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EMU Cabla Ecksofa mit Couchtischen auf einer Terrasse am Meer

Marsciano · since 1951

EMU Garden furniture in steel and aluminium from Italy

EMU is an Italian manufacturer of outdoor furniture in steel and aluminium, founded in 1951 in Marsciano, Umbria. Production still takes place in its own factory in Marsciano, with designs by Christophe Pillet, Patricia Urquiola and Paola Navone, among others. Garten-Stuhl offers EMU with a studio in Rostock; our landscape architects plan terraces, gardens and hospitality spaces with you.

01Origins

From radio technology to the garden chair

EMU stands for Elettro-Meccanica Umbra. The company was founded in 1951 in Marsciano by the brothers Aldo and Angelo Biscarini together with Dante Menconi. It first built equipment for military radio communication. In the 1960s and 1970s EMU turned to furniture, first for schools and offices, then for the garden.

The Rio armchair was already sold as garden furniture in the sixties; in the early seventies two American buyers ordered it in large quantities. In 1984 EMU opened a new 50,000 square metre factory in Schiavo, where the furniture is still made today. In 1996 the Ronda chair followed as the successor to Rio.

All EMU collections

EMU Werk in Marsciano 1951 und 2021 im Vergleich
EMU Werk in Marsciano in Umbrien aus der Luft
The EMU factory in Marsciano, 1951 and today · Photos: EMU
EMU Twins Loungemöbel auf einer Terrasse in den Bergen

03Design

Designs by international designers

Since the mid-2000s EMU has worked with well-known designers, including Christophe Pillet, Rodolfo Dordoni, Paola Navone and Patricia Urquiola. In 2007 the Round, Heaven, Re-Trouvé and Nef collections appeared on the covers of major international magazines. Since May 2018 EMU has developed new models in its own Design & Simulation Centre next to the factory.

At Garten-Stuhl you will find, among others, Round by Christophe Pillet, Heaven by Jean-Marie Massaud, Re-Trouvé by Patricia Urquiola, Twins and Carousel by Sebastian Herkner, Yard by Stefan Diez and Ivy by Paola Navone.

All EMU collections

EMU Como Sofa und Heaven Loungesessel vor einer hellen Bogenwand
EMU Carousel Armlehnstühle am Heaven Tisch auf einer Poolterrasse
Como sofa with Heaven lounge chairs, Carousel at the Heaven table · Photos: EMU

The collections

EMU at Garten-Stuhl

View all EMU products

Garten-Stuhl showroom at Studio Rostock with a garden swing under a shade sail, a director's chair and project photos on the wall

Studio Rostock

Planned by landscape architects

Behind Garten-Stuhl is a landscape architecture practice that has been based in Rostock for more than twenty years. We plan gardens, terraces and hotel grounds – and choose furniture to suit the place: scale, light, material. In our studio at Bahnhofstraße 14 you can see fabrics, finishes and selected pieces in person.

For EMU we plan dining areas, lounge areas and shade for your site, from a balcony to a hotel terrace, and agree frame colours, fabrics and parasol sizes with you.

Frequently asked questions

Questions about EMU

Where can I buy EMU garden furniture in Germany?

At Garten-Stuhl: order online at garten-stuhl.eu or get advice in our studio in Rostock, Bahnhofstraße 14. We carry EMU chairs, tables, lounge furniture, loungers, parasols and accessories, plus matching cushions and covers.

Where is EMU furniture made?

EMU manufactures in its own factory in Marsciano, Umbria, where the company was founded in 1951. According to EMU, it supervises any steps carried out by suppliers itself.

What materials is EMU garden furniture made of?

Mainly steel and aluminium, both fully recyclable and non-combustible according to the manufacturer. Some collections add teak, upholstered pieces outdoor fabrics. EMU calls its surface protection “EMU-Coat”: a cataphoresis primer followed by a powder coating for outdoor use.

What warranty does EMU give?

EMU gives a two-year warranty against structural defects and penetrating rust, provided the rust does not come from scratches in use and cannot be removed with normal care. Improper use and lack of maintenance are excluded. The warranty is handled through the retailer, that is, through us.

How do I care for EMU furniture, and can it stay outside in winter?

EMU recommends water or a neutral cleaner and a soft cloth, more often in high humidity and by the sea. The furniture is weather-resistant; in winter and during long periods of non-use, EMU advises cleaning it and storing it sheltered or covering it.

How can you tell the quality of EMU furniture?

EMU has made metal furniture in its own factory since 1951 and primes steel and aluminium by cataphoresis before powder coating. According to EMU, every model is tested from design to the finished piece, and many collections are built for continuous use in hotels and restaurants. On top of that comes a two-year manufacturer warranty.

Which colours does EMU furniture come in?

Most models come in several frame colours, from white, black and antique iron to shades such as military green or spring green. The Star armchair, for example, is available in 19 frame colours. The colours of each model are shown in the colour selection on its product page.

Which designers work for EMU?

Among others Christophe Pillet, Patricia Urquiola, Paola Navone, Jean-Marie Massaud, Sebastian Herkner, Stefan Diez, Arik Levy and Jean Nouvel, plus the in-house studio EMU D&S Lab.

Are there matching cushions, and can they stay outdoors?

Yes. For chairs, armchairs and sofas you choose the matching EMU cushion directly in the “cushion” variant, in the fabrics of the current EMU collection. According to EMU the cushions are tested for outdoor use, UV-resistant and waterproof or quick-drying; in winter and during long rainy spells EMU recommends covers.

Are there covers for EMU furniture?

Yes, EMU offers polyester covers tailored to the models of each series. According to EMU they are meant for outdoor use but do not replace winter storage in a suitable room.

Can I get spare parts and touch-up paint for EMU furniture?

Yes, according to EMU spare parts such as foot caps and touch-up paint are obtained through the retailer. Tell us the model and colour or send a photo, and we will request the right part from EMU.

Is EMU furniture stackable?

Many chairs, armchairs and loungers are stackable; the Star armchair, for example, up to twelve high. Whether a model stacks is stated on its product page.

Is EMU furniture suitable for hotels and restaurants?

Yes, EMU makes furniture for hotels, restaurants, bars and public spaces. For projects we agree quantities, colours and fabrics with you and plan the space in our Rostock studio.