the coverage afforded by the 40 technical and commercial sites it owns outright. The Group’s development plan fosters both internal and external growth. It rests on three pillars: acquiring companies which complement the Group’s core business, entering new countries, and consolidating existing partnerships.

epta-green

Looking to the future

At Epta we strive to enhance our customers' performance. To achieve this goal, we have to offer the most gratifying consumer experience with the lowest possible environmental impact. Our innovative products, services and processes promote the circular economy and environmental sustainability, in line with the ground-breaking objectives of the Green Deal. All of which translates into: - Investments for introducing and adopting systems that reduce the Group’s environmental impact, stimulating even greater use of renewable energy. - Developing and implementing solutions that use natural refrigerants with a low GWP.