Continuous improvement is the key to quality castings SCM Foundries

Gariglio Meccanica has been operating for over 50 years in the precision mechanics sector. The company is able to supply immediate and customised solutions in many industrial sectors, manufacturing complete systems and special machines, as well as carrying out small and medium series processing of any type of high precision mechanical components.

Tel.: +39.011.966.46.49 - +39.011.966.46.09 Fax: +39.011.978.53.29 E-mail: info@garigliomeccanica.com Web: www.garigliomeccanica.com www.bonanomi.it

Our company has been producing, machining and selling precision and control products for 60 years, contributing to the birth of the Italian metal and mechanical allied industries.

Today the business has established itself by working alongside the most important Italian machine tool manufacturers providing accessories for clamping systems while at the same time providing support to manufacturers of measuring machines.

As well as selling these products, the company also carries out machining work for customers and creates special ad hoc parts in every shape, size and material for special usages where structural calculations and sizing are necessary.

It is therefore leading the company towards new challenges and new markets, using the know-how and experience gained over the years in building and designing in the precision mechanics fi eld.

Via Jucker, 28 - 20025 Legnano (MI) - Italy T: +39 0331 466660 • F: +39 0331 465408 • E: gbonanomisnc@bonanomi.it

Talking about R&D, Mr Tamburini says “R&D is a defining feature of Fidia, conducted in a constant and continuous manner on a daily basis. It is targeted to product and process innovation. As leader or partner Fidia has participated in fifteen projects co-financed by the European commission, as part of its 7th research framework programme (for the period 2006-2013). Thanks to this involvement the Fidia R&D activities have been carried out on a continuous basis and the Fidia name has become renowned in cutting-edge technological contexts at the European level.”

Fidia has been listed since 2001 (currently on the London Stock Exchange). Recently there has been the appointment of the board for the 2014-2016 period, which sees Mr Giuseppe Morfino as CEO and MD, Carlos Maidagan as deputy CEO and the return of Mr Francesco Profumo, who had left the board in recent years due to his appointment as University and Research Minister in the Monti-led government.

In terms of group net revenue generated by the different sectors, 2013 has seen an increase of the percentage produced by aerospace, thus reducing the differential with its automotive counterpart: 40 per cent for aerospace and 49 per cent for automotive. The percentage generated by other sectors has further decreased, confirming a trend towards the core sectors. Geographically while the Chinese market is holding up very well, 2013 brought an increase of revenue generated in Europe (the European percentage has increased to 39 per cent from the 31 per cent of the previous year). Mr Piliego comments, “We are managing to benefit from growth in Europe and the West. In fact, after a crisis period, making investments in production machinery is vital.”

“The aerospace industry certainly offers us scope for growth, because global demand in this sector is on the increase both in Asia and in the West, particularly with reference to the civil sector. By now, we are established and renowned suppliers at a global level. We intend to develop internationally, following the development of the aerospace business at the global level. Looking at the data for the first 2014 quarter I can say that, the automotive sector is also picking up and that this is working in our favour. Unlike in previous years, customers show a trend towards investing in machinery and choosing Fidia as a supplier. Obviously in terms of the European automotive sector, the German market plays a very important role, but even the national, and more specifically Piedmontbased automotive sector, has shown signs of vitality, showing a counter-trend in comparison to the last ten years. Customers look to us as they need technology and innovation for their products and processes. Talking about suppliers, Mr Piliego and Mr Tamburini stressed their short-supply chain and the fact that for their products, which are all made-in-Italy, they use local suppliers of international standing, apart from for certain high-technology components sourced from German companies. n

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IS THE KEY TO QUALITY CASTINGS

Part of the SCM Group, SCM Foundries produces grey and nodular iron castings for a range of applications and industry segments. Sales Director Atomo Maffei talked to Barbara Rossi about the company and its increasing trend towards producing ever more complex and sophisticated products.