Smyth Srl is an Italian company that has been at the forefront of thread book sewing machines and finishing solutions production since 1879. The inventor of the thread book sewing method which bears our Company name, commonly known as “Smyth Sewing” worldwide. An Irish-American visionary entrepreneur and inventor Mr. David McConnell Smyth, who filed the Smyth Sewing patent, established the company and championed the shift from labour-intensive hand binding to industrial scale production.
The global impact of the introduction of Smyth thread book sewing machines in the market was huge. Industrially produced sewn books flooded markets worldwide. Schools, libraries, and homes gained access to knowledge more easily and literacy rates soared. People from diverse backgrounds could now read, learn, and explore. Our company founder’s legacy extended beyond business—it became a catalyst for education and enlightenment.
Mr. Smyth’s commitment to excellence lives on in Smyth’s DNA. Our company continues to innovate, and for more than 100 years we have been producing book sewing machines, gathering and sewing lines, casemakers and book finishing solutions whether for POD (print on demand) books or short runs.
100% Made in Italy and 100% Made in Smyth
Today Smyth is an Italian-owned company with 2 manufacturing facilities in Italy. Smyth 6.000 sqm headquarters – on a 10.000 sqm area – is located in Northern Italy (100 km from Milan). The second facility, situated in Turin, is responsible for the manufacturing of all the mechanical components. Whether designing, building, assembling or providing technical support, everything we do is kept strictly in-house to ensure products and services that meet the highest possible standards.
Our Experience at Your Service
Whether it is binding a novel or securing a catalogue, Smyth’s expertise runs through every twist and turn of the thread. For over a century we have been developing and manufacturing book sewing machines and finishing solutions for both offset and digital printing with unwavering commitment and passion. Within Smyth’s factory, deep know-how flows like a thread. Senior technicians pass down secrets of their apprentices to junior technicians who carry forward the legacy, unbroken by time. That is because paper possesses a fascinating complexity. Beyond its physical form, paper is a living entity that responds dynamically to its environment and different working conditions. It’s not just about nuts and bolts; it’s about the soul of sewing and Smyth embodies all the competences and skills in every machine and bookbinding solution offered to the market.
A wide range of solutions
Smyth offers an extensive range of book sewing machines and finishing solutions to meet the demands of different production scenarios. From simplified hand-fed and semi-automatic book sewing machines to fully automated solutions, including entry-level, special-purpose and oversized book sewing machines which represent our core business. Unique technical features, top quality materials and patented devices make Smyth machines robust, reliable and durable, providing high quality compact sewn books.
Budget-friendly options
Smyth acknowledges that not every production budget can accommodate costly investments. For this reason, we also offer cost-effective solutions that don’t compromise on quality. Our entry-level automatic book sewing machines keep the Customer’s costs in check while maintaining efficiency. No matter if the Customers’ company is a small start-up or a corporate giant, the wide range of Smyth solutions can fit the Customer unique production needs and budgets. Our unwavering commitment is to deliver top-quality machines that perfectly align with each Customer’s unique requirements, regardless of their company’s size.
SMYTH UNIT – The world’s most compact gathering and sewing line
When excellence is non-negotiable, Smyth’s premium automatic gathering and sewing lines step onto the stage. In particular, Smyth UNIT is the world’s most compact gathering and sewing line, designed to be operated by a single operator, drastically reducing production costs.
The new developed logic offers fast set-up times by automatically running the book programme as soon as the signatures have been positioned in the gathering station, resulting in significant timesaving.
Quality Management
In the bustling landscape of today’s competitive business environment, Smyth believes that achieving and maintaining high-quality products and services is paramount. For this reason, we implemented the Quality Management System that covers all stages of design, production, sales and after-sales services. Our commitment to quality ensures that our products meet the highest standards and Customer’s expectations.
Smyth After Sales service: the engine driving Customer satisfaction
At Smyth, we firmly believe that the value of a machine investment extends far beyond the initial sale and installation. Rather than viewing this as a transactional event, we see it as the start of a lasting partnership. Our goal is also to create a meaningful impact by delivering value added after sale service throughout the entire lifecycle of the investment.
For company policy we provide free of charge remote technical support to ensure we can quickly and easily identify the source of any trouble, supporting Customers. A qualified team is always on hand, and we guarantee spare part availability with over 25,000-part numbers in stock. Smyth machines built since 1967 are still in operation, and Smyth is capable of providing technical support and spare parts for them worldwide.
In this regard, Smyth has already selected a list of potential Indian distributors – reputable and reliable companies – that we planned to meet at Drupa to establish an exclusive distribution channel in the region.
Namaste India – Smyth market penetration strategy
With approx. 600 active Customers in over 65 countries across the 5 continents, 95% of Smyth’s turnover originates from exports thanks to a strong network of exclusive distributors and agents. Our continuous expansion underscores our dedication to adapting to different market demand, customizing our products and services across various regions. Adaptability is our strength and we believe that this is the key to enter in a dynamic and evolving market like India.
India indeed stands out as an emerging country with unparalleled growth potential, not only within emerging markets but also globally. This confidence in its growth profile comes from India’s economic and demographic factors. While China remains a significant player in the printing industry, we believe that India has unique characteristics that make it an exciting prospect for long-term growth.
In this context, Smyth can effectively cater to customers’ needs and purchasing power, thereby contributing to India’s growth. Smyth serves as a viable alternative to both cheap Chinese machines and expensive European counterparts, offering high quality products at more affordable prices. It has been seen Chinese machines, while cheaper, do not last even half as long as the European machines. Also, the 2nd hand machines being used do not produce the quality or the quantity.
Our approach for entering the Indian market involves introducing our brand, highlighting the value of our solutions, proving the quality of our products, and emphasizing our integrity in conducting business. The aim is to create enduring business relationships, assisting Customers and fostering their business growth.
Today, our automatic entry-level solutions can hit the mark and meet the demands of the Indian market, offering European quality at more affordable prices.
Also, top-of-the-line reconditioned machines are a smart choice that balances quality and cost-effectiveness. As manufacturer, we meticulously strip down the machine, inspect, and replace components, following strict quality control procedures during the refurbishment process, supplying overhauled machines that offer reliable performances comparable to brand-new ones at almost half price.
We are happy to announce that Smyth cutting-edge technology and innovative finishing solutions are now ready to enhance value and drive profitability for Indian printers and binders, too. We will be happy to welcome you in our stand C25, Hall 6 at Drupa, showing our technology and new solutions. Do not miss the chance to meet our team of experts!
