Epson has completed a 100 per cent takeover of Italian textile printer manufacturer Fratelli Robustelli, a collaboration which will see Epson expand its capabilities in digital inkjet textile printing.

Epson will harness Robustelli’s expertise in its development of digital inkjet textile printers, which are expected to be made available for Australian customers.

Digital textile printing is currently a booming market which is estimated to be surging at an annual rate of approximately 25 per cent worldwide.

Commenting on the takeover, Epson Australia Business Division general manager Craig Heckenberg says, “This is a very exciting development for Epson in Australia and New Zealand.

“The market for high-quality digital textile printing is expanding and acquiring Robustelli puts us in a great place to meet the technology needs of the growing numbers of customers who are seeking to leverage the advantages of advanced digital solutions that will help drive their businesses forward.”

Epson’s business partnership with Robustelli stretches back to 2003 when the two companies collaborated to develop the award winning Monna Lisa series of digital inkjet textile printers.  

Robustelli owner, Valerio Robustelli says, “We are happy and proud to become members of the Epson Group. Our co-operation with Epson led to the development of Monna Lisa, an industrial digital textile printer that is today a market benchmark for high-quality textile printing.

“The combination of our respective skills is the natural conclusion of a process of innovation to satisfy customers in Italy and the rest of the world.”

Epson is expected to assume Robustelli’s facilities in Como, Italy with a staff of 25 people. It is unknown if the company will retain its name or be subsumed into the Epson brand. 

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