GEW appoints new distributor for Italy

Established in Milan in 1979, Fornietic has built a strong reputation in the printing industry. Following a strategic move to diversify its range back in 2004, the company represents several major brands, including Kocher+Beck, Herma, Tesa, Durst, Cheshire, and Polywest. The group comprises four companies: Fornietic, Flexolution, Fleximpianti, and Lirmaprint, employing over 40 people in two sites at Cornaredo and Piemonte, with most of its staff dedicated to technical support and customer service.

‘We are the only Italian company able to supply almost every product that the printing industry needs,’ commented Mario Marchi, sales director at Fornietic. ‘We range from flexible dies to self-adhesive materials, from anilox rolls to flexo and magnesium plates, from printing sleeves to flexo tapes, all with the best technical assistance, and now, of course, we can offer our customers the best LED and UV curing technology available.’

Fornietic will stock a range of GEW spare parts for rapid delivery across the country. A team of four field service technicians, led by Leonardo Roberti and ex-GEW engineer Marco Nardo of Spark Solutions, will be dedicated to providing a support package to customers. At the same time, Franco Pagano, GEW’s sales manager for the region, will continue to support sales activities. 

‘From now on, GEW customers can expect more engagement, faster support, and a large expansion of UV expertise that is readily available on their doorstep,’ added Marchi.

‘We are well aware that the GEW name is renowned for quality and reliability,’ commented Christian Colombo, managing director of Fornietic. ‘For us, starting to work with GEW means, more than any other word, responsibility. We are aware of the exceptional work that has been done to make GEW the world leader of the market, and we are proud to have the opportunity to make GEW the undisputed leader of UV and LED technology in Italy. By coming together with GEW, we will bring significant benefits to our customers. They will have the most responsive and fastest support, skilled technicians, and a team that is very focused on customer needs.’

Managing director of sales at GEW, Robert Rae, said: ‘We are very excited to begin working with Mario, Christian, and the team at Fornietic, who are renowned for their professionalism, technical expertise, and strong customer service. From the first meeting, it was clear that we shared a fast and flexible approach to business, with open and honest communication. GEW has a good reputation and strong customer base in Italy but required a more dynamic and professional partner in this competitive market. We are very confident Fornietic fits that mold, and we look forward to a long and successful relationship. We will strengthen our existing customer base and lead the transition of the web market to LED while also venturing into newer markets such as sheetfed offset and specialist industrial printing applications.’