For over 40 years, we have blended tradition and innovation, combining the ancient craftsmanship of bronze with cutting-edge solutions to create works that define new frontier of design and architecture.
Astec was founded in 1983 thanks to a partnership between experts in metals and their processing, united by a strong passion for one of the most noble materials: bronze. A passion that has merged with a successful entrepreneurial idea: to work with architectural bronze, deeply understanding the artisanal technique, to create custom-made doors, windows and cladding with a refined and innovative design, enriched by a high intrinsic value.
The constant search for new treatments and finishes allows Astec to perfect its offer and propose unique products that anticipate and interpret market trends. At Astec, art and design are combined with technology and imagination: passion and expertise allow the company to extend its core business and range into the world of interior design, creating refined and unique furnishing elements, exclusive coverings and artistic details in bronze and brass.
Astec pursues its first project in Africa, creating parapets and stairs inside the UN building in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.
The importance of the assignments given to Astec increases, and it begins to actively cooperate with D.A.I. Design in the design and technical development of the most challenging realizations.
The same year saw the birth of ABX® – Astec Bronze eXtrusion, the range of architectural bronze profiles intended to embellish timeless works signed by world-renowned architects.
The first project in the United States, Natuzzi Headquarters, is realized: an iconic, landmark project that marks Natuzzi’s landing in the United States.
Moreover, Astec realizes the first project in the Middle East with the construction of the Synagogue in Tel Aviv designed by architect Mario Botta.
Astec acquires more and more skills and sets up an in-house technical department, thus strengthening its staff. The technical department will also be instrumental in the following years, enabling the company to successfully tackle very valuable projects.
Among the major technical innovations in the building industry, Astec includes the ABX® thermal break series for doors, windows and lift and slide.
The residential project in the Hamptons on Long Island (USA), featuring the use of “impact tested” (hurricane-proof) window and door frames carried out in the laboratory in Pennsilvanya according to American ASTM standards, is realized. These special curved sliding windows and doors in plan, equipped with a special system of inflatable gaskets, have successfully withstood several hurricanes over the years and are still installed and functioning today.
Astec enters the Asian market with the fabrication of windows, glass and doors at the Peninsula Hotel in Tokyo.
The new 9,600 sq. m. headquarters is opened, consisting of:
– offices and showroom on 3 floors (1,600 sq. m.)
– production area on 2 floors (8,000 sq. m.)
– company canteen and locker rooms (200 sq. m.)
Increased projects in the United States lead to theopening of the Astec USA branch in Sag Harbor, New York.
The same year saw the debut of the ABX® D45 series, the thinnest in the range, used in the “La Petite Afrique” project in the Principality of Monaco: it is a timely response to the need for a new, great brightness through wide mirrors and minimalist profiles, with color shades that from gold to black can express the warmth of the natural material.
Collaboration with Astec France begins, leading to increased work in the French market.
With the Central Bank of Malta project, the first version of the ABX® F90 fire door series is introduced and will be renewed in 2020.
A new line of interior doors created in collaboration with French architect Stèphane Parmentier is presented at Batimat in Paris.
The interior door line wins the “Call for Products 2018” competition sponsored by AIA ARCHITECT Magazine.
The ABX® J15 series for large sliding window lifts (including motorized) is born and is used for the first time in the Rolex Italia Headquarters.
In the Royal Mansour project in Casablanca, the ABX® B55 series for bulletproof windows and doors is used for the first time.
A 'project oriented' approach is increasingly being adopted through collaboration with internationally renowned designers and clients. Astec's proposal meets the architectural expression of the high-end world, responding with tailor-made realizations to exclusive and refined requests.
The engineering of its products requires parallel compliance with CE standards in Europe and ASTM in the USA, through a UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 certified production system and company quality processes.