The Italian printing industry is suffering from the consequences of the financial and debt crisis. Nevertheless, a moderate recovery in investment activity has been noticeable for some months. One example is Grafiche Cosentino in Caltagirone in Sicily. A few months ago, a new Rapida 142 four-colour printing press and a Rapida 105 ten-colour straightline press or five-colour perfector in 75 x 105 format simultaneously went into production there.

Successful family dynasty

Grafiche Cosentino was founded by Ernesto Cosentino in Vizzini (province of Catania) in 1937. The family-run business in the third generation has established itself beyond the borders of Sicily and is very much in demand throughout Italy as a commercial printer. Besides flyers, folders, brochures, magazines and books, Cosentino also prints large-format event posters and advertising posters. Production is mainly geared to cooperation with small and medium-sized graphics companies, with whom good relationships are maintained and who are often exclusively local. In a very ambitious programme which is, however, promoted by the region, Grafiche Cosentino, besides the already firmly established commercial printing, also installed a die-cutting platen press and a folder-gluer by Bobst, as well as a Compact "Grassi" laminating machine in 100 x 140 format (all of them the latest version) and has thus concentrated on paper processing.

On track for growth with KBA since 2002

The company, which was initially run by Giuseppe Cosentino and today is run by his children Luigi, Ernesto and Cristina, achieves an annual turnover of 2.4 million euro with 15 employees. Since 2002, when a machine by a rival company was replaced by a Rapida 142 four-colour setup, Cosentino has only printed on KBA presses. A five-colour Rapida 142 followed in 2003.

At the end of 2009, the family council decided to push ahead with modernisation and create capacity for further growth with a double investment in another four-colour Rapida 142 and a long medium-format perfector. In May 2011, the machines had a trouble-free start, equipped with automatic plate changers, CipLink prepress connections and DensiTronic professional quality control. In particular they are intended to improve productivity in commercial and poster printing. In addition, the facilities for package printing were improved with investment in a restored single-colour Varimat for product varnishing as well as modern prepress and further processing facilities.

Ernesto Cosentino: "We attach a lot of importance to quality and speed at competitive prices. In all the years, we have been pleased to note that performance and innovation are not neglected at KBA. A close bond of trust has developed with KBA-Italia and the representative responsible for Sicily. We shall also rely on the support of KBA in the development of our packaging printing, for our partner have a lot of experience and a very good image in this segment."

Rapidas provoke discussions

"The new medium and large-format Rapidas are a welcome reinforcement for our company. They run up to ten hours a day. The ten-colour perfector has significantly increased our production flexibility for fast and individual customer wishes. The long perfector has made us a positive topic of discussion among our customers and rivals, and has also brought us business."