The rebirth of Delta
The good news, which we all know by now, is that the Delta has resumed production and is back on the market.
The other good news is that it is once again under the management of Nino Marino, who founded Delta srl in 1982 and developed it throughout its 36 years of activity until its closure, making it a protagonist on the international pen market .
To find out more, I interviewed Nino Marino himself.
To find out more, I interviewed Nino Marino himself.
Nino Marino is well-known in the writing instrument world: born and raised in Naples, he is 66 years old, a life spent with pens and an innate entrepreneurial spirit.
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Susanna Buffo: In addition to the old Delta, your history includes the Nettuno and Maiora brands. How did that go?
Nino Marino: After Delta srl closed in 2017, I was contacted by the owners of the Nettuno 1911 brand (which at the time was managed by Aurora). I accepted this new challenge and began producing and distributing new collections of pens under the Nettuno 1911 brand, with the newly founded Maiora company . These were rarely distributed in Italy—by choice—and were marketed primarily to foreign markets. Maiora is a company born from a collaboration with a prominent Neapolitan entrepreneur in the luxury sector, who provided the necessary capital; it also produces a brand of pens.
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Susanna Buffo: And the new Delta?
Nino Marino: When Delta was put up for auction, a prominent Neapolitan luxury goods entrepreneur acquired ownership of the Delta and Markiaro brands, as well as the warehouse and all the equipment. He then asked me to manage it again—through the Maiora company.
The photo shows the historic Maiora team. From left: Gianfranco Raimo, Nino Marino, and Oksana Kit.
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Susanna Buffo: Now that you've taken over Delta, will you continue producing Maiora and Nettuno pens? Will they go in different directions or will they continue the aesthetic path they've established so far?
Nino Marino: Maiora can already be defined as a "Group." I've developed a major development plan for each individual brand: Maiora, Delta, Nettuno 1911, and Nino Marino Signature . Each individual brand will have its own distinct image, its own style, characterized by its own exclusive identity through iconic details and shapes, so as to be able to unmistakably distinguish itself and propose itself to its target consumer.
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Susanna Buffo: How do you see the future?
Nino Marino: The past year, 2022, ended with a truly impressive result, with growth of 370% compared to the previous year.
This achievement is the fruit of over forty years of experience in producing high-quality writing instruments, but it was also achieved through significant investments in new, highly technological machinery, as well as highly specialized human resources in precision micro-mechanics. We are currently able to produce everything in-house ; we do not outsource any processing phase; we operate the entire production cycle in-house, making us extremely flexible and able to satisfy any type of client.
This achievement is the fruit of over forty years of experience in producing high-quality writing instruments, but it was also achieved through significant investments in new, highly technological machinery, as well as highly specialized human resources in precision micro-mechanics. We are currently able to produce everything in-house ; we do not outsource any processing phase; we operate the entire production cycle in-house, making us extremely flexible and able to satisfy any type of client.
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Susanna Buffo: Even the nibs, internally?
Nino Marino: No, the nibs are made by Jowo . (Previously, the Delta nibs were Bock, and they were excellent, as long as Mr. Bock was in charge. Then, as sometimes happens in family businesses with generational changes, both the conditions and the quality changed.)
Jowo has fantastic nib supplies, currently the best nib manufacturer in the world (although they still need careful overhauling and expert tuning to achieve maximum end-user satisfaction).
Perhaps in the future—but with significant investment—we might consider producing nibs in-house; but I mean, truly producing them, all of them, not just some, and even for third parties.
When this happens, we'll be happy to show the entire production cycle. But I repeat, significant investments in technology and testing are required.
When this happens, we'll be happy to show the entire production cycle. But I repeat, significant investments in technology and testing are required.
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Susanna Buffo: Any sneak peeks at upcoming collections?
Nino Marino: We have new, splendid collections planned for each individual brand, which we will present from time to time throughout this year.
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Some of these are already in production, so I'm happy to reveal something in advance: for Maiora, we're ready to present the new collection called Golden Age, featuring a special "Ogive" that I call "Ultra," a new, highly effective, and extremely extreme ogive shape.
All the materials used are strictly of Italian origin and certified (neither Indian nor Chinese, to be clear).
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Some of these are already in production, so I'm happy to reveal something in advance: for Maiora, we're ready to present the new collection called Golden Age, featuring a special "Ogive" that I call "Ultra," a new, highly effective, and extremely extreme ogive shape.
All the materials used are strictly of Italian origin and certified (neither Indian nor Chinese, to be clear).
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For Delta : a new collection in "black/orange" materials called DV-2.0 "write balance" , bearing the international patent for our weight balancing system during use, and enriched by the iconic Delta band in solid silver.
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A "write balance" collection is planned in 5 wonderful colors.
Furthermore, with the recovery of original semi-finished products recovered from the Delta Historical Archive, we will soon finish the production of the iconic Dolcevita pens, in various sizes and measures.
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In addition to a celluloid marvel called Blue Lapis and a precious Dune .
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Under the Nettuno 1911 brand, we have already begun production of the current reissue of the historic Superba , a pen that was a huge success in the 1930s. It will soon be available in "celluloid" and "special resin" versions....Special features? It uses the ancient ink filling system known as the "button filler."
Under the Nettuno 1911 brand, we have already begun production of the current reissue of the historic Superba , a pen that was a huge success in the 1930s. It will soon be available in "celluloid" and "special resin" versions....Special features? It uses the ancient ink filling system known as the "button filler."
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For the next Nino Marino Signature ... it will be a surprise. The launch of the new, extremely limited edition is scheduled for next April.
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Susanna Buffo: Both limited and regular?
Nino Marino: Delta restarted production in 2022, which would have been its 40th anniversary. We created the limited-edition 39+1 using the same celluloid as the old Caruso, legitimately recovered from the Delta Historical Materials Archive.
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Susanna Buffo: Customers often ask where to get their old Delta pens repaired. What can I say?
Nino Marino: No problem. We have the materials, spare parts, and expertise. We're very fast, and we can provide a quote for everything.
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Here at Giardino Italiano, we're thrilled to be part of this new chapter for Delta, and we wish it continued success with all our heart. Keep an eye on our website and blog for updates!
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Susanna Buffo
Italian Garden