The Roots of Success: From Textile to Rubber and Paper Industries
Just twenty-five years after its founding, the Comerio Ercole fu Melchiorre company was already in good health and on a strong path of expansion. Initially focused on machinery for the textile sector, the company gradually specialized in the final stages of textile processing: finishing, bleaching, calendering and printing. These processes were more complex and required advanced know-how, but they also brought significantly higher added value.
The company’s growing expertise in building calenders for the cotton industry paved the way for diversification. Comerio Ercole began developing machines tailored to other industrial sectors with high growth potential, applying its engineering knowledge to new challenges and applications.
The excellent quality of its products quickly earned the company recognition at an international level. Comerio Ercole had the opportunity to participate in prestigious exhibitions such as the Milan Fair in 1894, the Turin Expo in 1898 and the International Exhibition in Paris in 1900: events that helped strengthen its visibility and network in emerging industrial markets.
By 1912–1913, the company still maintained a relatively small size, with around 80 employees. Control remained in the hands of Mr. Ercole, the founder. However, that same year marked a turning point: his three sons: Benigno, Melchiorre and Giuseppe, joined the management, bringing with them new energy, vision and a drive for innovation.
Thanks to their contribution, Comerio Ercole expanded its production range to include machinery for the rubber and paper industries. This strategic move proved to be a success, as it opened the door to long-term relationships with key clients such as Pirelli & Co., Ambrogio Binda and Cartiera Vita Mayer.
These foundations of quality, adaptability, and family leadership would shape the company’s future for generations to come.
Looking to the Future: Industry 5.0 and a New Era of Innovation
On Friday, June 6th, Comerio Ercole will open the doors of its main production site in Busto Arsizio to institutions and stakeholders for a special celebration. The occasion marks a significant milestone: the company’s 140th anniversary (1885–2025). But while rooted in over a century of industrial heritage, Comerio Ercole remains firmly focused on the future.
During the event, two major innovations will be unveiled. First, the launch of a new universal Industry 5.0 manufacturing center, designed to push the boundaries of digital integration and human-machine collaboration. Second, the expansion of the R&D technology center, already home to two specialized laboratories for calendering and mixing processes.
This expansion includes the addition of two new experimental machines: a next-generation mixer and a calendering unit equipped with an advanced longitudinal stretching system for thin films. The main lab now functions as a fully reconfigurable “mini-factory,” featuring a 4-roll calendering line adaptable to 3 or 5 rolls and a dual feeding system, supporting both extrusion and traditional mill feeding, now enhanced with an internal mixer.
The second lab is designed for embossing processes on films and nonwovens, offering up to 100 pattern variations to meet diverse application needs across industries.
These investments reinforce Comerio Ercole’s R&D capabilities, enabling the company to support customers not only in process optimization but also throughout the patent development phase. This commitment reflects a broader mission: delivering high-quality, high-tech and service-oriented solutions.
To commemorate the anniversary, the company will also release a 272-page book capturing the journey of its 140-year legacy, complete with historical anecdotes, human stories, innovation milestones and a vision for the future.
With 250 employees and 94% of production exported worldwide, Comerio Ercole continues to place its trust in its greatest asset: its people.
IN SHORT:
Founded in 1885, Comerio Ercole quickly evolved from textile machinery to specialized calendering systems for multiple industries. By the early 1900s, the company had gained international recognition and expanded its operations to serve the rubber and paper sectors, building strong partnerships with key industrial players. Today, as it celebrates 140 years of innovation, Comerio Ercole looks to the future with the launch of a cutting-edge Industry 5.0 manufacturing center and enhanced R&D laboratories. With 94% of its production exported globally, the company remains committed to technological excellence, process innovation, and the people who drive its legacy forward.
