Lucaprint and B+B International: managerial organization supported by the implementation of Packway management software. Business process management and financial control are essential elements to sustain a growth path, both through internal development and M&A operations
Lucaprint Group is a company based in Vicenza operating in the graphic and paper converting sector, specialized in the production of packaging solutions, folding boxes and laminated cardboard, countertop and floor displays. Established in 2004 from the merger of Veneta Print with Ives Grafica, a historic company, Lucaprint inherits a tradition and entrepreneurial experience spanning over 70 years, dating back to 1953. Thanks to a growth strategy pursued through various M&A operations, Lucaprint Group is now among the leading Italian players in the cardboard packaging industry, with 170 employees, revenues exceeding 30 million euros, and strong specialization in packaging solutions for food, industrial, wine & spirits, promotional, pharmaceutical, and healthcare & beauty sectors.
From design to prototype development, from production to logistics, Lucaprint offers a complete and integrated service.
Environmental sustainability is a core aspect of Lucaprint production, mainly due to the primary material used, paper, and has been further emphasized by the growing attention that the packaging industry has dedicated to these topics.
In recent years, Lucaprint has undertaken a decisive revision of management processes, products, and design, significantly reducing the use of cardboard to minimize over-packaging. Thanks to a tailor-made approach in developing solutions for its clients, Lucaprint creates packaging solutions that balance eco-sustainability with the fundamental functions of packaging, protecting and preserving contents, supporting the entire logistics chain from transportation to in-store display, conveying product information, identifying a brand, and attracting buyers’ attention. Finding a balance between excessive and insufficient packaging is crucial to reduce environmental impact while effectively preserving and communicating products. This ability is recognized by the market, positioning Lucaprint within clients’ supply chains not just as a supplier but as a true business partner, capable of supporting them in the transition towards sustainable production.
Currently, Lucaprint uses over 51% recycled cardboard in its production, while 49% of virgin fiber cardboard comes from responsibly managed forests. Additionally, 94% of production waste is recycled and reused as raw material, fully aligning with circular economy principles. The inks used for printing are plant-based, and 100% of the energy used in production comes from renewable sources.
Lucaprint’s strong international focus is evidenced by its revenue distribution, with 40% generated from foreign clients. The primary European markets include Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. In 2024, significant acquisitions were completed: Officine Grafiche Riunite was integrated into the Pianezze headquarters, and Cartotecnica Olimpia, based in the province of Turin, joined the Lucaprint Group.
“Honesty, integrity, and transparency have always guided our relationship with clients, fostering a proactive dialogue of open collaboration, from initial consultancy to post-sales support. We guarantee safety, innovation, and precision at every stage of the project”, says Lucaprint’s President, Alberto Luca.
Face to face with Dr. Alberto Luca – president of Lucaprint S.p.A.
How would you describe the current competitive landscape in the packaging sector?
“The packaging sector in Italy, characterized by high fragmentation, is undergoing a significant transformation driven by increasing attention to sustainability. The growing demand for cardboard packaging instead of plastic packaging creates new growth opportunities, but maintaining market leadership requires a solid financial base and a critical mass to face the ongoing transition. For this reason, in 2024, Lucaprint completed two M&A operations, acquiring Officine Grafiche Riunite and Cartotecnica Olimpia, and finalized a growth capital operation with the FVS SGR fund. Through these strategic moves, the company has expanded its packaging solutions portfolio, strengthened its presence in foreign markets, and acquired new financial resources to support growth. Investments in plants and machinery remain fundamental for our sector but are not the only critical success factor. A strong managerial organization supported by specific, comprehensive and modern information systems is equally essential”.
What strategic considerations led you to structure the company with experienced managers?
“We have always believed that organization and delegation, combined with competence and passion, are key elements for a successful entrepreneurial project. We have structured the company with experienced managers to address market challenges with greater solidity and strategic vision. Growth, both nationally and internationally, requires specific skills, the ability to manage complex processes, and an approach focused on innovation and sustainability.
The inclusion of managerial roles allows us to plan sustainable growth through targeted strategies, optimizing internal processes for greater efficiency, and better respond to market demands. Additionally, it enables us to manage M&A operations strategically, facilitating the synergic integration of new companies. Managerial expertise also strengthens our ability to invest decisively in innovation and research, experimenting with new materials and cutting-edge technologies, while consolidating our international market presence and increasing our competitiveness. This choice allows us to be increasingly flexible, reactive and future-oriented, able to offer valuable solutions to our customers in a context of continuous transformation”.
Parlando di trasformazione digitale, che valore attribuite alla tecnologia software per sostenere il vostro progetto organizzativo e strategico ?
“As the paper converting industry grows and develops, complexity increases exponentially, including the number of clients, quotes, orders, job orders, shipments, jobs, and personnel involved in each process. The speed and ability to respond promptly to any business event are also critical factors.
The key factor in selecting the Packway management software by B+B was its ability to manage all products and business processes with a single ERP system. Essential modules include CRM, technical office management, certifications and quality, Packway technical data sheets, production planner, data collection from machines, and warehouse logistics: all interconnected in an Industry 4.0 framework with factory machinery, integrated shipment organization, and accounting systems. These modules are necessary for instant management analysis and precise financial control. The flow of information, the reliability of the data collected, the indicators of production and economic performance are key elements for effective business management. Information systems and digital interconnection are indispensable tools to manage these processes, they are in all respects the soul, the backbone of the company, therefore a significant strategic asset”.
What value do you attribute to the collaboration with B+B International S.r.l.?
“Before starting the software selection process, we worked extensively to map our processes and define the necessary requirements for the new ERP. The specificity of our sector, combined with the need to manage both simple items and highly complex products like displays, narrowed our selection to industry-specific vertical software. B+B’s professional standing, along with numerous industry references, simplified our final choice. We relied on B+B not only for the specificity of the Packway software, designed for packaging companies, but also for the expertise of their consultants and the methodologies applied during the implementation plan. Choosing to implement a new management system is not simple and must be carefully considered with a medium-to-long-term perspective. Therefore, we thoroughly evaluated all current functionalities in Packway while also considering the strategic vision, corporate solidity, and organizational structure of B+B International S.r.l. One of the most important aspects in choosing a new ERP is the ability to have a single company database, and tools that allow you to quickly and accurately verify information, eliminating redundancies and inconsistencies in the data. This not only speeds up decision-making processes, but also allows you to obtain reliable management indicators, which are essential for monitoring company’s performance and planning future strategies with greater certainty. Of course, the implementation was very complex and demanding, it’s not just about new operating methods and procedures, you act and work with people and changes are not always easy to digest, but the system’s potential is repaying the efforts made”.
What are your future plans?
“Our mission is growth. Critical mass is fundamental to remain a reliable partner and a leading company in the sector. We will continue to invest in research and development to explore new processes and technologies, carefully evaluating potential strategic acquisitions to expand our offering and become an even more comprehensive partner for our clients. The organizational choices with managers of proven experience and the implementation of the new Packway management system with the ability to manage multi-plant organizations are aimed at supporting this path. Our goal is to make Lucaprint a highly competitive, sustainable, and future-oriented company, ready to tackle the challenges of a constantly evolving sector. The industrial goods sector remains a priority: we have gained solid experience in the development of innovative technical solutions for automatic packaging, using cutting-edge materials. At the same time, we look with interest at the food sector, in particular the bio sector, where the need to combine natural products with sustainable packaging is increasingly relevant. More generally, we are ready to support all those companies, constantly growing, that are looking not only for the supply of packaging but also for a service/product: the ability to have tailor-made solutions, consultancy support in the research of materials, in the industrialization of products and in the integration of the supply chain”.
