In the Italian printing and converting landscape, some alliances go well beyond a simple customer–supplier relationship. This is the case with the nearly twenty-year partnership between Temac and Luxoro: a collaboration that began in 2007 and has grown over time into a virtuous example of industrial integration within the same supply chain. We explore it in this article and in the accompanying video interview with Massimo Cerliani, owner of Temac, and Roberto Barbieri, production manager at Luxoro
On one side there is Temac, a Varese-based manufacturer specializing in the development of high-precision slitter rewinders; on the other we find Luxoro, the exclusive Italian partner of KURZ Group, a global benchmark for technologies and solutions for printing and surface enhancement, both with hot and cold application. Two companies operating within the same industrial ecosystem and serving highly qualified markets, from commercial printing to publishing, from labels to packaging, as well as security, cosmetics, automotive and fashion: jointly contributing to strengthening the overall competitiveness of the sector.
The surface enhancement materials distributed by Luxoro represent one of the highest expressions of aesthetic quality and functional innovation in the world of decoration. These are precious, technologically sophisticated and often extremely delicate materials, whose processing requires absolute levels of precision and control. It is precisely at this stage that Temac’s engineering comes into play, with solutions designed to ensure flawless processing even on the most sensitive substrates.
17 machines in 16 years: a shared journey
The collaboration between the two companies began in 2007 with the supply of the first SRS 845/S H 1700 mm slitter rewinder. From that moment on, a continuous path of technological and production growth has unfolded, leading, over the span of sixteen years, to the installation of as many as 17 machines at Luxoro factory in Parona Lomellina, in the province of Pavia. A significant milestone that has established Temac as the company’s exclusive supplier of slitting machines.
The installed machine park is not the result of standardization; rather, it represents a highly diversified technological ecosystem, developed over time to meet specific operational needs. Slitters of SRS 850 and SRS 853 series were introduced for the production of wider strips, with configurations also featuring independent winding drives, while the THS 535 was designed for recovery of leftover stock and for cutting extremely narrow strips, helping to optimize material usage.
Alongside these solutions, the TMS 840 is used for processing smaller reels, while the DTR 800 and 803 machines, known as doctor machines, play a key role in the preventive inspection of reels and the correction of any defects, thus ensuring consistent quality standards. The technological setup is completed by RPL and SPL spoolers, used for resizing rolls and capable of operating even on one-inch cores thanks to dedicated mechanical solutions, as well as the TML 20 for core cutting and the CR 76 152 for recovering crushed cores. Each machine is the result of a shared design process, developed through continuous technical dialogue between the two companies, with the aim of optimizing performance according to material characteristics and production requirements.
The technological challenge: cutting delicate materials
The preparation of materials for surface enhancement involves specific complexities related to their very nature. These are thin, structurally complex substrates, highly sensitive to tension control and stability during unwinding and rewinding phases. Even minimal variations in processing parameters can compromise material integrity, causing breaks or surface imperfections.
To address these problems, Temac has developed targeted engineering solutions, particularly in tension control, cutting precision and winding stability. Each system is calibrated according to the specific characteristics of Luxoro materials, translating experience gained in handling specialty substrates into distinctive know-how, capable of ensuring the processing of high value-added products without compromising quality.
Modularity and scalability: a long-term investment
One of the key elements of Temac’s design philosophy is modularity. Each machine is conceived from the outset to be upgraded and expanded over time, without requiring structural modifications or additional costs related to basic design. This approach allows companies to invest even in essential initial configurations, while retaining the ability to progressively evolve according to new production needs.
Over the machine’s lifecycle, additional components can be integrated, such as electrostatic bars, more advanced side discharge systems or different cutting technologies, for example, switching from razor blades to mechanical circular knives. Likewise, advanced inspection systems, macro- and micro-perforation solutions or laser technologies can be introduced, along with software upgrades and data exchange connectivity systems.
In recent years, and even more clearly in the 2025–2026 period, upgrade and revamping activities for installed machines have taken on increasing importance in Temac’s business. In a more cautious market environment, where a natural slowdown in sales follows years of strong expansion, the ability to intervene on existing equipment ensures operational continuity for both manufacturer and customer. Many of the machines installed at Luxoro operate continuously on three shifts, seven days a week: fully efficient systems that nonetheless need to evolve to keep pace with new production challenges.
Service and maintenance: the relationship beyond the sale
The collaboration between Temac and Luxoro extends well beyond machine supply. Temac manages both routine and extraordinary maintenance for the entire installed base, ensuring spare parts availability and prompt intervention when needed. This service model is offered to many clients, including institutional entities such as the Italian Government Printing Office and Mint, but in Luxoro’s case it takes an even greater strategic value. Ensuring production continuity in the processing of high-value materials means guaranteeing reliability and consistent quality in a market where precision and timeliness are essential.
A shared vision
Luxoro’s decision to rely exclusively on Temac for its slitting machines is the result of a relationship built over time on trust, expertise and a strong capacity for innovation. Temac is not simply a supplier, but a technology partner capable of understanding customer needs and supporting its industrial evolution.
This collaboration demonstrates how two companies within the same supply chain can work synergistically to create value, through an approach based on quality, innovation and investment protection. A solid partnership set to continue, confirming how supply chain strength is now one of the key competitive factors for the Italian converting industry.
