B&B Italia could be a case study of those Italian companies in traditional manufacturing that can survive the onslaught of cheaply produced goods from China, India and eastern Europe.

One of the most prestigious and innovative names in world furniture design, B&B - whose products include €10,000 (£7,000, $12,200) sofas - had considered relocating some production outside Italy a few times but decided against it. "The product made in Italy has an internal value for which people will pay more," says Maurizio Mazzuchelli, B&B's director. The company, he says, aims for "consumer comprehension of the difference".