moving with the times D.R.A

MOvING WITH THE TIMES

D.R.A. Srl is an Italian company based in Volvera, in the province of Turin, specializing in the design, assembly, and distribution of high-quality hydraulic motion systems for industrial application. Eugenia Fiusco talks to company owner Mr. Giulio Dolce about D.R.A. Srl’s products and its future direction.

IN 2001, D.R.A. Srl moved to its current headquarters in Volvera. The move resulted in a significant increase in productivity and the installation of a fully automated, vertical warehouse that was much larger and much more efficient.

Products and industrial applications

“The company specializes in the design, production, and sale of hydraulic systems and all their relative components, such as valves, cylinders, filters, hydraulic actuators, and, generally speaking, all parts necessary to build customized systems,” explained the owner of D.R.A. Srl, Mr. Giulio Dolce. “Our systems have a wide range of industrial applications: oil & gas plants, assembly processes and machines, water treatment plants, foundries and many more.”

A highly experienced team of staff, cutting-edge machinery, and equipment allow the manufacture of high-quality products. The systems are entirely assembled in-house, starting from the carpentry work on the raw tanks, followed by assembly and painting. Such high standards are possible thanks to the company’s technical staff with decades of experience in system design.

Hydraulic systems have a large variety of industrial applications and this is reflected in the number of industries that D.R.A. Srl supplies. “Our production lines are all aimed at industrial applications

and among the industries we supply there are the automotive, oil & gas and industrial machinery industries,” said Mr. Dolce.

To complete its service, the Italian company set up two additional dedicated commercial branches in 2004. These are strategically located in Castelletto sopra Ticino and Castagnole Lanze, between them covering the provinces of Novara, Vercelli, Verbania, Asti, and Alessandria. The two commercial branches, along with the main commercial department at the company’s headquarters, can easily support the needs of each region it covers, acting quickly and efficiently.

“We are very active in the national market, especially in the northern regions of Piemonte, Val d’Aosta, Liguria, and Lombardia. The European markets we serve are mainly Spain, France, and Germany.” In addition, Mr. Dolce explained that the company is actively looking to expand its business beyond Europe. “We are working to build a presence in the Arab world and Africa.”

Recent investments and news

D.R.A. Srl has lately invested significant amounts in the logistics and IT aspects of its business, implementing new hardware and software to optimize the warehouse management. The owner, Mr. Giulio Dolce, further explained: “For instance, we have introduced the use of barcode scanning in the warehouse, optimized packaging, and internal handling operations. Last but not least, we have focused on providing specialized services to our clients. As such, we have introduced an oil contamination analysis service and contaminated oil treatment that we are now applying to hydraulic fluid systems repair and maintenance services.”

Future goals

“Our future goals consist of strengthening and further developing the commercial side of the business through better and more efficient networks both in the domestic and foreign markets. Moreover, we are working to expand the sales of our hydraulic systems abroad. Finally, we are hiring more personnel to work in all areas of the business; that is, both the commercial department and the technical staff.”

As part of the plan to expand its presence and offer its clients and even faster and more efficient service, D.R.A. Srl is focusing on its online presence by improving its website and aims to launch the online sale of some of its production lines.

D.R.A. Srl has enjoyed a long-term collaboration with one of the world’s largest suppliers of hydraulic cylinders and parts for industrial applications, Parker. In Italy, some of the most valuable ongoing collaborations are with Berarma Srl and Fratelli Tognella SpA. n