one sales organisation and one distribution network. It has changed its focus from product-oriented to customer-oriented. Agrati Group has distribution units in Italy, Germany, France, the USA and China. In fact, 70 per cent of production is destined for export of which about 36 per cent is to Germany. This is a country where the four local branches of Agrati, in Braunschweig, Munich, Duisburg and Stuttgart, are able to closely support services for customers, thanks to their nearness to their plants. During the financial crisis in the USA and Europe, the company sold a lot in emerging countries, where sales in the automotive sector continued to grow.
High quality systems
Agrati’s research and development department works with special software for modelling and simulation in order to control feasibility and to decide the most appropriate cold forging cycle of the machine elements. Over the years Agrati’s quality system has received recognition from the most important customers in the world (such as Renault, PSA, Volkswagen, Fiat,
General Motors, Daimler and Ford) and it has been certified to ISO 9002 and ISO 9001. Moreover, the company has received the ISO TS 16949 certificate, becoming the first Italian producer to do so.
Innovative products
The range of fastening system is directed at specific sectors such as automotive, industrial vehicles and the building and electrical industries. So high technology and constant development are fundamental; for example, the company is working to produce lightweight nuts and bolts for eco-friendly cars. Agrati’s new products are made from light alloys. The company’s research and development department has introduced innovative products made of aluminium and magnesium-based alloys to help to reduce the weight of vehicles. This is a strong point for production for the Chinese market, since the government of China has recently announced its intention to invest in electric drive vehicles. The lightweight fasteners will help to achieve a low environmental impact and will make the n cars more efficient too.
