Cesar Kitchens Regains Full Family Ownership

New GM Maurizio Vianello joins to drive growth and global expansion for the luxury kitchen brand.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:09pm

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Cesar Kitchens, a renowned Italian kitchen design company, has regained 100% ownership by the founding Cester family after the passing of its primary shareholding partner Michele Della Libera. The company has also appointed former Valcucine CEO Maurizio Vianello as its new general manager to accelerate growth and consolidate the brand's positioning in key markets.

Why it matters

Cesar Kitchens is a well-established luxury kitchen brand that has been recognized for its innovative, modular kitchen designs. The return to full family ownership and the appointment of an experienced industry executive signals the company's commitment to expanding its global footprint and solidifying its position in the high-end kitchen market.

The details

Sante Cester founded Cesar Kitchens in 1969 in Pramaggiore, near Venice. After Della Libera's passing, his shares were left to Gina Cester, the daughter of the company's founder. Cesar also appointed Maurizio Vianello, the former CEO of design kitchen firm Valcucine, as its new general manager to drive the company's growth and global presence. In 2025, the North American market represented 15% of Cesar's total turnover, and exports outside of Italy accounted for 60% of its revenue.

  • Cesar Kitchens was founded in 1969 by Sante Cester.
  • In December 2025, primary shareholder Michele Della Libera passed away, leaving his shares to Gina Cester.
  • On March 17, 2026, Cesar Kitchens announced that it had regained 100% ownership by the Cester family.

The players

Sante Cester

The founder of Cesar Kitchens, who established the company in 1969 and gained recognition for its vibrant, modular kitchen designs.

Gina Cester

The daughter of Sante Cester and the current CEO of Cesar Kitchens, who has regained 100% ownership of the company after the passing of its primary shareholder.

Maurizio Vianello

The new general manager of Cesar Kitchens, who previously served as the CEO of design kitchen firm Valcucine and has held executive roles in the design, food service equipment, and home appliance sectors.

Michele Della Libera

The primary shareholding partner of Cesar Kitchens who passed away in December 2025, leaving his shares to Gina Cester.

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What they’re saying

“With Maurizio's arrival, a new phase begins: his experience will allow us to reinforce our organization and processes, leveraging the passion of our people and the significant investments made to date. I am pleased and look ahead with confidence.”

— Gina Cester, CEO, Cesar Kitchens (wwd.com)

What’s next

Cesar Kitchens is expected to focus on accelerating its global growth and consolidating its brand positioning in key markets, such as North America and India, under the leadership of new GM Maurizio Vianello.

The takeaway

The return of Cesar Kitchens to full family ownership and the appointment of an experienced industry executive as the new GM signals the company's commitment to expanding its global footprint and solidifying its position as a leading luxury kitchen brand. This move aligns with the company's history of innovation and design excellence, as it seeks to capitalize on growing demand for high-end kitchen solutions worldwide.