Filtration innovation MP Filtri

FILTRATION INNOVATION

For 50 years, MP Filtri has been a paradigm of excellence, high technology and global service capability, producing filters for the hydraulic fluids sector with continuous investments in research & development and capacity expansion. Daniele Garavaglia reports.

Fifty years of entrepreneurial history, a widespread presence in over 100 markets worldwide, more than 350 employees across three factories (with a fourth to be launched in 2017) and a turnover of €50 million: these are just some of the reasons why Italian company MP Filtri is a leader in the field of industrial filtration. Founded in 1964 by Bruno Pasotto, with headquarters in Pessano con Bornago (Milan) and a production unit in England, MP Filtri was one of the first companies in the world to specialise in the production of filters for the hydraulics fluid sector.

“High quality, professionalism, innovation, excellence in the production processes, respect and regard for the customer are the key priorities that have made our filters unique throughout the world,” says Claudio Pastori, Technical and Marketing Director. An international outlook

The industrial plant in Milan is supported by an aluminium foundry for castings, and by a mechanical workshop for the treatment and processing of semi-finished products. Its wide product range is directed towards an international market, suitable for all industrial sectors where hydraulic controls are used. Production includes filters (suction filters, in line filters, pressure filters, stainless steel filters, spin-on filters and return filters) and structural components (pump-motor bell housings, motor drive power transmission coupling, elastic inserts, damping rings, mounting feet, aluminium tanks, inspection doors and so on). All of this is supported by intensive research and development and a large automated warehouse, developed in collaboration with Jungheinrich.

“To manage a very heterogeneous demand, originating from diverse markets, from the very start MP Filtri has had to develop its international dimension, opening sales offices, assistance and support to the client base, beyond the national borders. An in-country presence allows us to provide better logistics services to our clients, a product which is consistent with the environment in which the client company is located and higher confidence in facing local competition,” explains Pastori. The group currently has eight sales and operating offices in Germany, France, Great Britain, the US, Canada, Russia, India and China, and a network of resellers and distributors active in over 100 countries. 35 per cent of goods are sold in Italy with the remaining 65 per cent sold abroad.

“Thanks to our presence in the most coveted geographies and sectors, we are able to provide balance to our business, which is exposed to some healthy segments and others in difficulty. As such, a slowdown in the oil & gas sector results in a strong growth in demand for filters for agricultural and earth-moving machines, over and above a restart of industrial investments, for example the construction of machines for the working of plastic and rubber.” Today the production of cars and of vehicles with hydraulic fluid systems is carried out on a global level: “As we have a network of branches and distributors all over the world, we can follow and assist our clients wherever they have operating and production sites.”

Innovation is key

Attention to the client’s needs is still the springboard of innovation. For MP Filtri, innovation means being able to guarantee maximum customisation against a standardised product. The newly upgraded range of return filters, which provide the option of more independent attachments on the head of the filter – from two to five connections – is one example of this.

“This functional option was based on a serial product and resolves the issue of multiple connections, which cause problems with the working of the filters and render the management of the filtering less efficient,” adds Pastori. The Milan-based group is studying innovative solutions also with respect to materials, in particular in the field of polymers and filtering elements, with the aim of improving the performance of the cartridges. As of last year, MP Filtri has a cuttingedge research and development centre, which is situated next to the headquarters on a site of 1000m2, for internal staff and researchers from the Milan Polytechnic. Thanks to the use of new generation instruments, the laboratory allows the design office to conduct research and tests on products, which were previously unimaginable, to develop the products of the future.

This future also involves the British office, where the particle counters are produced: “It is a technical line which is allowing us to reach new markets, as these are in high demand where continuous and in-line measurement or measurement directly on the machine is required,” concludes Pastori, indicating the direction of the group’s growth: new products, increase of production and a greater market share. A leader’s business plan. n

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