January 2021
Spandex, the one-stop supplier of innovative solutions to the sign, graphics and display industries, is expanding its presence in the Italian market with the acquisition of visual communication media and equipment specialist Karkadan.
The 15-year-old business is a regional distributor of many prominent signage and graphics media brands, with particularly strong experience in rigid materials and in fast-growing verticals including vehicle wrapping and décor. Located in Genova, it serves a well-established customer base in the north west of the country.
From left to right: : Alessandro Lanfranconi (General Manager Spandex Italy), Antonio Rivetti (Karkadan founder), Claudio Fabbri (Sales Director Spandex Italy) e Giuseppe Marzella (Finance Director Spandex Italy)
By bringing Karkadan into the Spandex family in Italy, alongside earlier acquisitions Bibiemme and Sanvido, Spandex further enhances its service offering to customers and deepens the Italian customer-facing team with the addition of seven expert sales and support consultants.
Spandex Italy General Manager Alessandro Lanfranconi comments: “We’re delighted that Spandex is in a position to make this confident move at a time of uncertainty for so many businesses. By investing to acquire a business of Karkadan’s reputation we extend our geographical footprint, reinforce our specialist know-how, improve our products and services for established and new customers, and advance our growth strategy.”
Alessandro Lanfranconi
Karkadan’s warehouse facility in Genova will expand Spandex’s Italian distribution infrastructure, which already comprises centres in Milan, Bologna and Padova. The Genova location will strengthen the company’s ability to serve customers in Liguria, the lower Piedmont region, and north-west Tuscany, boosting product availability and speed of supply.
Spandex Italy Sales Director Claudio Fabbri says: “Karkadan has been a customer of Spandex Italy for some years, and we’ve seen first-hand the team’s deep understanding of customers’ needs and commitment to providing fast solutions. This aligns perfectly with our own philosophy, making integration a very natural step.”
Karkadan owner Antonio Rivetti comments: “Having observed the sustained growth of Spandex in the Italian market over the last decade, built on its ‘customer-first’ ethos, this feels like a very natural fit for me and my team. Karkadan’s integration within the Spandex group will bring definite benefits to our combined customer community.”
Karkadan will continue to operate normally, under the Spandex group umbrella. Antonio Rivetti will continue to direct the business in Genova and will now be part of the senior team of Spandex Italy.
