One cold day in April, I left Målilla to visit a Milan in the full bloom of spring. I was picked up by our dealer and good friend Simone.

We travelled to his home where his family waited and the best risotto I have ever tasted! It turned out that the rice grew in the fields outside the kitchen window. We enjoyed a fantastic meal with a wonderful good wine and Italian delicacies. I soon after fell asleep in the family's guest room.

The following day we went cycling with our Pilen bicycles in the countryside and talked about bicycles, and then more about bicycles. I told them about the new Pilen Concept that same day had premiere at the 2008 Milan Furniture Fair.

Milan Furniture Fair

It was an incredibly powerful feeling to step in to the huge exhibition area and know that I would see one of our products on the world's largest design fairs! After much searching, I finally found Eric Therner and his girlfriend Sofia in the right exhibition hall. Eric is the one who designed The Pilen Concept and we have given assistance with advice, frame sizing and practical details.

The prototype Pilen Concept was an incredible slender wonder and attracted much attention. During the hours I was there, I would have been able to sell a dozen! Eric told me that newspapers from around the world had visited for footage and interviews. Eric and Sofia was really fantastic at the fair!

More fabulous food and a farewell

Once back at the home of the Pogliani family, everybody wanted to see pictures and hear about the Pilen Concept. After another fantastic Italian meal I went to bed and dreamed about the future of Pilen. The following day, a little sad at heart, I left the home of the extremely generous and kind Pogliani family and travelled home to Målilla again – full of inspiration. It was a fantastic trip! Thanks Simone and family and thank you Eric and Sofia!

A fond reunion

In early August, the whole family Pogliani – Simone, Monica, and the children Gaia and Jacobo came to visit our home in Målilla and, of course, to see the new production line in the factory. In the days that followed we also went to Astrid Lindgren's World: a great experience for the children! We spent the rest of the lazy days in the garden where the children could swim in the pool. It was a wonderful experience with a glorious mix of our countries' different specialities. I hope it will not delay too long before we see each other again!