No less than € 25 million were invested in the new plant of the Italian manufacturer specialized in cosmetic formulations. The recently commissioned factory will enable the company to increase its production surface twofold (from 16,000 m² to 32,000 m²).

A particularly profitable 2018 year for ArtCosmetics with sales that should reach € 108 million for a total staff of 500, compared to the € 93 million and € 68 million achieved respectively in 2017 and 2016. Overview with Pierfranco Accardo, CEO.
 
Jean-Yves Bourgeois: If we go back just a few years ago, you started first by producing lipsticks…
 
Pierfranco Accardo: First of all, it is worth remembering that ArtCosmetics is a family-run business which has always remained true to the spirit instilled by its owner, M. Origo. We have produced lipsticks since 1990, still an area of excellence today—28 years of creating, growing and innovating. We are today an Italian B2B contract manufacturer specialized in color cosmetics. Our output covers all market segments: prestige, masstige, mass, specialty stores, direct marketing and pharmaceutical. We claim to be one of the leading firms in the famous Italian Cosmetic Valley, the golden triangle between Milan, Bergamo and Crema. And our role on the global market is to deliver innovation, supporting our creativity with sound technical and scientific expertise.
 
Jean-Yves Bourgeois: The company has grown tremendously, especially in the last two years?
 
Pierfranco Accardo: It’s true. ArtCosmetics has grown at an astonishing pace. Don’t forget that our turnover, which was € 45 million in 2015 jumped to € 68 million in 2016. And we expect to close 2018 on sales of € 108 million. The commissioning this year of this new plant will significantly improve the output. The total production area has jumped from 16,000 m² to more than 32,000 m² with a particular emphasis on the production of powders. Sixty people work in our R&D department.
 
Jean-Yves Bourgeois: You consider you have a place of your own among other companies specialized like you, in the creation and production of makeup products…
 
Pierfranco Accardo: We like to compare ourselves to a driving force for proposals, a sort of think tank. We want to be an innovation booster. At ArtCosmetics, innovative daring goes hand-in-hand with intelligence, creativity and top-class organization and management. We work with the world’s top cosmetic talents. As our business grows, we ensure that our organization and human resources keep pace. We adore combining our cosmetic expertise with inputs from Italy’s other areas of excellence.  

We aim for total quality in every cosmetic and beauty product we create. We select the choicest raw materials, for guaranteed safety and traceability. Every single formulation is state of the art and tailored to the market’s demands. Ingredients are the outcome of non-stop R&D. All our products are certified, with regular official inspections.
 
Jean-Yves Bourgeois: Most of your turnover is generated by export sales… What is your commercial footprint outside Italy?
 
Pierfranco Accardo: Our business now counts 280 customers in 29 countries. The domestic market is historically relevant for the company, but it currently accounts for only 15% of total sales, while France and the U.S. have become more strategic for the group.