Pentatech accelerates its Iberian corrugated expansion with Marc and Dani Gilabert

The Iberian corrugated market is demanding faster response times and localized technical expertise as converters face mounting pressures to optimize production lines. Italian machinery manufacturer Pentatech srl has recognized this structural shift, officially appointing Marc and Dani Gilabert of Mardan Intermediarios S.L. to spearhead its commercial and technical expansion across Spain and Portugal.

The agreement, formalized in October 2026, fundamentally changes the operational dynamic for Pentatech in the peninsula. Mardan will now manage the full spectrum of customer interaction. This includes driving commercial activities, streamlining quotation management, and, crucially, overseeing after-sales service. This localized approach aims to eliminate the traditional friction of cross-border technical support, providing converters in Spain and Portugal with direct, on-the-ground assistance. In an industry where machine downtime directly and severely erosions operating margins, having a local point of contact is no longer a luxury but a strict requirement for machinery procurement.

Pentatech brings significant industrial weight to this partnership. Founded in 2007 and having recently completed a major 2026 expansion of its production facilities in Lavezzola, Italy, the company has installed over 1,000 motorized handling systems globally. Their current technological focus is heavily tilted toward advanced automation. Recent deployments include loaders equipped with anthropomorphic robotic arms and automatic palletizing lines featuring dual robotic arms specifically designed for flexographic lines producing American boxes. For Spanish and Portuguese converters, who are currently navigating a tight labor market and demanding higher throughput from their converting lines, these automated material handling solutions represent a critical upgrade path.

Simone Zaffagnini, CEO of Pentatech, emphasized that integrating the Gilabert brothers is a calculated strategic move to reinforce long-term customer relationships. The Iberian market has always valued proximity and trust. By partnering with Mardan Intermediarios, Pentatech ensures that its advanced Italian engineering is backed by professionals who understand the specific idiosyncrasies of local factory floors. Marc and Dani Gilabert bring a wealth of experience in the corrugated converting industry, combining strong technical knowledge with established commercial networks. Their identifiable presence in the market provides immediate credibility to Pentatech’s expansion efforts.

The move also highlights a broader trend in the corrugated machinery sector in 2026. Equipment manufacturers are increasingly realizing that selling complex automation requires an equally sophisticated and responsive local support network. The days of relying solely on technicians flying in from headquarters are fading, replaced by robust partnerships with specialized local intermediaries who can provide immediate troubleshooting, manage spare parts logistics, and facilitate seamless upgrades.

Securing established local talent like the Gilabert brothers is a smart, pragmatic move by Pentatech, proving that even in an era of remote diagnostics and digital twins, the corrugated machinery business still relies heavily on trusted, face-to-face relationships. As automation manufacturers scale their presence across Europe, will the hybrid model of centralized engineering and hyper-local commercial partnerships become the only viable path to secure market share? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai