Some of the most recognizable "faces in the crowd" in the food and beverage industry have a Cincinnati company to thank for their dynamic image. Artfully adorning the products of such major international brands as Bacardi, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, Skol Vodka and Kahlua are the high-quality labels produced by Eurostampa, an Italian-owned company with North American headquarters based in Roselawn.
With a rich history in the printing industry dating back more than two centuries, Cincinnati seemed the ideal home-away-from-home for Italian specialty label maker Eurostampa when, in 2007, company leaders sought to establish itself in the U.S. Their instincts proved to be right. Since setting up their original shop in Roselawn's former Pepper Printing building, the label-making company has flourished, eventually expanding their operations into two additional leased facilities in order to house the burgeoning business.
On September 17, 2010, in what president Gian Franco Cillario refers to as "the beginning of a wonderful dream," Eurostampa North America broke ground on its new home - a $5 million, 70,000 square foot commercial printing facility located in the very neighborhood which first welcomed them to our community.
"I really wanted to stay nearby to avoid losing any of our employees," says Cillario. "Most importantly, we are a family business and we want to let every employee find a place to stay for life."
This loyalty is core to the philosophy of Eurostampa, a company which places great emphasis on the tradition of family, as it exists at home and in the workplace. Founded by their father over 40 years ago in the Italian province of Cuneo, Italy, the label-making company is today run by three Cillario brothers, including Gian Franco.
Having everyone under one roof is important not only to improving the efficiency and production capacity of the North American facility, but also for providing the company's 65 employees with a motivating and close-knit work environment, Cillario believes.
Controller Garry Lanham says that Eurostampa's "family" philosophy was also strongly influential in the company's initial decision to establish a North American headquarters so that they could "be closer and better able to serve our North American customers." Similarly, the label maker's selection of the Paul Hemmer Company as the builder of their new facility "had as much to do with their tradition as a family-owned business as their competitive bid and quality reputation," says Lanham.
With plans for substantial growth and the anticipated expansion of their "family" to 100 employees over the next four years, Eurostampa North America has truly found a home here in Cincinnati, adding to the Queen City's rich heritage as home to some of the world's greatest lithographic masters.
Writer: Alyce Vilines
Sources: Gian Franco Cillario, President- Eurostampa North America and Garry Lanham, Controller- Eurostampa North America