Historical roots, a modern mind and a cautious attitude Galdabini

HISTORICAL ROOTS, A MODERN MIND AND A CAUTIOUS ATTITUDE

Through her conversation with Mr Luigi Galdabini, MD of the company bearing the same name, Barbara Rossi learns about the innovative products offered by this organisation of great tradition, as well as discussing the importance of caution.

Galdabini has really historical roots, having been established in 1890, and is based near Varese, northern Italy. The company is still owned and managed by direct descendants of the original founders, even bearing the same surname (currently the company is led by the fourth generation of the founding family). Since its beginnings Galdabini has always been known for its ingeniousness and will to take on new challenges.

Mr Galdabini presents his company to Industry Europe by saying, “Our range is organised into three areas: straightening systems, material testing machines and metal forming systems. More than 60% of our straightening systems are supplied to the automotive sector, but they are also used in the bearing, steel and general mechanics industries, and are even being employed in aeronautics. Metal forming systems are supplied to the kitchenware and household appliances sectors, as well as to the stainless steel and cylinder industries, among others. Material testing machines find an outlet in the whole industrial sector, mainly to test materials, but also for finished products, albeit in smaller volumes. In addition to the industrial sector, our testing machines are also purchased by research centres, schools and universities. To complete our offer, we also provide calibration certification services complying with European requirements. We started this activity to certify our own machines, but over the years it extended to certifying other types of devices produced by other companies.”

The company has been engaged in the development of environmentally friendly products, in particular with regard to energy savings, subscribing to the ‘blue philosophy’ of the tool machine trade association to which it belongs. In fact, thanks to both photovoltaic solutions and the attention paid to saving energy, the company is self-sufficient with regard to energy consumption. The systems manufactured by Galdabini are also increasingly designed so as to be very virtuous from an energy point of view. In 2011 an energy saving (ES) press machine (part of the Galdabini ES range) offering a 50 per cent reduction in terms of energy consumption was introduced on the market. As the rest of the products belonging to the same ES category, this machine was designed on the basis of a patent developed by the company years ago. The same concept has been used and adapted for the development of other presses and straightening machinery. This year new innovative straightening machines for very long bars and tubes have been launched, while in terms of material testing a recent addition has been a new 2000 kN test machine. This very large machine, which in consideration of its size and power could be expected to be very demanding in terms of energy usage, is actually very quiet and offers low power consumption. This is possible especially because it is an electromechanical rather than a hydraulic machine, a choice taken to guarantee precision levels.

All research & development is conducted internally. Galdabini has a technology centre, opened in 2007, which just in terms of set up cost €500,000, where clients are shown the company’s solutions and product development takes place. Here trials and tests are carried out for customers, as all machines are tailored to their needs.

Galdabini operates from two sites, respectively based in Italy and Switzerland. The latter site is mainly dedicate to service assistance,

although production of profile straightening machines also takes place here. Its main function is that of providing the machines and service required by customers based in German speaking countries. With regard to the Italian site, as well as having installed photovoltaic panels two years ago, last year Galdabini developed a new 2000sqm assembly area.

The main geographical markets served are Germany and China, followed by India, South America and Scandinavia. Ranking in third position are a few of the other European countries, including Italy. Overall export accounts for 85 per cent of turnover and are still growing, due to the economic crisis currently affecting Italy. “In future we intend to expand our presence in North America, where we already offer our products, but are currently penalised by the exchange rate; in addition to this we also plan to increase our market position in Thailand and Indonesia. I expect some growth, or at least a consolidation, in most of our non-European markets. In Europe it is a different story, even an excellent market such as Germany has started to delocalise production. We will carry on serving our German customers, even if some of them will no longer manufacture in Germany in future.”

Caution and good suppliers

“Acquisitions cannot be excluded, should an opportunity arise, but it is not something which we are planning to do. This is a very hard time for European companies. Remaining competitive is essential and in order to do this it is vital to be solid from a financial point of view and offer good products – which we do. I think that caution is an undervalued concept, which is very much needed at present. Like the three generations of the family which have preceded me in leading this company, which I have now managed for twenty three years, I value caution when it is the right time for it. I think that now maintaining financial solidity and staying close to customers is important. Maybe there will be a little less growth and development, but in this way we will take fewer risks. I am not talking about immobility, but about proceeding at the right pace. Maybe this concept is not appreciated by the financial world. I have this very pragmatic and concrete attitude, which means avoiding setting the wrong aim for my company. As a company we are currently in a solid and flourishing situation, and I would be pleased if we could be in the same state in ten years’ time.”

Galdabini’s health is proven by the fact that clients include names such as Bosch, Mercedes, Mannesmann and Ferrari. In fact the Italian racing car manufacturer has been a client of Galdabini for 30 years. Suppliers are also deemed to be very important. “Suppliers are fundamental, as to carry on being competitive we need good ideas, solid people and competent and capable suppliers.” n