Just two years ago, Italcosmetici, a small Italian company specialized in the creation and manufacture of makeup formulas, was taken over by Giuseppe Campanella, CEO, and Alberto Argnani, Managing Director. Two years of repositioning and investments were necessary to put this more than 30-year-old company back on track. After a year (2017) dedicated to winning over new customers, the current exercise looks promising.

Overview with Giuseppe Campanella.
 
Jean-Yves Bourgeois: You certainly were full of confidence and knew what you were doing in 2015 when you took over the company and you were right!

Giuseppe Campanella: Yes, we were confident and this year, 2018, proves that we were right. Italcosmetici is an old and well-established Italian company specialized in the creation and manufacture of makeup products. Its corporate image has always been good, and the quality of its production recognized. We had to overcome a difficult 2016 year due to the bankruptcy of one of our biggest customers but, luckily, thanks to our increased presence at trade shows, thanks also to a thorough sales reorganization, we managed to win over new clients. In 2016, we also developed no less than forty new products and more than fifty in 2017, which resulted in gaining fifteen new clients! And in 2018, hopefully we will recover a very large client in the United States.

Bourgeois: What revenues do you expect this year and what are your plans for next year?

Campanella: We will close the year with a turnover of about € 4 million and we plan to double this figure next year. Our current production capacity, which was recently increased (more than 50% for emulsions) allows us to look to the future with optimism. Undeniably the global makeup market is currently doing very well and on top of it, the "Made in Italy" hallmark is undoubtedly a true guarantee of recognition. Don't forget that we are present in all the makeup niches: foundations, concealers, powders, blushers, primers and highlighters, mascaras, eyeshadows, eyeliners, lipsticks, no-transfer lip pens, lipgloss, lip balms and sunscreen balms. From R&D to production, including product design and product launch, we are able to guarantee a full service offer. Note also that we are investing in mascara and that our lipsticks are doing very well too, a niche in which we are able to produce some 4,000 units per hour.
 
Bourgeois: In recent months, you have even increased your staff?

Campanella: There are currently seven people dedicated to R&D and Quality Control activities. After 35 years in operations, the Company's R&D department has produced approximately 150 texture bases in more than 3,000 shades.

Bourgeois: And what about exports?

Campanella: Next year, the United States should be a very big market for Italcosmetici. But we also have a strong presence in Russia, North Africa and Saudi Arabia.