Machines Italia Magazine 2005 by Italian Trade Agency

OPENING LETTER

A flexible

future Italian machinery gives competitive advantage to North American manufacturers

elcome to the 2005 edition of Machines Italia, a joint publication by the Italian Trade Commission and The Manufacturer, highlighting the design, creativity and flexibility of

Italian machinery. Design is Italy’s trademark, most visible in the consumer world where designer labels tend to have Italian names. What may be less evident to many (but what world class manufacturers Paola Bellusci,

know) is that Italian leadership in design extends to equipment and machine tools, too.

Trade Commissioner And when we say manufacturing, we are not simply talking about components for the automotive industry. You can get superior metalworking machinery from Italy, of course, but Italian machinery makers also serve industries such as agriculture, foundry, glass, packaging, plastics, textile machinery and wood, to mention a few.

Italian Trade Commission Address: 401 N. Michigan Avenue Suite 3030 Chicago, Illinois 60611-4257 Toll-Free: 1-888-ITALTRADE / 482-5872 (U.S. and Canadian Callers)

This magazine is bursting with the testimony of North American manufacturers who use Italian machinery. Our features on world class manufacturing, agility, maintenance and overall equipment effectiveness show how Italian machinery contributes to competitive advantage. In a world where change is the only constant, however, the increasing demands of globalization require that manufacturers respond, rapidly, to changes in customer demand. Industry analyst Bob Parker argues in his article Flexible Factories that the “single purpose manufacturing plant” is poorly suited to the demands of the modern environment. “Many manufacturers do not have excess capacity, they have the wrong capacity, and I believe there

Telephone: (312) 670-4360 (outside the U.S. and Canada)

will be a major effort to re-tool production capabilities around smaller, more flexible factories,”

Fax: (312) 264-6209

the plant and be easily re-configured.”

E-Mail: info@italtradeusa.com Web Site: www.machinesitalia.org

he says. “Machinery will have to be multi-purpose and support rapid changeover in tooling and materials. The machinery will be required to work in concert with other pieces of equipment in

That sounds like a recipe for Italian machinery to me.

Sincerely,

Paola Bellusci Trade Commissioner—Chicago

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Table of

contents 4

Machines Italia News Updates on the activities of Italian companies in the United States

Flexible Factories: The Recapitalization of American Manufacturing

The single purpose manufacturing plant is poorly suited to modern manufacturing, argues Bob Parker

A Class Apart

To succeed in a global market, manufacturers must strive to be world class. Italian machinery can give them an edge

Availability, Productivity, Quality It makes sense to monitor the performance of your machinery. The best manufacturers use the principles of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

The Ugly Duckling Maintenance has traditionally been low on the agenda, but successful manufacturers make it a cornerstone of their improvement strategies

Agility Inside

Lean manufacturing is almost a given these days. What really sets the best companies apart is agility

Trade Bodies Send Students Packing A competition gives packaging students an opportunity to win a trip to Italy

Sponsoring Innovation

Machines Italia sponsors two major North American events

Trade Shows in Italy A list of exhibitions in Italy sponsored by our partner associations

Innovation at work

A summary of Machines Italiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 14 partner associations and their industries

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MACHINES ITALIA NEWS

Machines Italia

news

News Briefs Eni Petroleum Eni Petroleum Exploration Co, a Houston-based subsidiary of Eni S.p.A of Milan (www.eni.it), has acquired the Alaskan assets of Denver independent Armstrong Oil & Gas, which comprise 104 leases on the North Slope and in the Beaufort Sea. Price of the acquisition was not disclosed. Eni said it would explore the onshore and offshore lease blocks, where total net reserves are expected to exceed 170 million barrels of oil. Rulmeca Corporation Rulmeca Corporation (www.rulmecacorp.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Italian company Rulli Rulmeca S.p.A. (www.rulmeca.it), a leading global manufacturer of motorized pulleys for bulk handling, is now assembling motorized pulleys in Wilmington, NC. Built specifically for belt conveyors, the pulleys are designed with the motor and gearbox hermetically sealed in the steel shell. Associated Equipment Distributors, Inc. approved Rulmeca’s membership May 2005.

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AMUT cleans up in California Amut S.p.A (www.amut.it) has secured a contract

will enable them to better serve their clients and

to supply Global PET, located in Perris, California,

expand their business.”

with a complete washing process to produce 2,000

The premier attraction of the AMUT patented

kilograms of clean R-PET flakes per hour. It is the

process is the high quality of the clean PET flakes it

first of its type to be sold in North America, the first

produces. The second was the cost of operation.

PET recycling plant operating in California and the

The plant uses a very low amount of water—one

only R-PET recycling washing operating west of the

pint to clean one pound of dirty PET flake—and the

Mississippi River.

minor use of chemicals in the cleaning process. The

“Global is one of the largest recyclers of postconsumer PET flakes in the western US. They

system is fully automated, a critical factor in California and any high labor cost area.

presently supply PET flakes to a number of clients in the US market place,” said Anthony Georges, vice-president AMUT North America. “They realized that they could better serve their clients and expand by cleaning their recycled PET flakes. With the AMUT system, they will be able to wash over 40,000,000 pounds of dirty post-consumer bottles, which are presently collected in the Californian

market

place,

from

municipal

collection and deposit collection agencies. That

AMUT S.p.A. plans, manufactures, assembles and starts-up recycling plants, like this PET plant, for industrial and post-consumer thermoplastic scraps.

Italian tire manufacturer expands in US Marangoni Tread N.A. Inc. (www.marangoni.com)

International

began manufacturing tires in Madison, TN last

Foundation. Marangoni uses a precured retread

year. It has now announced a $2.5 million

technique, a process in which strips of pre-treaded

expansion of the plant, formerly used by Pirelli.

rubber are applied to tire casings. Patented in 1976,

High-tech tire retreading equipment is to be added,

Marangoni’s process is seamless, giving greater

bringing Marangoni's total investment up to

wear than most retreads, which leave a splice seam.

around $10 million.

Tire

and

Rubber

Association

Based in Verona, Italy, the Marangoni Group

Retread tires sell for 30 to 50 percent of the cost

was founded in 1950 and is a European leader in

of comparable new tires, saving the trucking

both the new and retread tire market. The retreads

industry some $2 billion a year, according to the

are sold in the US under the Ringtread name.

Giardina improves wood finishing quality

Americans don’t cook pasta properly, new survey finds In a recent survey commissioned by world-leading manufacturer Barilla Pasta (www.barillaus.com) and conducted by Harris Interactive, 88 percent of U.S. adults said they cook pasta; 35 percent do so at least once a week. But 51 percent said they always or sometimes rinse it after cooking—a mistake if serving warm, because rinsing washes away natural starches that allow sauces to adhere. Adding olive oil to cooking water doesn’t enhance taste and causes sauce to slide off.

Giardina’s MOS system, which uses a particular wave length in the microwaves field, allows rapid drying of water-based lacquers without heating and without causing the raising of the wood surface.

In an effort to educate Americans about authentic Italian methods, Barilla has created a free brochure: Pasta 101: A Guide to Cooking and

Giardina Finishing Systems USA, Inc. (www.giardina-usa.com), based in

Identifying Quality Pasta. “In Italy, pasta is treated

Louisville, KY, is helping US woodworking and furniture manufacturers to speed

with respect, and cooked al dente every time,” said

up production and improve painted finishes through the use of microwaves.

Lorenzo Boni, executive R&D chef, Barilla America.

“Giardina microwave drying equipment accelerates the drying process,”

“Barilla makes it easy even for novices to experience

said Adam Verse, company president. But that isn’t the only benefit. “Because

this perfection that Italians enjoy daily because, for

they dry paint from the inside out, microwaves prevent fluids from penetrating

more than 125 years, the Barilla family has used the

the wood and raising fibers. It allows more coating to stay on top of the

best quality ingredients for their pasta.”

substrate, giving a better film build and better finish.” Giardina was incorporated in the US in 1997, just as manufacturers began moving away from solvent-based to water-based paints. “As just-in-time delivery took hold, flatline gained in popularity, ahead of conventional hanglines and cart-based drying,” Verse said. Eggers Industries, of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, which produces architectural doors, frames, molding material and ceiling tiles, has used Giardina equipment to cut cycle time and labor costs. And word is spreading. “We’re seeing smaller companies and manufacturers of residential wood products, like kitchen cabinets, adopting our equipment for shorter runs and lower volume production,” said Verse. Giardina’s Louisville office provides sales, support and service facilities, as well as a technical laboratory.

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MACHINES ITALIA NEWS

News Briefs ITALIAN MACHINE TOOL EXPORTS The total value of exports of Italian machine tools in 2004 topped $2,374 million, the highest since the 2001 peak of $2,625 million (current exchange rates). Sales to North America totaled $245 million; US purchases rose by 7.6 percent. The sales rise was strong across all manufacturing sectors, from metal cutting to electroerosion. (Figures from UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE (www.ucimu.it), the association of Italian manufacturers of machine tools, robots, automation systems and ancillary products). IVECO MOTORS Iveco Motors of North America (www.iveco.com) has appointed Mid-Atlantic Engine Supply to distribute and service Iveco engines in Maryland, Delaware, Philadelphia metro, and counties in New Jersey and Virginia. Rudox Engine and Equipment will provide the same service and support in New York City and Fairfield, Litchfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut. Northern Power Products will supply engines and serve OEMs in ground support, construction, agriculture, power generation and other industrial markets in Minnesota and South Dakota.

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Maserati, Alfa Romeo return to North America Automotive industry veteran James G. Selwa has been appointed CEO of Maserati of North America. (www.maserati.com). Effective June this year, Maserati USA separated from Ferrari USA. The new company will also be responsible for the reintroduction of Alfa Romeo autos into the US. A long-time auto industry professional, Selwa (53) previously headed Rolls-Royce North America, was CEO of Lotus Cars North America and has also been involved with Panoz Motor Sport and Volvo Cars. While no date has been set for Alfa’s return, American fans of the brand are likely to be counting the minutes.

The Alfo Romeo 159

Cefla—the finishing experience

Italian manufacturers target California agribusiness

Cefla Finishing (www.ceflafinishing.com) will be displaying products and services at two upcoming major exhibitions: Woodworking Machinery and

Italian manufacturers are introducing a range of

Supply Expo at the International Center,

equipment aimed squarely at California’s specialty

Mississauga, Toronto, On, October 28-30; and

farming businesses. Sfoggia, (www.sfoggia.com),

Carolinas

Agricola Italiana (www.agricola.it) and others

Industrial

Woodworking

Expo,

have introduced planters specially developed for

February 16-17, 2006. The world leader in finishing technology, Cefla

the 80-inch wide beds used by California

offers a complete range of solutions for all finishing

vegetable growers. A large Californian vegetable

needs. Reciprocating spray, roll coat, conventional

producer has been using a Mosa (www.mosa.it)

and UV drying, molding,

transplanter tray filling and seed line for some

finishing

profile

years and further systems are now in use across

sanding systems ensure

the state. Specialty spinach and baby greens

their clients’ requirements

harvesters from Ortamec are no longer a rare

for superior finishing

sight. Its newest harvester uses an automatic

quality and production

height control system to cut corn salad and similar

are achieved.

crops just below the soil surface.

and

Ford and Fiat set up new Italian Job

Fast casual dining in a trattoria-style setting

Just seven months after its

Toastissimo Café (www.toastissimo.com) has

divorce from General Motors, Fiat

opened its first US site, in Orlando, Florida,

(www.fiat.com) is going to the

September 2005, offering ‘fast casual dining’ in a

automotive altar with Ford. In a

Roman Trattoria-style setting. Three hundred are

memorandum of understanding,

proposed to open in the US over the next five

the two companies pledge to

years. "The menu offers authentic, Roman-style

work together on new versions of

bread coupled with a fabulous array of distinctive

their small cars. The short-term targets are likely to be a revival of

ingredients and natural foods imported directly The Seicento replaced Fiat’s iconic Cinquecento in 1999

Fiat’s iconic Cinquecento (500),

from Europe," said Marc Topiol, co-owner and company president.

and Ford’s Spanish-manufactured Ka sub-compact. The partners expect to gain benefits in reduced development and material costs in a sector where margins are ultra-slim, while still producing very different vehicles. Fiat is to invest around $12 billion in 20 new models between now and 2008.

Breaking news from Indeco Indeco North America (www.indeco-breakers.com), of Stratford, Connecticut, introduced its new, 19-model HP Series of breakers at ConExpo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Technological improvements include increased hydraulic efficiency. The variable power system automatically senses the hardness of the material being broken, adjusting the impact per blow for maximum operating

Tractor agreement

efficiency. A slimmer profile design enables easier entry into restricted areas

The Italian group Same Deutz-Fahr Italia S.p.A.

and narrow openings. Improved silencing complies with night work and

(www.samedeutz-fahr.com), one of the world

indoor demolition noise requirements.

leaders in tractors, diesel engines and farming machinery, has reached a strategic agreement with

Celli Bioflash is effective methyl bromide replacement

Farmtrac North America LLC (a subsidiary of Escorts Ltd of New Dehli, India), to market the entire range of Same tractors in the United States and Canada.

Italian company Celli S.p.A. (www.celli.it), a major manufacturer of power-

The agreement covers two-wheel and four-wheel

driven tillage tools, has launched a soil anti-pathogen system to replace

drive tractors in the 75-115 HP category which will

methyl bromide, which is being phased out because of its ozone-depleting

now be produced and marketed under the Farmtrac

side-effects. Celli Bioflash uses steam, previously regarded as too slow and

color and brand name. The deal extends Farmtrac’s

expensive for open-field use. Bioflash deploys a rotary tiller and chemical

range and offers SDF a network of over 300 dealers.

applicator to mix anti-pathogens with steam and produce a more effective

Previously, the Italian company had marketed its

bug killer than steam alone—and costs less. Celli Bioflash is already in

tractors in the US through its own subsidiary.

commercial use in Australia and Italy and is covered by Italian, Australian, US and other patents.

The plan foresees a regular income of more than $10 million a year.

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EXPERT ANALYSIS

Flexible

factories:

The re-capitalization of American manufacturing Conventional wisdom has written the obituary for volume manufacturing in the US. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not all about labor costs and regulation, says Bob Parker

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he developed economies of the United States

including mass customization, lean manufacturing

and Europe are widely believed to be non-

initiatives, and high energy prices.

competitive in the global economy because of their

The typical customer in developed markets has

high labor and regulatory costs. But the

become quite demanding. They have come to

widespread migration of volume manufacturing in

expect everything from custom packaging sizes on

the United States is largely a myth. Yes,

everyday items to personalized automobiles. This

manufacturing is changing significantly, but the

has resulted in an explosion in new products.

change is not driven by low cost options alone.

In consumer packaged goods, new product

Many other converging factors are also in the mix,

introductions have soared to over 30,000 items a

year from less than 16,000 fifteen years ago. More

near-term volatility, energy costs have permanently

new models or updates of automobiles will be

escalated and changed the supply chain economics

introduced in the next five years than were

for many manufacturing firms. Part, if not all, of

introduced in the last 20, and it will only get worse

the advantages of sourcing products in low-cost

as custom dosages in pharmaceuticals, made to

regions is offset by rising logistics costs. This

order automobiles, and personalized electronic

change in the cost structure has led to more

devices become prevalent. So, there is still volume

companies employing postponement strategies—

manufacturing, but the product mix is much more

moving the final manufacturing steps as close to

diverse. The good news is that the ability to

the point of purchase as possible.

respond to demand is the hallmark of Italian

These factors have led to manufacturing

machinery makers. US manufacturing giants

strategies that include factories that produce highly

Boeing and Caterpillar both embrace the concept

specialized products as close as possible to the

of agile manufacturing, and both use Italian-made

customer at the exact point of demand. The existing,

machinery in their assembly plants, as you will see

single-purpose manufacturing plant is poorly suited

from the article “Agility inside” in this magazine.

to support this approach and the machinery within

Lean manufacturing has been the talk of the industry for the last few years. Derived from the

those plants is obsolete. North America does not have excess capacity, it has the wrong capacity.

principles of the Toyota Production System, lean is

As such, I believe there will be a major effort to

being widely applied across all manufacturing

re-tool production capabilities around smaller,

segments. The basic tenets of rapid tooling

more flexible factories. Billions of dollars will be

changeover and synchronizing production to

spent to move industry from the mass production,

demand will forever change how factories are

economy of scale approach to the mass

managed. The benefits to manufacturers are huge

customization, economy of scope approach. Make

in terms of costs, cycle times, and space, so you can

no mistake, there is a robust market for industrial

expect to see adoption of lean operations continue

machinery in North America, but the products

to accelerate.

must support these new realities.

Lean is essentially about the elimination of

Italian machine makers strive for “flexible

waste, and every hour of machine breakdown and

automation,” which sounds like a contradiction but

setup is a nonproductive hour. Italian machinery

which is explained beautifully by Bill Bossard,

manufacturers

VP Sales & Marketing for Salvagnini America

incorporate

high

levels

automation and robotics and have achieved a combination of leanness and agility through technical

advancement.

Marco

Bob Parker is Vice President of Manufacturing Insights, one of IDC’s industry research companies that provides research and analysis on best practices and the use of information technology.

(www.salvagnini.com), in the article on agility. Machinery will have to be multi-purpose and

Livelli,

support rapid changeover in tooling and materials.

managing director of Jobs S.p.A. (www.jobs.it)

The machinery will be required to work in concert

once observed of Italian manufacturing: “We must

with other pieces of equipment in the plant and be

learn to consider evolution in technology as a daily

easily re-configured. High levels of information

Opposite page

and not an extraordinary event.”

capture and automated control should be part of the

(Clockwise from top left) Salvagnini, Jobs, Pulimetal (www.pulimetal.it), and Mandelli Sistemi (www.mandelli.com) all offer flexible manufacturing solutions to American manufacturers

In the light of recent events, the price of oil is

integrated package. Supporting these requirements

unlikely to drop below $50 per barrel in the near

will translate to success in a market that is being

future. Some experts have even predicted triple

overshadowed in the media, but remains robust in

digit prices by the end of the year. Regardless of the

practice. As usual, the Italians are way ahead.

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WORLD CLASS MANUFACTURING

A class

apart

The world has got much smaller and the global market is tougher than ever—and it’s only going one way. Ruari McCallion looks for the roots of success

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his country may import a lot of equipment,

Now, world class isn’t something that carries

consumer goods and capital items from

an accreditation, like ISO9000, or TS 14000. It

overseas but ask any manufacturer if it’s easy to

can, therefore, be an easy claim to make. But it’s

sell into the US, the answer will be a resounding

not so easy to live up to. No company sets out

“no”. America may be the world’s biggest market

with the intention of being second-class, but

but it’s also the toughest. To succeed in this

being world class takes more than good

market, any company has to be better than

intentions. Customers know what world class

good—it has to be world class.

looks like and so do competitors. It isn’t simply

about quality. A manufacturer may make the

and, increasingly, for the auto industry. Since 2001,

outstanding product in its class but it doesn’t end

the company has moved from importing finished

there. There are issues of customer service, agility

products from its parent factory in Italy, AOM S.p.A.

and response to the marketplace, reliability, after-

(www.asturooriginalimaves.com) to assembling and

sales support and—of course—cost.

testing in its plant in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The

These days, it’s become almost expected for significant elements of a manufactured product to be

shift has brought a number of benefits, to AOM itself and to its customers.

made overseas, especially in the Far East, and

“Take one pump: it could be wall mounted,

primarily for reasons of cost. But the best isn’t

cart mounted or pail mounted. By switching to

necessarily the cheapest, either. Italian companies

bringing in parts with a single inventory, we can

have a long-established reputation for excellence in

assemble the products as they’re required,”

engineering—in the auto sector, for example. Ask

Zimmerman said. “If we bought guns from the

anyone for a shortlist of the world’s best sports cars

factory pre-assembled, we’d have no choice but to

and the names Ferrari (www.ferrari.com) and

hold a lot of SKUs. With our single set-up, when

Maserati (www.maserati.com), will be on it,

we get an order in, we pull out the right kit, apply

along with Lamborghini (www.lamborghini.com).

the needle nozzle or air cap, as required, and

Shoes—think Prada (www.prada.com). Clothes—

assemble it. It could be used as a cup gun or

Dolce

(www.dolcegabbana.it).

production gun—whatever’s required.” The late-

Household items—Alessi (www.alessi.com). Italian

in-the-day assembly also allows AOM to

names are well represented among the world’s

customize its products for the American market.

Gabbana

leading brands and they carry a deserved reputation

“Hoses and other fittings in the US are

for quality, but these are just the tip of the iceberg.

different from the EU. Some accessories we don’t

Italian companies are involved in a wide range of

get from Italy —we use cups from Taiwan, which

manufacturing activities, supplying both US

keeps the price down, as well as conforming to

consumer markets and US industries. In order to

US standards,” he said. Sourcing this sort of

succeed, they have to be very good indeed.

commodity from Taiwan has proved so effective

Prof. Daniel Jones and James T. Womack, the

that AOM’s Italian parent is now following suit,

godfathers of lean manufacturing and the authors

and it’s not the only example of how responding

of The Machine that Changed the World, have

to the demands of the market has helped the

talked and written extensively about driving

company to improve its performance; but it’s very

waste out of the system. Another point they

much a two-way street and Italian innovation

make, time and time again, is that it’s very

gives the US company a distinct advantage in the

difficult to achieve long-term cost savings,

American marketplace.

flexibility, market responsiveness and outstanding

“Our equipment uses small compressors, which

customer service by shipping finished goods

we get from Italy. They work on less air than both

halfway round the world—especially when those

domestic and Far Eastern competition. Our main

goods are bulky and heavy.

competitor’s compressor needs 23 cubic feet of

“When we first set up in the US, we had to buy

air—ours needs just five to seven,” he explained.

completed products,” said Dan Zimmerman,

“The advantage to us—and our customers—is

managing director of AOM America, which

simple: a lot of shops simply don’t have as much as

manufactures spraying equipment for woodworking

23 cubic feet of air to begin with!”

Opposite page SACMI’s latest filling machine, the Solo Mas 14/60/15 COMBO, features a filler designed to fill plastic bottles with non-fizzy products in an ultra-clean environment, a blower connected to the filler via a synchronisation system, and a capper.

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WORLD CLASS MANUFACTURING

Locating late assembly and testing in the US means that AOM’s freight charges are lower and the

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the forefront of development in track and trace.

space it needs to store inventory is, consequently,

“We have been supplying rugged RFID products

much less—CKD kits take up less space than full

to industry since 1985,” said Brad Todd, marketing

units and there isn’t the same need to carry masses

manager

of options in assembled form. That has enabled

(www.ems-rfid.com) in Scotts Valley, CA. Escort is a

AOM America to abandon plans to expand its

Datalogic (www.datalogic.com) company. “We

storage capacity—a significant saving in itself—and

make rugged and modular RFID systems for

also allows the company to proclaim on its packages

industrial environments. Our products are highly

that the product inside has been assembled and

‘connected’, meaning they can communicate with

tested in the US, using American labor. The

many different factory automation hosts, such as

components ship into the country by air cargo,

PLCs and PC based hosts. Our products have

which is an expensive way of moving goods, but

developed an industry reputation for being

fast. “The short lead time we are able to offer by

premium products in these environments.”

with

Escort

Memory

Systems

using air cargo is very important. The market

Logistics is very much at the top of Cosmed

expects equipment to be in stock,” Zimmerman said.

USA’s (www.cosmed.it) agenda, too. It makes

The key factors for Champion Industries

cardiovascular and other medical equipment at its

(www.championindustries.com) are design and

Rome plant and exports to the US through its office

after-sales service. The American headquarters is in

in Chicago, Il. “Our key issues are minimizing our

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where it designs

stock holding but at a level that enables us to

and makes commercial dishwashing machines for

service our customers in a timely fashion,” said

hotels, restaurants, and other heavy-use customers.

Thomas Dievert, director of operations. “We always

Again, it differentiates its products for the

hold enough to service a few orders but, if we get a

American market but it goes further than AOM.

huge order or a few at the same time, it clearly

“In Europe, you find a lot of small dishwashing

presents a challenge.” The lead time for Cosmed’s

machines, for coffee bars, pubs and snack bars,”

K4B2 cardio-pulmonary exercise testing machine is,

said Hank Holt, vice-president of Ali S.p.A,

on average, 45 days.

(www.aligroup.it),

at all surprising to find that an Italian company is at

the

holding

company.

“Generally, our customers recognize that they’re

Champion Industries fabricates its own metal and

not going to get the machine straightaway. What

assembles componentry, including pumps and

can be important is that they get confirmation of

motors. “Our US operation is independent but

order, for their budget and timing,” he said.

there is very close co-operation between our

Naturally, Cosmed delivers. It’s able to penetrate

designers in America, Canada, Italy and New

the US market—the most competitive in the world

Zealand. We share ideas—we try to be as lean as

for medical equipment—because its products are

possible, for example, and are constantly striving

innovative and market leaders.

to reduce overheads. We avoid duplicate handling,

“We are the leader in our market in Europe

we hold stock on the assembly line and use kanban

and, in the US, we really have only one competitor.

replenishment to our manufacturing cells.”

The thing that sets us apart is that our product is a

Italian companies aren’t the only ones who face

portable unit,” Dievert continued. “Our products

challenges in the logistics area but, given their efforts

are bought and used by hospitals, private clinics,

to ensure delivery on-time in full, every time, it’s not

universities and every department in the Army.”

Sports organizations will also find it useful because

order to keep up with the output of the filler, we’ve

it can be used on-site, rather than requiring

put in a faster capper machine. Downstream, we

athletes to trek back to the central offices. K4B2 is

have to cool the product before we label it. That’s

the first portable system to measure gas exchange

a delay at the moment: prior to our acquisition of

on a true breath by breath basis. Its technology

the SACMI machine, the cooler was just fine,” he

enables the exploration of physiological responses

said. Knouse produces its apple sauce all year

in the field during very fast and brief events, or

round, thanks to its installation of controlled

while recording data over a period of many hours.

atmosphere storage of fresh apples. The sealed

However, as has been observed many times before,

room has all its oxygen replaced with nitrogen,

innovation is an advantage but, in isolation, it can’t

which arrests the decaying process—you can’t have

guarantee success.

oxidation without oxygen, after all. At each stage,

“We’ve introduced field service managers to

the company is investing in improvements to raise

raise our level of customer support and we’re

its productivity. It has achieved some solid success

available from 7am to 5 or 6pm every day,” he said.

and is looking to go further.

Customers like that but they also like the machine to be up and operating as much of the time as possible. Cosmed is proud of its record in that area. “Everything is very easily fixed due to the board capacity, which minimizes downtime. That’s the best argument for our product—serviceability and

“We’ve had to do virtually nothing to it in maintenance terms: no major rebuilds, nothing. We simply follow the instructions.”

maximum uptime.” Maximizing productivity was the driver behind Knouse Foods’ adoption of SACMI Imola (www.sacmi.com)

equipment

its

“We beat the bushes every year to get the funds

apple

to improve the weakest link in the chain,” Vogel

processing plant in Chambersburg, PA—but they

said. “We’ve got more spray bars, we’ve added

got outstanding reliability, too. “We bought the

cooling towers and improved pump efficiency. On

SACMI filler back in July 1994,” said Bill Vogel,

that particular line, we’ve improved our efficiency

maintenance and purchasing manager. “We’ve had

numbers by about 10 percent; we’re shooting for

to do virtually nothing to it in maintenance terms:

another 10 percent now.”

no major rebuilds, nothing. We simply follow the

Knouse’s experience suggests that it’s almost a

instructions.” The machine is the only filler on the

case of “buyer beware—Italian machinery will oblige

company’s line so the reliability record is not only

you to raise your game across the board”. But that’s

impressive—it’s kept the company producing, with

not a bad thing: the competitive marketplace

no breakdown to the SACMI equipment in the 11

requires it anyway. What Italian companies are

years it’s been on the line.

demonstrating, as they increase and extend their

One of the potential drawbacks of modern

presence in the US, is that Italy isn’t simply the home

manufacturing techniques—like lean—is that

of the world’s most beautiful cars, desirable shoes

single-piece flow makes the whole line only as

and outstanding clothes. It’s innovation, commitment

strong as its weakest component. Having a reliable

to excellence, attention to the issues that matter—

filler has drawn attention to other parts of the line

customer service and lead times—that are pushing

that offered opportunities for improvement. “In

the Italian story of world-class performance.

www.machinesitalia.org

OVERALL EQUIPMENT EFFECTIVENESS

Availability, productivity

quality

George Schultz talks with a range of manufacturers to find out how they monitor their machinery—and what they call the process

any manufacturers practice it to advantage

Consider National Spinning Co. of Washington,

“It” is Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

North Carolina, obviously in the textiles industry.

monitoring to enable the interrelated analysis of

This company’s production ranges from yarns in

asset performance, quality results, and output rates,

one plant all the way through to finished consumer

and thus improve manufacturing productivity.

goods in its other four North Carolina divisions; for

The terminology is not important. Whatever

the benefits of OEE, formal strategy or not.

without realizing it is a recognized strategy.

example, sweaters for apparel retailers and

Above

they call it (even if they have a term), many

(Left) Savio’s Gemini two-forone twister (Right) The TensorFlex process in Savio’s Orion automatic winder

manufacturers employ the methodology in whole

National Spinning covers a broad swath of

or in part to bolster more profitable plant

OEE-type data measurement—equipment usage

operations. Here is how some companies achieve

(including maintenance and availability), machine

1-888-ITALTRADE

knitting yarn carried by craft stores.

output, and quality performance. “Yes, we can get

better than standard efficiency tolerances, we may

information from all three of those areas from the

be able to take it off one product line earlier and

system we have set up in our plants,” says Jim

switch it to another product. So, machine

Booterdaugh, director of manufacturing across the

performance data can influence planning.”

firm’s five plants. The program was implemented

Italian-made machines are the main equipment

by the company’s IT staff with software also

in some National Spinning plants. It has “more than

developed in-house.

50 each” of Marzoli S.p.A. (www.marzoli.it) carding

“Typically,” he says, “we have a standard at

equipment and Savio S.p.A. (www.saviospa.it)

which we believe each machine should operate

spinning equipment. A third Italian vendor, Obem

based on the complexity of the product. The

(www.obem.com), provides dyeing machines.

standard is established in a range from 80 to 95

Anchor Hocking Glass Inc., based in Lancaster,

percent of what each respective machine is capable

Ohio, places prime emphasis on the maintenance

of producing during the time it is running. We

and availability side in its approach to OEE

track the actual output of the machines and

objectives. “One of the things that’s interesting,”

compare it to those standards.”

remarks Doug Engrim, manager of manufacturing

The procedure then tracks “standard efficiency”

engineering at the Lancaster plant, “is that we’re a

meaning, Booterdaugh explains, “if over 100

‘24/7’ operation so, when you turn a machine on,

percent, they’re performing very well; if less than

it’s on for weeks, months at a time. Talk about

100 percent, then we didn’t meet our targets.”

‘effectiveness’; it’s always on!”

These

standards

maintenance

That facility manufactures glass tableware, as

schedules, but “if a machine is failing unexpectedly,

differentiated from glass containers or plate glass

then

standard

products. Engrim emphasizes that there is much

productivity,” he notes. Standards initially are based

in its machinery and its processes which is unique

on equipment manufacturers’ recommendations.

to Anchor Hocking’s business. Hence, different

“However,” he adds, “OEMs don’t know exactly the

also is the company’s way of handling plant

intricacies of our product mix, so they’re adjusted

operation needs. For one thing, says Engrim, “We

over time, up or down, based on how the machine

have our own machine repair facility: Rebuild it

actually performs in our plant.”

‘new’ again and send it back on the floor for

won’t

set be

periodic meeting

our

National Spinning measures production quality

‘another five years’.” The company also maintains

both on-line and off-line—the former “to make sure

its own stock of replacement equipment for

nothing drifts outside the upper and lower limits set

ongoing servicing needs.

for specific quality parameters,” says Booterdaugh.

“We’re very elementary in what we do,” notes

Off-line checks, done selectively, ensure accuracy of

Engrim, “basically tracking hours of equipment

on-line reading and “are used sometimes to

operation, and that starts to tell us things when the

measure things that you can’t measure on-line.”

machinery starts to function incorrectly.” Apart

The extensive equipment monitoring system

from specialized glassmaking machines—some

also helps plant scheduling, besides always

turning out articles at the rate of eight pieces per

knowing specific machine maintenance periods in

minute, others at more than 100 pieces per minute,

advance to avert “disrupting product flow on

the plant depends upon large compressors in

customer orders,” Booterdaugh notes. “More on the

steady operation, despite many having in-service

productivity side, if a machine is running much

ages dating back to the 1930s and ’40s.

www.machinesitalia.org

OVERALL EQUIPMENT EFFECTIVENESS

Among the plant’s complement of highly

Manufacturers in this article sampling

specialized machines, Engrim cites four from Italian

certainly demonstrate the broad operational

manufacturers, “each a unique machine for unique

payoff of OEE’s key elements—even when they

purposes. It’s why we went to Italy to get them.”

didn’t recognize the name. Significantly, they are

The vendors are: Olivotto Industries S.p.A.

practicing one or more aspects of the equipment

(www.olivotto.it), a press and blow machine; Antas

effectiveness model and can cite resulting

S.p.A. (also www.olivotto.it), for glass presses and

productivity and quality benefits.

a fire polisher; Ocmi S.p.A. (www.ocmigroup.com)

The metals industry also needs tracking of

for a stem welding machine, and Tecno 5 S.r.l.

assorted

(www.tecno5.it), a decorating machine.

particular, yet varied approaches to productivity.

equipment’s

effectiveness

its

Union Electric Steel, of Carnegie, Pennsylvania,

“We’re a ‘24/7’ operation so, when you turn a machine on, it’s on for weeks, months at a time. Talk about ‘effectiveness’; it’s always on!”

uses a form of OEE to focus on producing individual types of products. “As a fully integrated forged roll steel manufacturer,” notes Dan Oberleitner, plant manager at the Carnegie facility, “we look for equipment—whether a lathe, grinder, milling machine, or a combination of operations—high in accuracy, speed and strength; something that gives you tight tolerances and overall durability, because we spend so much for equipment longevity.” The company uses a DNC (direct numerical control) program—“CNC, but from a host computer,” he explains—to “account for the most efficient way of machining a particular part.” It looks at the tooling itself, such as more advanced cutting inserts, the material make-up of the inserts, and the rigidity “and beefiness” of the holder. “We’re always looking at how we’re doing against historic times [of equipment performance], tracking how things are going out to the machine tool or things deteriorating,” Oberleitner says. This

These companies (like others following), in describing

variable,

homegrown

systems

approach to OEE principles, partly reflect the results

Above Antas fire polisher

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relates

also

the

company’s

preventive

maintenance program which includes yearly takedown of machines and tools.

of a broad manufacturer survey taken earlier this

Oberleitner comments that the in-house

year by The Manufacturer magazine. Only 25

program “may be crude, but it does the work.

percent of that survey’s respondents claimed to

Continual monitoring shows how our performance

fully understand the OEE methodology. And less

is—and, obviously, comparison with our pricing,

than half of those who claimed to be using it were

looking at hours and whether we hit our

able to quote any OEE figures from their operations.

expectation toward profit.”

Plus, looking ahead, it provides productivity

(www.bottero.com) and a grinder from Intermac

data for major machinery decisions, as in a current

(www.intermac.com), a division of the Biesse

project. Oberleitner says that Union is working on

Group (www.biessegroup.com).

design with Italy-based Innse Berardi S.p.A.

Buhler Quality Yarns Corp, with headquarters

(www.innse-berardi.com) for a multi-tasking

and its single plant in Jefferson, GA, sees

machine. “Because of limited floor space and trying

maintenance, quality and efficiency benefits from

to increase productivity, we’re getting one piece of

its equipment monitoring systems with a software

equipment to do two operations, turning and

program in Excel, but it’s primarily for equipment

milling.” These are sequenced, not simultaneous

maintenance,

steps, he points out. This project replaces purchase

manufacturing director.

according

Russell

Mims,

of a different maker’s milling-only machine. Among

“Just like anything, if you run it ‘7/24’ and don’t

other Italian equipment, Oberleitner cites a Tacchi

do things,” he says, “it’s not going to be very long

Giacomo & Figli S.p.A. (www.tacchiusa.com) lathe

before problems occur.” The system tracks

at Union’s Valparaiso, Indiana, plant.

primarily on an operating hours basis, guided by

“It’s always about productivity,” reasons Ray

OEMs’ maintenance recommendations. Buhler’s

DeLong, production manager at Atwood Mobile

principal Italian-source machine is a Marzoli S.p.A.

Products in Antwerp, Ohio. He was speaking about

roving frame for carding (pre-spinning).

collecting data “so we can know about individual

In a different manufacturing sector, furniture, a

shifts and overall plant performance, and

brief sampling brought little indication of OEE

efficiencies worked to improve productivity.”

activity—currently. Yet, companies are mindful of

Atwood is also a glassmaker, but of tempered

its benefits. One of those interviewed, Stanley

safety glass for the automotive industry (primarily

Furniture Co. of Stanleytown, Virginia, for example,

RVs, buses and mobile homes) and other markets.

doesn’t have “a formal program in quantitative

The single-plant company has 330 employees, with

analysis on equipment,” according to Eric Jones,

$50 million annual sales.

corporate industrial engineer. But the company

DeLong says that Atwood’s IT staff set up an internal system—called its “utilization chart”

seems definitely to be looking ahead even while current procedures are serving it well.

program—to measure machine uptime, productivity,

First, it is looking to upgrade its preventive

set-up times and number of setups. Operators

maintenance program in its four plants. It also

manually document their production numbers,

pursues a continuous improvement process, and in

including uptime, yield loss, and machine time.

the fall it is “embarking on looking at total lean

Individual shift superintendents then enter this data

manufacturing,” Jones notes. Stanley Furniture’s

into the program. Results are posted every two

present Italian equipment consists of programmable

weeks for employee reference.

CNC machines for boring and certain routing, from,

The system, about two years old, has brought some changes in procedures, strategies and overall operations, DeLong reports, “and we can somewhat better schedule products to the line.”

Biesse America (www.biesseusa.com), a subsidiary of Biesse Group. Whatever the sector and whatever terminology they use, companies are mindful of the benefits of

Atwood Mobile’s complement of Italian-

monitoring equipment effectiveness. Those who

source equipment includes a robotically loaded

use Italian machinery, of course, also know they

shape-cutting and grind line from Bottero S.p.A.

have a head start.

www.machinesitalia.org

MAINTENANCE

The ugly

duckling

Maintenance has been low on the agenda for a long time but successful companies make it a cornerstone of their improvement strategies, Ruari McCallion reports

1-888-ITALTRADE

ore than 35 years after formal techniques

repair isn’t going to be as effective as it should be

came to the US, maintenance still seems to

because they won’t know what went wrong. They

be the Cinderella function within manufacturing.

have to find out, get the appropriate part and

Tools like RCM (reliability-centred management);

expedite the repair. That’s costly, because there’s

FMECA (failure modes effects and criticalities

more downtime than need be.”

analysis) and TPM (total planned maintenance or

If you had an expensive automobile, a Ferrari

total productivity management) are no more than

(www.ferrari.com), Maserati (www.maserati.com),

sets of initials in many plants and factories.

Lamborghini (www.lamborghini.com), Alfa Romeo

Maintenance always seems to find itself on the

(www.alfaromeo.com) or the like, you would have

front line when there are going to be retrenchments

no doubt at all that maintenance is part of the

in the budget. But the fact is that a structured

package. You don’t run it until it breaks, because

maintenance plan, integrated into the overall

fixing it will be so expensive and time-consuming:

business strategy, is an essential element in

the very thought of running an expensive car into the

boosting output and profitability.

ground will bring tears to the eyes. But a lot of

The point is illustrated sharply in, of all

companies don’t carry the analogy over to their

things, a computer game: namely, Sim City.

workplace and still see maintenance as a cost, rather

Strangle the Police budget and the Chief will

than an investment, and allow capital equipment on

politely point out that crime is rising to

which the whole business depends to perform to

unacceptable levels. School heads complain but

something less than its optimum capacity. The

get on with stuffing more kids into the class. Pull

adoption of techniques like lean manufacturing

back on medical and health boss will state simply

actually makes companies even more vulnerable to

that ‘this city needs more hospitals’. Cut back on

machine breakdown, so there’s an incentive to do

the maintenance budget for roads and you’re on

something about it.

the downward spiral—and doesn’t the head of highways let you know about it. He interrupts meetings, shouting that it’s impossible for the city to survive. The pixellated roads crumble into rubble, buildings fall into disrepair and the citizens pick up and move somewhere else. It’s a lesson our kids seem to be learning but there’s still a way to go in industry. “A lot of companies have cut their maintenance

“It has a great effect when it’s first put in but it doesn’t advertise itself, so people forget. They get the idea that getting rid of regular maintenance could save $30,000 a month.”

budgets in half over the last 10 years. That means they can’t get preventive maintenance done—and that means their machines become unreliable,”

Lean manufacturing brings more machines

said Robert S. DiStefano, chairman of Management

together in series, with either automated transfer

Resources Group, Inc. “Ninety per cent of

or minimal movement between them. Each piece

maintenance work is identified within a couple of

on its own may be reasonably dependable but line

days of when it’s needed. The operator hears a

up, say, three together and the reliability of the

noise and reports it as a high priority. Maintenance

whole center plummets. Why? Simple arithmetic.

is expected to drop everything and attend to it. The

One machine may have 90 percent uptime but if

www.machinesitalia.org

MAINTENANCE

you have three, then the reliability becomes 90

top the level up; if it comes on again 50 miles later,

percent of 90 percent of 90 percent—and that is

it’s time to hand it over to the expert. Of course,

only 72 percent. That means you’re running the

everything has to be kept in proportion; a company

risk that the center will be off-line for more than

flooded with maintenance staff will never have

one day in five. That can be covered by having

anything break down, but nor will it make money if

stores loaded to the ceiling with spare parts, and

costs are out of control. Champion Industries

warehouses full of finished inventory, but that’s not

(www.championindustries.com), based in Winston

very efficient.

Salem, NC, endeavours to balance its production flow. Its machines could, in theory, punch out a

“The largest corporations are recognizing that maintenance is a front-line business issue. CEOs are going to shareholders and telling them that a preventive maintenance model is a different way of managing their assets.”

whole lot more material if they were run 24/7, but they’d do so only until they broke. “We have a preventive maintenance program and we’re also able to quickly repair things,” said Hank

Holt,

vice-president

Ali

S.p.A.

(www.aligroup.it), Champion’s holding company. “We have maintenance people on our staff and the reliability of our equipment is generally good.” That

reliability

has

come

from

studying

performance and planning accordingly. “In our “The largest corporations are recognizing that

dishwasher production plant, we have three

maintenance is a front-line business issue,”

machines that potentially cause problems; our

DiStefano said. “CEOs are going to shareholders

shearing machine, the punch press and the press

and telling them that a preventive maintenance

brake. We may have trouble with them one day a

model is a different way of managing their assets.”

year.” The company is set up so that breakdowns in

It doesn’t have to be expensive, nor a shot in the

those areas can be fixed quickly. It’s able to balance

dark. Preventive maintenance ideas and practice

the cost of maintenance with a realistic assessment

have been around for some time, and they’re

of the inventory cover necessary to see it through.

really part of the total drive to improved efficiency

“We have about two days’ supply of sheet metal

and competitiveness, whether you talk about lean,

hoods in store—and we can fix just about anything

six-sigma or anything else. The Japanese view is to

in two days.” The company’s Aladdin processing

maintain and improve the total reliability and

plant is a slightly different matter; it makes plastic

integrity of systems and equipment, through the

molded parts.

people that add value—the operators and maintainers.

The

Japanese

don’t

carry out very sophisticated machine efficiency

maintenance as a necessary evil. It’s front-line asset

measuring,” he said. The costs involved in

care, carried out by the operator. The auto analogy

breakdown aren’t limited to maintenance

carries over into the workplace: the operator—the

people’s wages.

driver—will monitor the oil and screenwash, but hands

1-888-ITALTRADE

“There, we have to be very precise, so we

regard

the

car

over

the

“The cost of being unable to produce is high

expert—the

and too many companies still don’t know the cost

mechanic—for maintenance and repair. If the oil

of downtime. It could be $1,000 an hour or, in the

light comes on while out on the road, the driver will

automotive industry, it could be $50,000 an

hour,”

maintenance

driver education and incentive programs. That’s

management company MCP. A client in Thailand

said

Peter

Gagg,

preventive maintenance in its purest form, but that

recently implemented a planned maintenance

approach isn’t always appreciated.

strategy. “The company’s turnover is $50 million

“The difficulty lies in getting companies to stick

and its maintenance costs amounted to $2 million

to the plan,” said Mark Dolphin, managing director

a year. By doing things differently, analyzing and

of Datastream, which provides asset management

planning maintenance, they could increase

software and systems. “It has a great effect when

output by 50 percent and reduce maintenance

it’s first put in but it doesn’t advertise itself, so

expenditure by 15 percent.”

people forget. They get the idea that getting rid of

The

expertise

maintenance

embedded

management

specialist

companies

regular maintenance could save $30,000 a month,

can

or whatever.” The immediate results of cutting

make them an attractive alternative to the in-

maintenance tend to be positive, as it takes two or

house solution. Having your own maintenance

more quarters for the effects to build up, which can

staff means that they’re always available;

undermine the whole corporate strategy.

“Companies like OM Carrelli Elevatori S.p.A. typically offer leasing packages that include maintenance and cost-effective support services. Over the life of a truck, the purchase price will be dwarfed by the running costs—not just fuel, but maintenance, servicing and that big bugbear, repairs.” the outsourced supplier, on the other hand, will

Maintenance tools, like TPM and lean, start from

have broad experience and be able to benchmark

different points but converge on the elimination of

performance against market leaders. One area

waste. Six-sigma focuses on quality. One of the eight

where outsourcing seems to make a lot of sense is

pillars of TPM is quality maintenance, which means

in the forklift fleet. Companies like OM Carrelli

that the organisation has to look at improving its

Elevatori S.p.A. (www.ompimespo.it), the Italian

equipment from the aspect of quality of product

operation of Linde AG, typically offer leasing

produced—which is, fundamentally, six-sigma. And

packages that include maintenance and cost-

at the core of lean is flexibility. You can’t be flexible,

effective support services. Over the life of a truck,

deliver just-in-time, or cut inventory with

the purchase price will be dwarfed by the running

confidence if your machines are down. To world-

costs—not just fuel, but maintenance, servicing and

class companies, maintenance is an investment as

that big bugbear, repairs. Specialist companies have

important

the resources to anticipate likely causes of accidents

management strategy. It’s the cornerstone of the

and treat them before they even arise, through

progression from fire-fighting to control.

effective

operations

and

www.machinesitalia.org

AGILE MANUFACTURING

Agility

inside

Lean manufacturing is almost a given these days. What really sets the best companies apart, says Dann Anthony Maurno, is agility—and Italian machinery makes all the difference

“

gile

operation to sell within the US, and to service US

European term,” explains Bill Bossard,

manufacturing

customers with the same onsite engineering and

VP Sales & Marketing for Salvagnini America

Above Agile manufacturers, such as Jobs S.p.A., offer not only machines that will reproduce a customer’s design, but also solutions for modeling and prototyping like Jobs’s machines above

1-888-ITALTRADE

service that European customers enjoy.

(www.salvagnini.com), “whereas Americans tend

All of those elements of agility have in common

to talk about lean manufacturing, but the two are

the ability to respond to demand. The term “agile”

different. Europeans have always emphasized

in US manufacturing is not new, but has always

design collaboration and working with customers

been a bit soft-edged, describing anything that

on design of final product, which better

involves quick turnaround or response. In the last

differentiates agile from lean.”

few years, organizations like APICS and industry

Salvagnini America is the US arm of one of Italy’s

analysts like AMR Research have brought that soft

largest manufacturers of machine tools and metal

edge into focus. They define the elements of agile

forming machinery, and is a perfect example of an

manufacturing as:

agile manufacturer. Salvagnini builds machining

•

positioning manufacturing as a service

equipment to order, collaborating closely with

•

improved integration between departments

customers for unique configurations; the company

•

employs highly specialized subcontractors and

faster process changes—for example, turning over a production line in under an hour

adapts quickly to changing market needs and

•

a highly skilled workforce

advances in technology (e.g., in robotics and

•

innovative alliances between manufacturers

automation). In addition, Salvagnini opened a US

and their suppliers and customers

If this sounds familiar, it is because “agile

That level of service is both the Italian way of

manufacturing” is what US manufacturers call

business, and the agile way, and one that American

“contract manufacturing”—the practice of machine

companies increasingly demand. As Michele

shops and small and medium enterprises. Now,

Cavaioni, Mandelli Sistemi’s Chief of US Operations

however, the tail has wagged the dog, and larger

observes, “Italian machinery makers like Mandelli

organizations are learning from their agile

have come to recognize that US companies have an

subcontractors. For example, US aerospace/defense

increasingly high expectation of services, which is

giant Boeing and construction/mining/turbine

why we opened a US office in 2003.”

manufacturer Caterpillar both embrace agile manufacturing.

Mandelli manufactures 4- and 5-axis controlled horizontal machining centers. Their in-country and

Both of these world class companies also use

on-demand service was key to winning the

Italian-made machinery in their assembly plants,

business of Messier Dowty in Ajax, ON. Messier

chosen for its agility. Italian machinery makers are,

Dowty uses two highly customized Mandelli

themselves, remarkable case studies of agile

Sistemi Storm 2 machining centers to produce

manufacturing, and worth studying for the lessons

landing gear.

they can teach.

Virtually every Italian manufacturer of renown

Agile manufacturers do more than simply

once specialized in a single product or industry,

produce to a design—they may offer design and

and diversified as opportunity arose. The Concetti

engineering services, prototypes, subcontracting,

Group’s weighing, bagging, closing and palletizing

and rapid turnaround as well. All of which is the

machinery for bulk product, for example, is a far

Italian way. Italy’s tooling machine manufacturers—

cry from the centrifugal pumps for farmland

companies such as Salvagnini, Mandelli Sistemi

irrigation on which Francesco Concetti founded

(www.mandelli.com), and Jobs S.p.A. (www.jobs.it)—

the company in 1936. Similarly, Cannon S.p.A.

all build custom configurations with design

(www.cannon.it) began 40 years ago as a

alternatives. “That,” says Salvagnini’s Bossard,

manufacturer of polyurethane foam machinery, but

“comes from years of designing and inventing

has since diversified into plastics, having patented

components that our customers have demanded.”

a gas-injection application used to make plastic

It’s the essence of agility.

parts for refrigerators. Responding to a particular

The Concetti Group (www.concettigroup.it),

US customer demand, Cannon developed an

for example, manufactures weighing, bagging,

innovative method to insulate pipes with

closing and palletizing machinery for bulk product

polyurethane

bagging systems, of virtually any product. Animal

customers to develop home-cooling systems to

feed and cement mix are, of course, very different

reduce temperatures without the use and expense

in weight and consistency, thus every Concetti

of air-conditioning.

foam,

allowing

Cannon’s

customer receives the services of basic and detailed

Finally, in 1981, Bike Machinery S.p.A.

engineering, on-site technical surveys, customized

(www.bikemachinery.it) was founded to improve

tests for specific products (e.g., best bag and pallet

and innovate the production of bicycle frames.

dimensions), mechanical resistance tests on full

Bike exports 90 percent of its product to more than

bags, design and estimates for customized

1000 customers in 60 countries, serving virtually

proposals, and assembly and pre-delivery testing.

every major bicycle manufacturer. Its innovations

www.machinesitalia.org

AGILE MANUFACTURING

in mechanics, pneumatics, electronics and

user-centric research in New York, Munich, Boston,

oleodynamics in producing extruded metal bicycle

and Milan to tap into drivers’ unmet needs. From

frames caught the attention of manufacturers in

dozens of hours of interviews, test footage and

other sectors. Bike seized the opportunity to

analysis, Design Continuum’s innovation has led to

diversify, by first collaborating with, then

improvements in BMW cars, including park

acquiring MAS S.r.l. (www.mas-srl.it) a company

distance control (PDC) using ultrasound to

specializing in manufacturing pipes in general.

measure how much room the car has when parking

Bike now offers hydraulic units, loading and

and pulling out, automatic illumination whenever

transfer machines, used in automotives, sporting

doors are unlocked via the remote control, and soft

goods and furniture, for example.

lighting techniques that cast indirect light where it’s desired and nowhere else. As every hour spent in breakdown and setup is a nonproductive hour, agile manufacturers turn production lines over in minutes, not hours. Italianmade machinery has high levels of automation and robotics. Italian machine makers have achieved their leanness and agility through technical advancement. As Marco Livelli, Managing Director of Jobs S.p.A. once observed of Italian manufacturing: “We must learn to consider evolution in technology as a daily and not an extraordinary event.” Livelli described this practice as “innovation technology,” and Jobs is an excellent example of that practice. Jobs produces highly automated 5-axis high speed machinery in the aerospace, automotive, general mechanical and energy sectors. In 1978 Jobs introduced the first manipulation robot with high load capacity. In 1994

Above Design Continuum’s prototyping processes (top) and the finished product for US Genomics (below)

1-888-ITALTRADE

Agile manufacturers seize the opportunity of a

it introduced a high-power milling centre with

strong demand, but use customer design as their

unparalleled systematic use of design technologies

guidelines.

Design

supported by the most modern CAD and Structural

Continuum (www.dcontinuum.it) is a good

Analysis software. Both technologies are at work

example of that agility. With offices in Milan, Italy;

producing the Airbus 380 and the Eurofighter

Massachusetts, USA; and Seoul, South Korea,

Typhoon aircraft.

Industrial

design

firm

Design Continuum has engineered such diverse

Italian manufacturers were the first in the

equipment and machinery as instruments for US

world to produce robotic glass blowing and

Genomics, paint mixing machinery for DesCPS

ceramic-making equipment, and three-dimensional

Color, and even elements of BMW automobiles for

weaving equipment for clothing. Automation is the

the consumer market.

reason style-maker Benetton can change over its

As CEO Gianfranco Zaccai describes, Design

production lines within hours.

Continuum was contracted by BMW to improve

Italian machine makers strive for a higher level of

the driving experience. Continuum conducted

automation, which they call “flexible automation.”

“Flexible automation sounds like a contradiction in

enterprises. This, too, is the Italian way of business,

terms,” said Salvagnini’s Bossard, “because the price

and a company might work closely with its nearest

of a highly automated process has always been that

competitor in creating a design for a third party.

you have to put limitations on those processes in order to automate them. Our challenge is to build both automated sheet metal systems, and keep them flexible enough to quickly change over, so they are not constricted by either the batch size or product line, nor are they material dependent.”

“We must learn to consider evolution in technology as a daily and not an extraordinary event.”

Automation in Italian machinery has been a huge advantage to US company American Trim, which provides product design, tooling and process

Mandelli, for example, is part of Gruppo

development, metal forming, metal finishing, and

Riello Sistemi (www.riellosistemi.it), along with

product/component assembly for the home

Riello Macchine and Burkhardt + Weber

appliance, transportation, building products, and

Fertigungssysteme GmbH. Riello Macchine

consumer products industries. It distinguishes itself

specializes in design and production of rotary

in rapid prototype tooling, which reduces typical

transfer machines, flexible production cells

prototype lead times by 75 percent and is

(Vertiflex) and a revolutionary 4-spindle horizontal

significantly less expensive than producing hard

machining center (MC2). Burkhardt + Weber

tools. Before installing Italian-made transfer

manufactures high accuracy machining centers,

equipment from APT, and polishing equipment

production cells, special machines and transfer

from Pulimetal (www.pulimetal.it) American Trim

lines specifically designed for small or large

needed half a day to turn over its prototype line, in

volume accuracy components. Yes, there is

changing dies, configurations and material

crossover in function, but the three companies

handling parameters. Now it produces several

share technology and market presence, enabling

prototypes a day, moving rapidly between, for

Gruppo to create best-possible solutions.

example, an automotive part to an appliance part within minutes.

American Salvagnini’s CEO Bill Bossard believes that the US is learning agile manufacturing very

A final benefit of automation is in quality

quickly, behaving more like its European cousins. “I

control. As Design Continuum’s Gianfranco Zaccai

don’t believe that manufacturing differs a great deal

observed: “Something I discovered in the gold-

anymore between the continents. Both economies

smithing centers of India, in talking to their

are obviously very in-tuned to quick response, and

producers, is that they can’t compete with Italian

are very quality oriented. So where else can we

jewelry makers. Italian labor rates are higher than

compete? In agility—the ability to respond to quick

in India, but Italy has automated the process such

demand and unique situations on a daily basis.

that the waste of gold is practically zero, versus 14

That’s

percent in India. Italian companies have made the

manufacturers strive to do.”

most of automation, be it in jewelry or engines.” Agile

manufacturers

might

really

what

Salvagnini

and

Italian

With the strength of American business

highly

practices, plus the awesome output and turnover

specialized, so they rely on one another in

of Italian machinery, US companies can achieve

elaborate networks of small and medium

true agility.

www.machinesitalia.org

PACKAGING

Trade bodies send

students packing F

Student winners visit selected Italian packaging machinery manufacturers’ offices and facilities

or the past four years, the Italian Trade

academic courses, allowing selected students

Commission (ITC) (www.italtrade.com/usa),

accreditation for their work.

in partnership with UCIMA (the Italian Association

For judging, each university program director/

of Automatic Packing and Packaging Machinery

co-coordinator selects one student paper for

Manufacturers) (www.ucima.it), and in cooperation

submission to the IoPP for final selection. The IoPP

with leading locally-based professional packaging

panel of judges, chosen in accordance with

associations, has provided North American

guidelines established by the ITC and UCIMA, are

packaging students with the opportunity to

tasked with choosing eight papers that best

experience face-to-face Italy’s new packaging

exemplify the criteria established by these two

technologies and marketing strategies.

organizations. The authors of the eight award-

Announced in 2001 at PACK EXPO Las Vegas,

winning papers receive a complimentary trip to

and held every year since, the Italian Packaging

Italy, hosted by ITC and UCIMA and chaperoned by

Technology Awards (IPTA) program asks students

three predetermined faculty professors.

from 15 premier North American packaging

participation offers the academics a noteworthy

universities to write technical papers on packaging.

opportunity to enhance their programs by sharing

The goal of the program is to strengthen the

the experiences gathered abroad upon their return

awareness of Italian technology and innovation

to the classroom.

within various packaging research and education programs of these schools. For more information about the IPTA paper writing competition deadline contact Jim Peters, IoPP’s director of education, at 630/696-4011, or by e-mail at jpeters@iopp.org.

1-888-ITALTRADE

The trip, held in June for two weeks, includes visits to selected Italian packaging machinery

The competition is open to students in junior-,

manufacturers’ offices and facilities, orientation at

senior- or graduate-level packaging related degree

ITC’s offices in Rome and/or at UCIMA’s offices in

programs. In addition to the 15 universities

Milan, and other related activities. The trip

currently involved in the program, other schools

provides valuable benefits and experiences to the

may be included as selected by agreement between

chosen students, while giving the participating

ITC, UCIMA and the Institute of Packaging

Italian packaging machinery manufacturers a

Professionals (IoPP) (www.iopp.org).

unique opportunity to showcase their packaging

To determine a student’s eligibility to submit a paper to the program, each university’s respective

To receive information about the latest packaging machinery and technologies from Italy, phone 1-888-ITALTRADE or log on to www.machinesitalia.org

Faculty

technology in action to these future decisionmakers and end-users.

faculty looks at criteria such as grade point average,

Upon their return, students and professors are

transcripts and co-op program activities. The

asked to submit a summary of the program and

program requires that students who are selected to

how it impacted their packaging education.

submit papers write on topics relating either to

The 2006 edition of the IPTA program was

technical innovation in packaging machinery or

launched at PACK EXPO Las Vegas in September

innovation in packaging materials. Faculties may

and the eight winning papers will be officially

decide to integrate this contest into current

announced on March 15, 2006.

Sponsoring

innovation

Machines Italia takes “Turning innovation into productivity” on the road in 2005 with sponsorship of two major North American events

f you make the purchasing decisions for your

At our booths in the Westin Copley Place

company, you have an enormous responsibility.

(Boston) and Navy Pier (Chicago), Machines Italia

You must know the ins and outs of production in a

representatives will help you find the right partners

way no-one else does—finding machines and

and manufacturers who can administer to your

systems solutions that are functional, reliable and

most challenging and specific production needs.

durable, with readily available service and spare parts. You decide whether the return on investment can ultimately be realized. In short, much of your company’s success depends on your purchasing choices. Italian machinery can make your decision easier. That’s why this year Machines Italia is proud to be one of the corporate sponsors of two major manufacturing industry events: the Association for

Manufacturing

Excellence’s

Annual

You will obtain information on the world’s most

Conference being held in Boston, Massachusetts

highly

from October 31st to November 4th, 2005 and

manufacturers who always turn innovation into

the World High Performance Forum taking place

productivity either by re-tooling existing concepts or

in Chicago on November 15th & 16th, 2005.

by creating entirely new systems not yet imagined.

skilled

engineers,

designers

and

Both share the common goal of striving to

While the conference and forum will address a

improve global competitiveness within the

variety of issues affecting global enterprise excellence

manufacturing industry, presenting technological

and corporate leadership, Machines Italia will

advances, workshops and education on best

provide visitors with case histories, industry white

practices. In keeping with this aim, Machines Italia

papers and current information on what Italian

will present the latest information on its partner

machinery manufacturers are doing here in North

associations and companies at these events.

America to keep local manufacturers productive.

For more information on the AME Annual Conference and the World High Performance Forum, please visit their respective websites: http://ame.org/Events/2005/Boston and http://www.hsm-us.com/whpf.

www.machinesitalia.org

MACHINES ITALIA TRADE SHOWS

Italian exhibitions

listed by date

Trade Show

Title

Sector

Machines Italia Partner Association

Show Location

Show Dates

MARMOMACC

International Exhibition of Marble Stone and Technology

Marble

ASSOMARMO MACCHINE

Verona, Italy

Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 2005

BIMEC

Biennial Exhibition for Mechanics and Automation

Machine Tools

UCIMU

Milan, Italy

Oct. 5-8, 2005

VITRUM 2005

Specialized International Exhibition for flat, bent and hollow glass manufacturing machinery, equipment and plants, glass manufactured and processed, glass products for industry

Glass

GIMAV

Milan, Italy

Oct. 5-8, 2005

CIBUS TEC

Food Processing & Packaging Technology Exhibition

Food Technology

Not in Attendance

Parma, Italy

Oct. 18-22, 2005

TANNING-TECH 2005

International Exhibition of Machines and Technologies for the Tanning Industry

Leather

ASSOMAC

Bologna, Italy

Oct. 25-28, 2005

EIMA & EIMA Garden 2005

International Agriculture and Gardening Machinery Manufacturers Exhibition

Agriculture

UNACOMA

Bologna, Italy

Nov. 12-16, 2005

IKME 2005

International Exhibition of Finishing and Knitting Machinery

Textiles

ACIMIT

Milan, Italy

Nov. 18-22, 2005

Ipack-Ima 2006

International Exhibition for Packing, Packaging, Material Handling and Food Processing Machinery

Packaging/ Food Technology

UCIMA-ANIMA (ASSOFOODTEC)

Milan, Italy

Feb. 14-18, 2006

PLAST 2006

International Exhibition for Plastics and Rubber Industries

Plastics & Rubber

ASSOCOMAPLAST

Milan, Italy

Feb. 14-18, 2006

BI-MU MEDITERRANEA

Machine Tools, Robots, Automation

Machine Tools

UCIMU

Bari, Italy

Feb. 23-26, 2006

SIMAC 2006

International Exhibition of Machines and Technologies for Footwear and Leathergoods Industries

Leather

ASSOMAC

Bologna, Italy

Apr. 19-22, 2006

GRAFITALIA & Exhibition of Machinery and Materials for the Graphic Arts, Publishing, CONVERFLEX 2006 Paper Converting, Package Printing and Communication Industries

Graphic

ACIMGA

Milan, Italy

May 9-13, 2006

LAMIERA 2006

Exhibition of the Metalforming Process Machinery Manufacturing

Machine Tools

UCIMU

Bologna, Italy

May 10-13, 2006

Eurocarne

International Exhibition of Meat and Meat Processing Industries

Food Technology - Meat

ANIMA (ASSOFOODTEC)

Verona, Italy

May 11-14, 2006

XYLEXPO 2006

Biennial World Exhibition for Woodworking Technology

Woodworking

ACIMALL

Milan, Italy

May 16-20, 2006

FOUNDEQ EUROPE

Exhibition of Equipment and Products for the Foundry of Ferrous and Non Ferrous Metals

Foundry

AMAFOND

Montichiari (BR), Italy

May 17-20, 2006

CARRARA MARMOTEC

International Fair for Marble, Machinery and Services

Marble

ASSOMARMOMACCHINE

Carrara, Italy

May 31-Jun. 3, 2006

TECNARGILLA 2006

International Exhibition of Technology and Supplies for the Ceramic and Brick Industries

Ceramic Technology

ACIMAC

Rimini, Italy

Sept. 28-Oct. 2, 2006

BI-MU

Machine Tools, Robots, Automation

Machine Tools

UCIMU

Milan, Italy

Oct. 5-10, 2006

SFORTEC

Technical Subcontracting Exhibition

Machine Tools

UCIMU

Milan, Italy

Oct. 5-10, 2006

SIAB

International Bakery and Pastry Exhibition

Food Technology - Baking

ANIMA (ASSOFOODTEC)

Verona, Italy

May 5-9, 2007

Pharmintech 2007

The Innovations Exhibition for the Pharmaceutical Industry

Packaging/ Pharmaceuticals

UCIMA

Bologna, Italy

June 13-15, 2007

1-888-ITALTRADE

Website

Organizer

Address

Zip Code

City

Telephone

Fax

www.marmomacc.com/ home_en.asp

VERONAFIERE

Viale Del Lavoro, 8

37135

Verona

011 39 045 8298111

011 39 045 8298288

info@veronafiere.it

www.bi-mec.it

CEU-CENTRO ESPOSIZIONI UCIMU S.P.A.

Viale Fulvio Testi, 128

20092

Cinisello Balsamo (MI)

011 39 02 26255234

011 39 02 26255897

bimec.vista@ucimu.it

www.vitrum-milano.it

VITRUM

Via Petitti, 16

20149

Milano

011 39 02 33006099

011 39 02 33005630

vitrum@vitrum-milano.it

www.fiereparma.it/ cibustec/emain.htm

Fiere di Parma S.p.A.

Via Rizzi, 67/a

43031

Baganzola (PR)

011 39 0521 9961

011 39 0521 996235

tecno@fiereparma.it

www.tanning-tech.it/

Assomac Servizi S.r.l.

Via Matteotti, 4/A P.O.Box 113

27029

Vigevano (PV)

011 39 0381 78883

011 39 0381 88602

exhibition@assomac.it

www.eima.it

UNACOMA Service S.r.l.

Via L. Spallanzani, 22A

00161

Roma

011 39 06 442981

011 39 06 4402722

eima@unacoma.it

www.ikme.mi.it

Fiera Milano International S.p.A.

Via Varesina, 76

20156

Milano

011 39 02 485501

011 39 02 48550420

segreteria.ikme@fmi.it

www.ipack-ima.com

Ipack-Ima S.p.A.

Corso Sempione, 4

20154

Milano

011 39 02 3191091

011 39 02 33619826

ipackima@ipackima.it

www.plast06.org

Promaplast S.r.l.

Centro Direzionale Milanofiori, Palazzo F/3

20090

Assago (MI)

011 39 02 82283756

011 39 02 57512490

info@plast06.org

www.bimu-mediterranea.it

CEU-CENTRO ESPOSIZIONI UCIMU S.P.A.

Viale Fulvio Testi, 128

20092

Cinisello Balsamo (MI)

011 39 02 26255229

011 39 02 26255896

bimumed.vista@ucimu.it

www.simac-fair.it

Assomac Servizi S.r.l.

Via Matteotti, 4/A P.O.Box 113

27029

Vigevano (PV)

011 39 0381 78883

011 39 0381 88602

exhibition@assomac.it

www.grafitalia.biz www.converflex.biz

CENTREXPO S.p.A.

Centro Mostre Specializzate, Corso Sempione, 4

20154

Milano

011 39 02 3191091

011 39 02 341677

centrexpo@centrexpo.it

www.lamiera.net

CEU-CENTRO ESPOSIZIONI UCIMU S.P.A.

Viale Fulvio Testi, 128

20092

Cinisello Balsamo (MI)

011 39 02 26255230

011 39 02 26255894

lamiera.vista@ucimu.it

www.eurocarne.it

Ipack-Ima S.p.A.

Corso Sempione, 4

20154

Milano

011 39 02 3191091

011 39 02 33619826

ipackima@ipackima.it

www.xylexpo.com/eng/

ACIMALL Exhibitions Office

Centro Direzionale Milanofiori, 1a Strada, Palazzo F3

20090

Assago (MI)

011 39 02 89210200

011 39 02 8259009

info@xylexpo.com

www.foundeq.com

Edimet S.p.A.

Via Corf첫, 102

25124

Brescia

011 39 030 2421043

011 39 030 221168

info@edimet.com

www.carraramarmotec.com

Internazionale Marmi e Macchine Carrara S.p.A.

V.le G. Galilei, 133

54036

Marina di Carrara (MS)

011 39 05 85 787963

011 39 05 85 787602

info@ carraramarmotec.com

www.tecnargilla.it

RiminiFiera S.p.A.

Via Emilia, 155

47900

Rimini

011 39 05 41 744111

011 39 05 41 744243

segreteria@tecnargilla.it

www.bimu-sfortec.it

CEU-CENTRO ESPOSIZIONI UCIMU S.P.A.

Viale Fulvio Testi, 128

20092

Cinisello Balsamo (MI)

011 39 02 26255233

011 39 02 26255897

bimu.vista@ucimu.it

www.bimu-sfortec.it

CEU-CENTRO ESPOSIZIONI UCIMU S.P.A.

Viale Fulvio Testi, 128

20092

Cinisello Balsamo (MI)

011 39 02 26255229

011 39 02 26255896

sfortec.vista@ucimu.it

www.veronafiere.it

VERONAFIERE

Viale Del Lavoro, 8

37135

Verona

011 39 045 8298111

011 39 045 8298288

info@veronafiere.it

www.pharmintech.it/en/ default.htm

Ipack-Ima S.p.A.

Corso Sempione, 4

20154

Milano

011 39 02 3191091

011 39 02 33619826

ipackima@ipackima.it

www.machinesitalia.org

ITALIAN MACHINERY

Innovation at work

in global

AGRICULTURE/FARM MACHINERY UNACOMA represents Italian manufacturers of tractors, agricultural machinery and gardening machinery. These Italian manufacturers produce everything from power mowers for the homeowner to tractors and harvesters used by the world’s leading agribusiness enterprises. UNACOMA members account for 90% of Italian farm machinery production. Italian farm equipment manufacturers rank first in the world in terms of the range of machines produced. www.unacoma.com

CERAMICS Italian manufacturers of machinery and equipment for ceramics have earned a world-class reputation for providing solutions that meet a vast range of customer needs—from traditional ceramics to the latest design trends. Customers around the globe choose machinery produced by members of ACIMAC, the Association of Italian Manufacturers of Machinery and Equipment for the Ceramic Industry, because it is easy to program and simple to maintain; this machinery is also known for its ability to increase productivity and for its design flexibility. www.acimac.it

EARTHMOVING MACHINERY COMAMOTER is the group of UNACOMA representing the Italian manufacturers of earthmoving machinery, attachments and components. COMAMOTER has approximately 40 members (manufacturing over 80% of the total output) who build high quality, reliable, heavy, medium and light equipment for worldwide use, valued at over three billion dollars a year. Italy exports more than $1 billion of earthmoving machinery, equipment and parts annually to more than 140 countries worldwide. www.comamoter.com

FOOD TECHNOLOGY ASSOFOODTEC (Incorporating UCMA)—the Italian Association of Machinery and Plant Manufacturers for Food Production, Processing and Preservation—has leveraged the Italian spirit of innovation into a global leadership position. ASSOFOODTEC operates within the Federation of Italian Mechanical and Engineering Associations (ANIMA), and its members turn out machines for global exports that are well known for technological superiority, durability and ingenuity. www.assofoodtec.it

FOOTWEAR, LEATHERGOODS AND TANNING ASSOMAC is the association of Italian manufacturers of footwear, leathergoods and tanning machinery— representing 190 Italian companies. Member manufacturers are world leaders in this sector, supplying over 50% of the world’s demand for footwear and leathergoods machines and over 80% of the demand for tanning machines. In 2002, 125 countries acquired Italian technology from this sector—representing 60% of Italy’s production volume of exported machines, with a value equal to $610 million USD. www.assomac.it

FOUNDRY AND METALLURGICAL MACHINERY AMAFOND is the Italian association of companies producing machinery, plants, furnaces and products for the foundry industry. Its 80 member companies provide machinery used in the manufacturing of everything from automobile engines and components to domestic appliances. AMAFOND credits the “Italian approach” to business—characterized by extra customer care and stronger personal relationships—as one of the reasons its member companies attract worldwide customers. www.amafond.com

GLASS As an evolution of the Italian glass-making tradition, GIMAV—the Italian Association of Glass-Processing Machinery and Accessory Suppliers—represents Italian excellence in glass-making machinery today. This industry sector has expanded internationally by employing innovative technology that meets today’s marketplace needs. GIMAV’s 72 member companies are known for customizing machines to meet exacting end-user specifications— from high-rise building construction to fine arts applications. www.gimav.it

1-888-ITALTRADE

markets MARBLE AND STONE Three hundred and seventeen companies form the foundation of Associazione Italiana MARMOMACCHINE, the association representing the Italian marble and stone machinery industries. These companies supply the advanced technology that makes Italy a global leader in the stone and manufactured stone industries. Italian machinery is engineered to be versatile and provide customers with unique solutions to process marble and stone at competitive prices. www.assomarmomacchine.com

METALWORKING UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE is the Italian Machine Tools, Robots and Automation Manufacturers’ Association. These 208 companies create machinery and components for industries from aerospace and automotive to appliances. Italian machine tool manufacturing firms are smaller than their international competitors. As a result, their flexibility and ability to respond quickly is unmatched by manufacturers from other countries. Leading global companies choose Italian machine tool machinery. www.ucimu.it

PACKAGING UCIMA groups the Italian Manufacturers of Automatic Packing and Packaging Machinery. Its members represent 65% of the total Italian production and, on average, 85% of Italian exports. One packaging machine out of every four in the world bears the wording “Made in Italy.” And the USA is the industry’s main outlet market of the sector. The worldwide success of the Italian packing and packaging industry is firmly rooted in a consolidated technological tradition and in the ability to find customized packaging solutions. www.ucima.it

PLASTICS AND RUBBER The companies of ASSOCOMAPLAST, the Italian Plastics and Rubber Processing Machinery and Molds Manufacturers’ Association, are globally renowned for their “turnkey solutions”—addressing customer needs through sophisticated machines and engineering. As a result, the Italian plastics and rubber processing machinery industry has seen steady growth since its inception in 1960. Italian machines are highly prized by the world’s most industrialized and economically advanced countries. www.assocomaplast.org

PRINTING, GRAPHIC AND CONVERTING ACIMGA represents the Italian manufacturers of machinery for the graphic, converting and paper industry. Members of this association are world leaders in making machinery for rotogravure and flexographic printing, paper and cardboard processing, and converting. Most of what is produced is absorbed by the packaging market with 60% of the industry’s turnover, followed by the graphic sector with 35%, then niche applications with around 5%. www.acimga.it

TEXTILE MACHINERY ACIMIT is the Italian association representing 200 members who create textile machinery used throughout the world. Each member takes pride in helping their manufacturing customers spin “cloth into gold.” Italian textile machinery manufacturers meet the full spectrum of industry needs (spinning, weaving, knitting, finishing and laundry machines), and leading American clothing manufacturers rely on the quality of Italian high-tech machinery. www.acimit.it

WOOD In every segment of woodworking, from sawmills to the industrial processing of solid wood and panel to finishing, the Italian industry is present with technological solutions capable of responding effectively to a multitude of user requirements. ACIMALL, the Italian Woodworking Machinery and Tools Manufacturers’ Association, with over 210 of the most qualified companies in their field, represents 90% of the whole industry, both in terms of employees and in turnover. www.acimall.com