MERCURY S.r.l.

Company

MERCURY, is one of the first cutleries founded in Maniago after the Second World War and it boasts over 60 years of tradition in the production of knives.

The actual MERCURY’s production extendes  in different market segments.
Historically present in the selling section of “sport & outdoor cutlery” with a wide range of multi-purpose penknives.
More than 30 years ago, MERCURY invented “MICO” the “collecting mushroom knife” to fulfill the expectation of the mycologue passionates. Very soon “MICO”, which became very popular, had been imitated by many competitors.
In the German market Mercury is the protagonist with the “folding tasting knife” and the calssic “multi-purpose hunting knives”.
In the diving knives branch, MERCURY was the first factory in italy to get the technology for the production of TITANIUM blades suppling with its products the European and Worlwide leader companies.
The factory is also well known as a manufacturer of blades for special industrial purposes upon customer’s design.
In the household field MERCURY is activating a product policy targetted on the differentiation of its offer in creating new knife supports and different set compositions together with the addition of correlated new articles (see also “The celler”).
Professional cutlery is also another important production branch. Furthermore, MERCURY supplies a precise and punctual “sharpening service” for all professionals needs.
 
These are the most importanta steps in our history:

1919: Attilio Del Ben, the founder of the cutlery factory which in the future would be named "MERCURY", was born.
1946: Attilio, who recently came home from the battle fields of the 2nd World War, alternatively to the work in the family farms, started the workmanship production of the “stiletto” flick knife and sporting folding knives, deriving from the ancient experience matured by Maniago’s handcrafts where the work of iron and the construction of armoury and agricultural tools had been developing since the “Venice Republic” domination.
1950: Attilio in co-operation with a partner, enlarges the old laboratory (initially one little room in the family house) specializing his production in one of the most difficult branches: the construction of folding pocket knives and multi-purpose folding knives. Even if a lot of knives were produced for different dealers, the products directly sold by Attilio were marked “Delcima” or “Brillante”.
1960: New wider premises were built and extended in the next few years to make room for the new equipment and machinery which was introduced step by step.
1968: Attilio merges all the business and proceeds with the creation of a new trade mark “D.B.A.F. – Maniago”
1968: Franco (the older son) becomes a partner after gaining profound experience in production and its organization as an employee.
1976: Sergio (the second son) becomes partner after he completes his technical studies.
1978: A new distinguishing emblem was introduced (an “M” inside a shield to symbolize “Maniago” ) which was printed on the handle of the knives.
1984: The necessity to have a trade mark which would give personality to the production, became even more fundamental day by day. For this reason the name MERCURY was affiliated to the shield with the “M” inside, to underline the company philosophy: devotion towards the future and innovation. Later on, MERCURY would become the company name.
1994: MERCURY buys the trade mark “Noxa” together with all the machinery and equipment for the production of the miniature folding pocket knives.
1997: MERCURY buys the trade mark “Zodiac” together with all the machinery and equipment for the production of kitchen and professional knives and cheese cutters.
1998: MERCURY builds wider new premises located in the handcraft & industrial area in Maniago in order to have an adequate space for the new production requirements in the respect of the safety prevention and a better access to road networks.
1999: After some years of research and experimentation Mercury begins – the first company in Italy – the production of titanium blades.
2000: MERCURY achieves the “Quality Management System Certification ISO 9001/2000” a guarantee to its customers of the persevering control of the production process and services.
2004: MERCURY uses its knowhow and technologies to specialize in the production of blades and industrial cutting components made upon customer’s design for different branches (agricultural, diving, food processing...)
2005: MERCURY achieves the “QM” (Maniago Quality) certification for the kitchen & professional knives and cheese cutters with the perspective to extend it to all the cutting products.
2006: Nicola Del Ben, grandchild of the factory founder  Attilio, had been appointed. A new web site was established making of MERCURY one  of the cutleries with the widest catalogue to look up online.
2008: After two years of training inside the factory itself, Nicola  becomes part of the company management board.
2010: Enrichment of the collection with the introduction of new kitchen and gift items and new  equipped “mobile kitchen” (trolley) to be used in the open air. A close cooperation  starts  with  the “Unione Cuochi Friuli Venezia Giulia” (Friuli Venezia Giulia Cooks Association) – Mr. Germano Pontoni, president
2012: The Internet image is completely renewed; a new on line catalogue featuring high quality images and detailed descriptions is available together with an automated “enquiring” and “ordering” system.
 

2018: Mercury is a partner of the working-net MIKITA with Fox, Lionsteel, Tecnocut-Viper.