The process of making bronze bells hasn't altered much in 1,000 years at the Pontifical Marinelli Foundry. What's changing is where they chime, as Italy's oldest family business looks abroad to dodge the economy at home.

The company in Agnone, a small town about 220 kilometers (137 miles) southeast of Rome, has increased exports to 20 percent of its revenue, four times the proportion a decade ago. With the Italian economy entering a third year of recession, reliance on sales abroad is only going to get greater, said Pasquale Marinelli, who owns the foundry with his brother.

Read more

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com