Balma Capoduri - La nostra storia

Our centenary history

The history, a precious wealth of experience, for Balma Capoduri & C. started in 1924. The considerable investment in machinery and facilities pointed to a clear industrial vocation of a Company where everything, from cardboard packaging to aluminium containers for one of its most successful products, “Coccoina”, used to be autonomously planned and produced within the Company.

Over the years, new technologies (information science and industrial automation), new products and needs (above all environmental protection) have developed; but Balma, Capoduri & C.- thanks to its experience and renewal oriented entrepreneurial philosophy – has always been able to keep up with the times, sometimes even ahead of its time: as an example, we can mention the pilot plant for reducing pollution both inside and outside the factory that was installed when ecological problems were no cause for concern as they are nowadays.

This dynamic entrepreneurial spirit underlines all the achievements of Balma, Capoduri & C. throughout a series of events where every fundamental stage is a necessary stepping-stone to the next one.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    Balma, Capoduri & C. is born

    Balma, Capoduri & C. is founded in Voghera and the "ZENITH" trade-mark is registered. In April its first products are shown at the Trade Fair in Milan: the "ZENITH" tray for copying letters with the relevant accessories, cloths and interleaves.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    Internationalisation

    The production of the "ZENITH" reinforcement punch starts. In a sole operation it punches paper sheets and applies gum-coated disks to protect the holes. The product is presented with success at the Paris Fair. The Company’s internationalisation has begun.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    The first models of staplers and wire staples

    The first models of staplers and wire staples bearing the "ZENITH" trade-mark are created: they are entirely planned, manufactured and packaged inside the Company.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    Coccoina is born

    It is the year in which the now mythical "Coccoina" is born. The "white solid office glue" which will have great success and as many imitations. Yet, the trade-mark, the formula (a white scented paste) and the original packaging (the typical metal container) unmistakably evoke its origin: Balma, Capoduri & C.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    Coccoina and the radio stations

    "Coccoina, Coccoina … It is not a drug but a solid glue that amazes and arouses enthusiasm in those who use it": from November 21st radio stations in Milan, Turin and Genoa start broadcasting commercials promoting the "Coccoina" trade-mark.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    The first plier stapler: ZENITH 507

    It is in these years that the first ZENITH plier stapler is born, made in aluminium alloy, practical and resistant.
    A unique design, that will be taken up again after a few years for the following staplers, until today.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    New models of staplers

    The Company starts the production of a new series of desk-staplers with the typical dome-shape, a stylistic solution inspired by some models of cars very popular at the time.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    The ZENITH Golden badge

    The difficult years of the war are only a bad memory. Reconstruction is easy and quick, thanks to close collaboration between managers and workers. To strengthen that solid relationship, the "ZENITH Golden Badge" is introduced to reward the most loyal and faithful workers and collaborators.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    The button-hole: ZENITH 548

    In response to the difficult post-war crisis, the "ZENITH" 548 plier is put on the market. But there is more: new products and new export targets such as Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, Canada and the U.S.A.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    Il "Compasso d'Oro"

    Balma, Capoduri & C. has always focused attention on the product starting from the planning stage. In recognition of this, the "ZENITH" 548 plier stapler is candidated for the "Compasso d’Oro", the most prestigious Italian prize for industrial design.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    A new success... ZENITH staples-remover

    Another very successful and amply imitated article is put on the market. It is the "ZENITH" staple remover, which still stands out from the others because of its fine finish and functionality, the latter supported by an ergonomical handle and by its ability to remove staples of any size.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    ZENITH star is renewed

    The new "ZENITH" trade-mark, a star with 5 points, is registered and as from that time it is a characteristic of all the mechanical accessories manufactured by the Company.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    Time of novelty... the desk stapler

    From Balma, Capoduri & C. another contribution towards more rational and efficient work: the desk stapler. Its main features are a top loading system, loading capacity of up to 250 staples, a new anti-jamming device and an elegant design.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    Coccoina becomes also liquid

    At the factory situated in Via Edison a new workshop becomes operative. Thanks to greater space, more efficient processing methods are adopted by employing sophisticated automation systems. The production of the liquid glue "Coccoina 84" starts in the same year and it will obtain the same commercial success as the "Coccoina" paste.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    ZENITH stapler becomes electric

    The "ZENITH" ELE 1 electric stapler - containing an internal removable stapler - is put on the market. In recognition of its quality and safety it is awarded the IMQ mark. Meanwhile, to facilitate the work of the sales department, all new packaging starts bearing bar codes.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    Always up to date

    The new surface-treating and finishing department becomes operative. Here, state-of-the-art technology with the new automatic spraying, degreasing and passivation plant - goes hand in hand with environmental protection. In the same year, the "ZENITH" 590 plier stapler is put on the market. It differs from the others in that it is easy to use, light, finely finished and can hold up to 200 staples.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    Balma, Capoduri & C. also becomes a distributor

    Balma, Capoduri & C. starts marketing articles not produced within the company. However, carefully selected with regard to their quality and reliability: "Carl" rolling slicers trimming boards and heavy duty punches, "Etona" heavy duty staplers and relevant staples, "Bilcom" pen and tape correctors.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    Lakol... the news stick glue

    A new trade-mark is added to "Coccoina", by now synonymous with glue. It is "LAKOL", a new, highly adhesive, solvent-free stick glue and therefore, Consumer friendly.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    ZENITH 595: the eclectic one

    This is the year of the launching of "ZENITH" 595 plier stapler. Made of metal with the cap in ABS shockproof plastic it combines qualities of great strength with non-common softness and lightness for a stapler which shows ideal for works of a certain care too. Unique in its kind, it can staple paper thickness of a certain consistence, using indifferently four staple sizes.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    Balma, Capoduri & C. is online

    Balma, Capoduri & C. in Internet. The web site shows the Company history, presents its distributive network, the lastest news and above all it gives the user the possibility to "browse" inside the complete catalogue discovering the features of the products with the aid of photographs and exhaustive technical information.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    The widening of the factory

    The company starts the realization of an extension to the factory of 12.000 sq. mt., in addition to the existing one of 8.500 sq. mt. built in different phases starting from 1974. The modernization trend continues and in a short time all the working proceeding currently in the old historical factory in the heart of the town, are transferred to the new building as placed in the surroundings of Voghera, between Torino-Piacenza motorway and the circular road of the town. As concerns the environmental defence, some special plants are present; specially for the check of atmosphere emissions, two types of purifying plants have been employed, one catalytic-based for the painting department emissions, the other one with living coal for the chlorinated solvents. For the effluents treating a chemical-physical purifying plant has been made.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    ZENITH staples-remover 586: a new masterpiece
    ZENITH stapler 590 fun: colour and creativity

    The new "ZENITH" staples remover ref. 586 is presented, together with the well-known "ZENITH" staples remover ref. 580, at the Fairs CART in Milan and PAPERWORLD in Frankfurt bearing the same high quality performance and attention to features, but in real pocket size. The "ZENITH" plier stapler ref. 590 FUN has the same characteristics as the 590 model, but it is also provided with an ABS anti-shock transparent coloured cap offering a choice of five brand-new and charming colour combinations. On the occasion of the 2000 SMAU Exhibition in Milan, it is pointed out among those articles to be candidated for the 33rd "SMAU Industrial Design Award".

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    Versatility of ZENITH 501

    The new "ZENITH" stapler ref. 501 shows an exceptional versatility and may be used as a desk-stapler but also, with equal ease, as a plier stapler, thanks to its well designed dimensions, the refined ergonomics of the base made in a special anti-slide plastic, pleasant to the touch.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    Coccoina family widens

    "Coccoina" family has been enriched with an important novelty: "Coccoina" glue sticks in 10, 20 and 40 g. sizes whose image recalls immediately and unmistakably "Coccoina" traditional colours: grey/aluminium colour of the famous tin and blue colour of the trade-mark . The innovative glue composition has been studied to be more adhesive and its almond fragrance is more definite ... according to the best "Coccoina" tradition!

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    The new seat of Balma, Capoduri & C.

    The building of the new offices, nearby the production plants, completed the moving of the historical seat of Viale della Repubblica to the new seat of Via Thomas A. Edison 4, Voghera.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    "Made in Italy" trademark

    Balma, Capoduri & C. has decided to print upon all the packs of its "ZENITH" and "Coccoina" products the new logo "made in Italy" clearly stating in an original way that they are all really and exclusively Italian.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    A great year

    Balma, Capoduri & C. is 90 years old and celebrates its history, made up of love for quality and search for perfection, in grand style with the production of a limited edition of "ZENITH" plier stapler ref. 548/E.
    And as if that were not enough, here also comes a new "Coccoina" product: it is called “Coccoina mia”, a vinyl glue which unites efficacy and handiness of use to the unique almond fragrance and the tradition of "Coccoina" trademark.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    New pages of history

    The new line of "Coccoina" paper products revives, in the almond scented pages of its notebooks and notepads, the best of the brand history, while writing for it a new and exciting chapter.
    Here come the new "ZENITH" Fermangoli corner clips, which allow you to turn the sheets more easily, keeping them well orderly thanks to their triangular profile: a surprising shape for a continuous search for quality, perfectly suited to the Made in Italy style.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    Balma, Capoduri & C. in full color

    The stapler par excellence wears new colours: here comes the ZENITH 548/E Pastel, available in three new "super-mat" pastel hues.
    Coccoina family enriches with the launch of the new Pastel line: paper products and the famous adhesive paste in aluminium tin, in four modern pastel hues, to give new colour to the unmistakable almond fragrance.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    A story... to be shown

    In the seat of Voghera the showroom is inaugurated, an open space where visitors can relive, model after model, the long history of the products ZENITH and Coccoina.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    The ZENITH GOLD line

    A selection of the most iconic ZENITH products in a special version, with golden finishing.
    Exclusive gift ideas to bring on all desks a concrete and brilliant sign of our quality and excellence, proudly Made in Italy.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    New image and website for Balma, Capoduri & C.

    Balma, Capoduri & C. renews and widens its presence on the web.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    The ZENITH desk Accessories lines

    Balma, Capoduri & C. expands its range of products with the innovative line of ZENITH desk Accessories characterized by coordinated design and unique style. A refined collection, modern, functional, strictly Made in Italy and treated in every detail.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    Year of innovation and sustainability

    The new ZENITH 590 CRAFT plier stapler presents the quality and practicality of always in a brand-new look. The original combination of colours – matching a wood-coloured cap to a bright body paint in the iridescent gold colour – makes this stapler a perfect gift idea for all the lovers of Made in Italy design.

    There is a novelty also in the Coccoina family: eCoccoina, the innovative liquid glue, even greener with its eco-friendly pack made for more than 70% with material of plant origin and its new formula composed for more than 80% of natural substances. Solvent-free, with strong adhesive power and the traditional almond fragrance.

  • Balma, Capoduri - La nostra storia

    A milestone in our history: our centenary

    100 years ago our adventure began. A wonderful journey that has never ceased to surprise us since 1924. A story made of love for quality, passion, innovation, design, courage and creativity, that we want to celebrate by considering this accomplishment also an opportunity to renew ourselves again and spend also the next 100 years together.

    The products created for our centenary are designed precisely for this reason, to continue to inspire the future with new proposals, but with the same values ​​as always.

Showroom

Glues, staplers, perforators, but also inks and much more: since 1924 to nowadays, the showroom hosts and displays the most historical and iconic ZENITH and Coccoina products, for a fascinating reliving of the past, a trip through the present and a projection into the future of the stationery products strictly Made in Italy.