Tradition, innovation, and quality in Neon Signs

In the world of illiminated signs, few names resonate with the same authority and reliability as Neonlauro. Founded over half a century ago, the company has become a landmark in the visual communication sector thanks to a history built on passion, commitment, and continuous technological innovation. Let’s take a look back at the key milestones of this extraordinary Italian company that, starting from small artisanal productions, evolved to become a leader both nationally and internationally.

The Origins: Lauro Piaia and the Birth of Neonlauro. A Craftsmanship Vision

Neonlauro‘s story began in the 1950s, a time when Italy was recovering from the post-war difficulties. In a growing economic context, craftsmanship and creativity were fundamental drivers of recovery. It was in this context that Neonlauro was born, thanks to the intuition and dedication of those who saw the potential of neon signs as an innovative communication tool.

In 1956, Lauro Piaia embarked on a bold and new path by starting his own business and founding Neonlauro, a small family-run artisan workshop located in San Vendemiano, in the province of Treviso. These were the years when the neon bending technology was rapidly developing, thanks to the extraordinary manual craftsmanship characteristic of this region of northern Italy.

From the beginning, Neonlauro stood out for its skill in shaping neon, transforming simple light tubes into true works of art and visual communication tools. Every creation took shape through the expert hands of Lauro Piaia. In the early years, the company focused on the artisanal production of neon signs, crafted with skill and attention to detail. The ability to manually work glass to create durable, glowing neon tubes combined with an innate ability to understand customer needs, providing tailored and high-quality solutions.

Growth and Evolution: The 1960s and 1970s

In the 1960s and 1970s, Neonlauro began to make a name for itself beyond local boundaries. Thanks to the reliability of its illuminated signs, the company gained a reputation for excellence and quality. These were years of strong economic growth in Italy, during which many new businesses emerged and developed: shops, bars, cinemas, hotels. In this context, neon signs became an iconic symbol of modernity.

Neonlauro, with its ability to innovate and anticipate market trends, managed to establish itself as a preferred supplier for many commercial establishments. Its customized, luminous signs became true branding tools, contributing to the visibility and success of its clients.

During these decades, the company began to expand its team, training specialized professionals and increasing production capacity. At the same time, new technologies and processing techniques were introduced, while maintaining the craftsmanship that characterized each project.

The 1980s and 1990s: The Boom of Visual Communication

The 1980s and 1990s marked a turning point for Neonlauro. The visual communication market was continuously expanding, and neon signs became an essential element for businesses and brands that wanted to stand out and attract consumer attention.

During this period, Neonlauro introduced new lighting technologies, integrating LED lighting with neon. The company’s ability to blend tradition and innovation became its hallmark. Every project resulted from a perfect balance between artisanal expertise and cutting-edge technology, elements that allowed Neonlauro to further consolidate its leadership in the sector.

The Evolution of the Company: From Neon to New Technologies

Over the years, Neonlauro continued to grow while maintaining its artisanal roots. After nearly 60 years, the company is still located on the hills behind Venice, in the same territory where its tradition was born.

Today, Neonlauro has gone through the first generational shift, but the original spirit of attention to craftsmanship and product care has never changed. Even today, it remains an artisanal reality, with its strength lying in the deep knowledge of materials, manual ingenuity, and the ability to turn ideas into concrete objects.

Over time, its expertise and production techniques have expanded to meet the needs of a constantly evolving market. Today, productions are carried out using innovative technologies and materials: LED, fluorescent lamps, polycarbonate, methacrylate, ABS, vinyl, aluminum, brass, steel, and iron.

This adaptability has allowed Neonlauro to become a benchmark in the illuminated signs sector, combining innovation and tradition.

First Love: Neon

Despite technological innovations, neon remains the first love. Neonlauro firmly believes in its timeless beauty, as it has the ability to transform spaces and objects into something extraordinary. The company will therefore continue to promote and support it through any initiative that encourages its rediscovery and new creative applications.

Looking to the Future: Innovation, Sustainability, and Tradition

Attention to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency is becoming a priority for both businesses and consumers. Neonlauro embraces this new challenge with determination.

To find an alternative to mercury, the company invests in green technologies and sustainable materials, developing low environmental impact lighting solutions. The greeNeon mercury-free patent is filed, and the neon signs, a historic symbol of the brand, are now complemented by systems that ensure significant energy savings without compromising quality and brightness.

Today, Neonlauro is a consolidated company that successfully combines tradition and innovation, looking to the future with curiosity and exploring new technologies and materials to offer cutting-edge lighting solutions.

The story of this company is made of dedication, craftsmanship, and creativity, but above all, it is a story of people: from Lauro Piaia, who started everything with passion and courage, to Raimondo Piaia, Lauro’s son, who continued the tradition, to all the collaborators and clients who continue to believe in its projects. The commitment to sustainability is also realized through the attention to maintenance and the conservation restoration of vintage illuminated signs, an area in which Neonlauro excels due to its decades of experience.

Neonlauro is not just a name, but a symbol of excellence in the world of light. And as the world changes, the company remains faithful to its mission: turning ideas into light.

Today’s Reality: Excellence and Customization. Today, Neonlauro is synonymous with excellence and customization in the illuminated signage industry. The company offers tailor-made solutions for every client, combining innovative design, high-quality materials, and cutting-edge technologies. Every project is meticulously crafted to meet the specific needs of each client, whether it’s for a small business or large international brands.

Among the services offered, the following stand out:

• Personalized consulting
• Graphic and technical design
• Artisan and technological production of signs
• Installation and maintenance of lighting solutions
• Management of authorization procedures
• Conservation restoration of historical signs

The company continues to distinguish itself for its customer-oriented approach and its ability to transform every idea into a bright and visually impactful reality.

Neonlauro’s Philosophy: Working with Light

For Neonlauro, working with light is much more than a profession: it is a passion. Every light source and material has an ideal application. The work philosophy is based on a careful and customized design process, beginning with an analysis of the client’s needs and objectives.

Each project is a creative challenge, an opportunity to experiment and innovate. Light is not just functional: it is emotion, art, and visual communication.

Collaborations with Artists: Art Meets Light

Neonlauro has always sought to go beyond the boundaries of traditional craftsmanship, collaborating with internationally renowned artists and creatives. Working with artists represents the natural development of their philosophy. It is a constant challenge to grow with the honor of collaborating with prestigious artists and galleries, including:

Matteo Attruia, Matteo Basilè, Wolfgang Berkowski, Blue&Joy, Pier Paolo Calzolari, Ali Cherri, Matteo Cibic, Mohamed El Baz, Seamus Farrell, Claire Fontaine, Laurent Grasso, Mohssin Harraki, Joseph Kosuth, Marcello Maloberti, Sanna Marander, Federica Marangoni, Fondazione Merz, Marzia Migliora, Marco Milan, Ivan Navarro, Maria Papadimitriou, Antonio Piccirilli, Younès Rahmoun, David Renggli, Anna Scalfi Eghenter, Marco Scifo, Tavares Strachan, Martin Pascal Tayou, Nico Vascellari, James Webb, Lorenzo Vitturi, and many other artists whose vision has transformed our work into artworks exhibited in the world’s most important museums and galleries.

Projects: From Venice to the World

Neonlauro’s creations have traveled all over the world, illuminating prestigious spaces and iconic locations, collaborating with institutions, galleries, and international events, including:

The Venice Biennale, Louvre – Paris, 21er Haus – Wien, Acca Gallery – Melbourne, Amfar – New York, Arco – Madrid, Art Basel – Basilea – Miami – Hong Kong, Art First – Bologna, Art for the World – Milano – Geneve, Art Institute of Chicago, Artissima – Turin, Bibliotèque Nationale de France – Paris, Casa Encendida – Madrid, Christie’s – London, Council of state  – Den Haag, Edinburgh International Fetival – Edinburgh, Fiac – Paris, Fluxum – Geneve, Kadist Fondazione  – Paris, Querini Stampalia Fondazione   – Venice, Volume Foundation  – Roma, Galleria Almine Rech – Paris – Bruxelles, Anna Schwartz Gallery  – Sidney – Melbourne, Ben Brown Gallery – London, Dorothea Van Der Koelen Gallery  – Venice – Mainz, Gmurzynska Gallery – Zurich, Juana De Aizpuru Gallery  – Madrid, Kargl Gallery  – Wien, Imane Fares Gallery – Paris, Lia Rumma Gallery – Milano – Naples, Maggiore Gallery  – Bologna, Paola Colombari Gallery – Milano, Sean Kelly Gallery – New York, Sprueth Magers Gallery – London – Berlin, Vistamare Gallery – Pescara, Guggenheim Museum – New York, Hangar Bicocca – Milano, Haus Konstruktiv – Zurich, Hotel Des Arts – Toulon, Kunst Halle – Sankt Gallen, MAC Musée d’Art Contemporain – Marseille, Macro – Rome, Maison Rouge – Paris, Moderna Museet – Stockholm, Bilotti Museum  – Rome, Coleccao Berardo Museum  – Lisbon, Palazzo Bembo – Venice, Palazzo Fabroni – Pistoia, Palazzo Zenobio – Venice, Plart   – Napoli, Sotheby’s – London – New York – Paris, Talbot Rice Gallery – University of Edinburgh, T.A.M.A – Athens.

Clients: Working with the Best

Neonlauro’s focus on quality and reliability has enabled it to collaborate with companies of all sizes and sectors. Among the clients are:

3 Store, ABC Caffè, Apice, Treviso Airport, Venice Airport, Banca Intesa, Banco Popolare Di Verona and Novara, Bipop Carire, Birra Castello, Bosch, Breda Caffè, Bristot Caffè, C&A, Caffè Carraro, Caffè Vero, Cassa Di Risparmio Del Veneto, Chateau D’Ax, Citroen, CMA, Credito Cooperativo Delle Prealpi, Dersut Caffè, Diemme Caffè, Electrolux, Excelsior Caffè, Goppion Caffè, Heineken, Illy, Irinox, Julius Meinl, Kiribiri Caffè, La Coloniali, Martini e Rossi-Grey Goose, Melissa, Miko Coffee, Mokarabia, Moschino, Pellini, Permasteelisa, Primigi, Scavolini, Segafredo, Tecnica, Think Pink, TIM, Tonino Lamborghini, Veneta Nastri, Wind.

These collaborations represent the trust that major companies place in Neonlauro, trust built on years of commitment, professionalism, and passion.

Conclusion

The story of Neonlauro is an example of how passion, expertise, and innovation can transform a small craft business into a successful company. From 1956 to today, the company has evolved, adapted to market changes, and anticipated the needs of clients, always maintaining a focus on quality and detail.

Today, Neonlauro is not just a producer of light signs, but a reliable partner for those who want to stand out with visually impactful solutions. Its story continues to shine like its signs, illuminating the past, present, and future of visual communication.