26 27 \ ALTITUDE local life In Lens, Cosimo Crisafulli Peinture has been a familiar name for three decades, representing transalpine family roots and professionalism. As they celebrate 30 years in business, Giuseppe shared his story from the heart of how he is continuing his father’s work while shaping the future in his own way (see sidebar). “My father came to Switzerland in the 1980s. He worked with a local company before going out on his own in 1995,” recalls Giuseppe, the current director. That’s how the business began – and now it’s celebrating its 30th anniversary. Such longevity is rare in the construction sector, a true testament to Cosimo's hard work, vision and perseverance. FROM HAUTE-NENDAZ TO CRANS-MONTANA The beginnings were hands-on and humble : “My father started out alone, then little by little, as theworkload increased, hewas able to hire a team,” Giuseppe recalls. A major turning point came with a series of projects in Haute-Nendaz, where the company took care of the plastering, insulation, and painting of several construction projects. Today, the company is well established in Lens and the surrounding area. But operating in a tourist destination like Crans-Montana brings with it specific challenges. “In summer, from July 31 onward, we must stop our work. The same applies during the winter high season,” Giuseppe explains. As a result, the plasterer-painters' work is organized around intense bursts of activity, interrupted by these forced breaks. CRAFTSMANSHIP AND KNOW-HOW In an environment where luxury chalets and second homes abound, expectations are high. Clients have high standards and expect perfection. A symbol of such expectations, wood is omnipresent in these homes. Whether it's treating structures, renovations, or maintenance, the scope of services at Cosimo Crisafulli Peinture is wide, requiring specific technical expertise. The company has specializes specifically in decorative work. “Each member of our team has their strength and area of expertise. This diversity of talent is a real asset in a field that requires both aesthetics and technique,” says Giuseppe. Current trends? Smooth, uniform walls—sometimes with a slightly textured finish—are in demand. The colorful patinas of the 2000s are long gone. And while DIY is gaining popularity among people, this trend doesn’t threaten Cosimo Crisafulli Peinture. Their clients want perfection– so theyprefer tohireprofessionals. A FAMILY BUSINESS “I officially took over the company two years ago. But this is the year I’ve truly taken the lead. I’m not alone in this journey- my sister Jessica handles the administrative side. I believe working as a family is important,” he says. This new generation is also gradually modernising the way they work. Cosimo preferred traditional methods, while his son aims to digitize office tasks. Schedules, invoices, and documents are now all handled online. This digital shift feels natural to Giuseppe, who, like many of his generation, plans his holidays usinghis smartphone. So, having a web presence made sense. THE CHALLENGE OF CONTINUITY The company employs four to five people on average, depending on the season. But hiring is difficult. These are physically demanding jobs, and few young people are willing to take them on—even though the work is plentiful. In Crans-Montana, demand is strong, though competition is real. There are many players on the Haut-Plateau, including companies from France and Italy, brought in by developers. “The future ? I see it with ambition, but without rushing. This 30-year anniversary is symbolic. I want to succeed in honoring what my father created,” he confirms. To do so, the young manager is taking it step by step, staying humble and focussed. “What I love about painting is that no two projects are the same. Every day is different,” he says. A work philosophy that perfectly matches the image of this hands-on family business : both authentic and demanding.
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