Itema, one of the leading global providers of advanced weaving solutions, has completed the acquisition of Schoch & Co. Srl, historic company active in the production and supply of accessories for textile machines, such as reeds, drop wires and other components. It is completed the integration process already started in 2019 with the acquisition of 80% of the company’s shares and, following the agreement reached with the heirs of the founding family, Itema acquires the remaining 20% and becomes the sole shareholder of the Italian subsidiary Schoch & Co. Srl.
Schoch was founded by Alfredo Schoch in 1907 in Ranica, Bergamo Province, and since then has manufactured high-quality accessories for the textile industry. Son of a Swiss reeds manufacturer, Alfredo Schoch set up his business in Italy and carried on the family’s entrepreneurial vocation.
Over the years, Schoch has installed in its plants the most advanced manufacturing technologies to constantly ensure its products renowned superior performances. In 2019, with the entry into Itema Group, Schoch moved the Italian site from Ranica to Colzate, at the Itema headquarters. In addition to the Italian plant, Schoch also has a production site in India with 100 employees.
Itema’s ultimate goal is maximizing collaboration and results
Ugo Ghilardi, CEO of Itema Group, commented: “With this transaction, we completed the acquisition process of Schoch & Co. As done in 2021 with Lamiflex, Itema aims to integrate the human and industrial capital of the Group’s companies with the ultimate goal of maximizing collaboration and results, both in terms of product development and new markets.”
Itema Group has expanded its business into industrial and innovation sectors, diversifying into high-growth markets through investments in companies such as Lamiflex®, Schoch®, and Itemalab® – Itema’s advanced innovation hub, which offers systems engineering and business process re-engineering services to third parties. In 2023, Itema entered into a joint venture with the Asian biopharmaceutical giant Tofflon, forming Tofflonit, and establishing a new benchmark for biopharmaceutical industrial systems in Europe and Western markets.