Specialists in the design and production of IMO certified furniture, foam, fabric, and leather, Morbid Line Italy operates within the cruise and hospitality industry, focusing primarily on newbuild and refurbishment projects. Boasting more than 40 years’ experience, all furniture created by Morbid Line is produced, designed, and upholstered in-house. Ahead of Cruise Ship Interiors Expo, where Morbid Line will be exhibiting, we caught up with Filippo Piccinini, the brand’s Sales Manager.
Hi Filippo, thanks for speaking with the Cruise Ship Interiors Expo team today! Could you tell us about your role within Morbid Line?
Morbid Line Group is a family business, where I am the Sales Manager. In my role, I work directly with Stefania, who is our agent in the US. I also work closely with Stefano, our Project Manager.
Morbid Line is known for creating high quality, custom furniture to suit a variety of needs, catering to the hotel, residential, and restaurant sectors. How long has Morbid Line been operating within the cruise sector and what made the company venture into the marine world in the first place?
Morbid Line has been working in the cruise industry for more than 15 years, for the most part operating as a sub-contractor and supplying a wide range of loose furniture for cabins, suites and public areas. We’ve been working in the background for so long and, with so many new ship orders and refurbishments in place, we wanted to move towards the industry’s forefront.
At the design stage, it is vital to take into consideration the piece of furniture’s location and function, especially inside ship cabins, where, unlike hotel rooms, space needs to be optimized up to the last square inch.
Can you tell us what goes into the design process when creating furniture for a marine environment? Are there any differences between supplying to a land-based hotel versus an ocean-going passenger ship?
At the design stage, it is vital to take into consideration the piece of furniture’s location and function, especially inside ship cabins, where, unlike hotel rooms, space needs to be optimized up to the last square inch.
Understanding [the client’s] needs is the key to a successful business and a relationship based on trust and excellent customer service.
What was the most interesting, unique or surprising design brief you’ve received when working on a cruise vessel?
For the past several years our “Space-saving Sofa Beds” collection has been very successful. In addition, our new “Bunk-Sofa Bed” has already been installed on several ships from three of the world’s major cruise lines. Working directly with the designers and the owners, understanding their and their client’s needs is the key to a successful business and a relationship based on trust and excellent customer service.
Do you have a favourite item from any of Morbid Line’s marine collections? If so, what is it and why?
Yes, our newcomer, the “Bunk Sofa Bed”. It’s a comfortable sofa which is able to convert into two bunk beds, while at the same time, saving space in the cabin. With the success of this product so far, we will be proud to showcase it at Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Miami.
Using just three words, how would you describe the cruise industry today?
Always evolving forward.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone hoping to supply to the cruise market?
You must dedicate your time to support clients in delivering the right solution, lead time, and, of course, customer service. Service is the key and, at Morbid Line, we want to be available to respond quickly to any inquiries or requests. This is why we have representatives in the US and Italy. Stefania, our US representative, works closely with all our American clients. She understands our clients’ needs, helping me with the sale and offering exceptional support during the delivery. Stefano, our project manager in Italy, is responsible for product installation on the ship itself. Both Stefania and Stefano help me to provide customer service post-sale. Overall, I want to be certain that every piece has been delivered on time and that we have respected and even exceeded our client’s expectation.
Finally, what are you most looking forward to at the inaugural Cruise Ship Interiors Expo in Miami this June?
My main aim will be to greet all our clients and friends at our booth and why not make some new connections with cruise lines and designers in the process?