Turning up the heat Watts Industries Italia

TURNING UP THE HEAT

Part of the multinational company, Watts Water Technologies with its headquarters in Boston USA, Watts Industries Italia opened its doors officially in 1993, although Watts’ products had been on the market since the 1920s. From day one Watts Industries Italia proved to be one of the biggest players on the map that makes up Watts Industries Europe, writes Beverley Young.

Close to the Italian city of Monza, on the outskirts of Milan, Watts Industries Italia specialises in heating, air-conditioning and plumbing and all relevant appliances and accessories and has become a national leader in these markets with sales being generated through wholesale distributors and original equipment makers (OEMs). Apart from the factory near Monza Watts Industries Italia also operates another two factories, one in Trento and another close to the city of Ferrara. The Italian company is responsible for the markets of Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East and Watts Industries Italia contributes significantly to the €330 million total turnover of Watts Industries Europe.

Also, on a European level, a strong link exists between Watts Industries Italia and Watts Industries Germany owing to the fact that both countries are amongst the biggest producers of brass, an essential material for most Watts products and, not surprisingly, the two most important industrial fairs for this sector take place in Frankfurt and Milan.

Working with Nature

The Italian company has launched new heating systems such as quick-connect one-piece fittings, zone control and heat metering which is not only a plus for the consumer but, like most products produced by Watts, is also driven by the company’s energy saving ethos, reflected in their slogan, ‘Technology by Nature’.

“Our company has by tradition always been sensitive towards renewable energy and strongly contributes fulfilling the Kyoto pact of 20 per cent energy saving, 20 per cent C02 reduction and the use of 20 per cent renewable energy by 2020,” states the managing director, Mr Umberto Ferretti. “We are also leaders in solar energy and many of the components used in solar pumps units are made in Italy.”

Two new products which are specific to the energy-saving sphere are Domocal, which, with its 63 different models, can cover every specification and provides a high-capacity heat exchanger and Domocompact, a pre-assembled temperature control, thermal energy meter which gives independent room control and control of domestic water consumption. Both products enable every households to monitor and save on energy consumption.

Watts Italia’s very latest innovation, however, which will enhance the performance and efficiency of air conditioning and heating systems, has only recently been presented to clients at the Fair in Frankfurt. It is a new valve known as Francoil and could be a ground-breaker in energy saving for heating and air conditioning systems of the future.

Achieving excellence

In July 2010 the two Watts Industries Italia factories at Monza and Trento were awarded the Oliver Wight Class A Accreditation for Business Excellence following an integrated Business Planning Programme. Oliver Wight’s consultants helped to introduce a new management process which has dramatically improved supplies to customers with an on-time-in-full performance

passing from 68–72 per cent to 95 per cent. The project was led and followed by Mr Ferretti himself who states that it has brought the company savings in production of up to €300,000. Watts Spain and Germany, under Mr Ferretti’s guidance, will also be aiming at this Class A Accreditation in 2011. This certificate guarantees the highest level of company operations, enabling the monitoring of every step in the production process.

Having weathered the difficult year which was 2009 Mr Ferretti acknowledges that 2010 saw a clear improvement in profits and 2011 sees the company back on track. “We worked hard to reduce costs,” he says, “and have responded positively to changes in the market. The situation is far more stable now.”

Research and Innovation

When asked what foundations provided the basis for the company’s success Mr Ferretti underlined a continuous investment in research and development and an ability to renew and innovate production according to the needs of the market. Great importance is also given to customer service and satisfaction which is followed on a daily basis. He then concluded, however, by saying that the name Watts is itself a mark of approval as its long history and presence in world markets has become associated with a product of high quality and reliability. n