What are the prospects for die-cutting and paper converting sector? We talked about it with Giuseppe Mitolo, CEO of Mito srl, a true point of reference in the world of packaging, with ad hoc solutions for customers and commercial partners
Mito, thanks to its notable background in this sector and a company structure completely oriented towards customer needs, is able, in fact, to offer cutting-edge technical solutions with the best quality/price ratio.
Face to face with Giuseppe Mitolo, CEO of Mito
What do you think will be the key factors in 2024?
“Sector operators and market leaders are clearly moving towards effective production solutions where technical and qualitative content play an important role. Thanks to the legacy left by industry 4.0, it will be necessary to deal with the ability to manage an increasingly dense data exchange between the various company hubs. At a marketing level, the calls to various aspects of sustainability will be crucial and we will also see some first applications, at the moment more in form than substance, of AI. Structured entities capable of guaranteeing effective technical support and in-depth knowledge will have more and more weight”.
The appointments of 2024?
“We worked hard in view of our participation in drupa. The fair was the occasion to meet our loyal customers and establish new relationships with visitors from all over the world. We were present at the stand of the C&T Matrix group, where we presented the products that are characterized by having been designed and manufactured at our headquarters in Fara Gera d’Adda. We are proud for this courageous and unconventional choice: we decided to keep in Italy production of machines that our competitors often prefer to import from other markets. In this way we are able to guarantee rigorous quality control and adequate support. I am referring in particular to our pneumatic machines for cleaning the scrap from die-cut pallets and for cutting nicks on die blades”.
What are your news?
“Our forecasts see a growth in 2024 thanks to a series of innovations that further improve the performance of our products. The new XRapido creasing matrix, completely redesigned to face the challenges of the future, will finally see the light. It is produced in one unique piece with extrusion processing which allows for greater strength of shoulders, that have been redesigned with a smoother bevel to avoid jamming of the cardboard and using a glue that adheres perfectly without leaving glue residues. More rigorous dimensional controls have been introduced and we are able to guarantee a precision that was unthinkable just a few years ago. I also want to mention the latest evolution of our Playmatrix for the automatic cutting of creasing matrices, a machine completely made in Italy, which has been equipped with a new 4.0 software that can be fully integrated with order database management and in the company data flow”.
And what about the die manufacturers sector?
“The competition in this sector is very intense but we plan to increase our presence in this sector by consolidating the position we have acquired with our high quality ejection materials. FoodJect rubber, certified for food use, is already widely used with satisfaction by many customers and the Saturn Pro will soon be available with even more advanced features compared to the traditional model, already known for its exceptional rejecting and durability performance. In the rotary sector we are pleased to note an increase in preferences for our polyurethane plates available in a wide range of hardnesses. During the year we will also have a truly innovative innovation regarding cutting blades but for now I don’t want to make any predictions”.
Let’s take a step back and tell us something about last year
“Last year was very challenging for us as we completely reorganized the warehouse with the purchase of an automated vertical storage system. This investment allowed us to optimize internal logistics and make more rational use of the available surface area. We have then completed the integration process with the group’s ERP software and we are still working with the aim of interfacing it with our warehouse to have full control of movements, in this way we will be able to offer to the customer an increasingly efficient and rapid service. I am satisfied with the results achieved with the introduction of these innovations and, although these were complex evolutions in many respects, the transition went smoothly thanks to the passion and professionalism of the staff”.
Are there any other projects in the pipeline?
“We are an extremely dynamic company and we always try to offer the best solutions to our customers. We are focusing in particular on accessories for die-cutting machines: after-market spare parts, Quick-Lock coupling systems and Perivo frames. I want to underline the extraction needles which, thanks to the high-performance springs and the low wear rate, always maintain the exact same height even after millions of strokes. I would like to point out that it is possible, unlike most competing products, to repair our articles with the simple replacement of a single component instead of the entire block, thanks to their modular construction. This aspect reduces their environmental impact, extends their useful life and underlines our attention to sustainability characteristics of a product. Finally, we are expanding our presence in the steel plate market for which we guarantee high technical hardness specifications and a wide range of customizations at a competitive price”.
And to conclude?
“We are a company that offers products and services centered on quality. For us it is important to establish a relationship of collaboration and trust with the customer and operators in the sector. This is only possible with passionate, competent and efficient work. Satisfaction of our customers will be the key that will give us new motivation and will allow us to grow this year too”.
