OPENING LETTER
With you today
and tomorrow Italian machinery manufacturers draw on innovation to serve customers
A
s the new trade commissioner of the
The cover story on page 14 looks at
Italian Trade Commission’s Chicago
Italian contributions to the growing field of
Office, I would like to personally welcome
nanotechnology, which soon will touch every
you to this edition of Machines Italia.
aspect of manufacturing—from materials to
Our Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles
Dr. Pasquale Bova,
Trade Commissioner
Italian Trade Commission
offices are principally responsible for the
Groups such as Veneto Nanotech are
machinery and technology sectors covered
ensuring that this field continues to thrive in Italy
in this edition. Machines Italia provides you
and benefit customers of Italian companies.
with a compilation of news, features and
And as you enjoy your next glass of
directories that easily serve as your guide to
wine, improve your home with beautiful
some of the highest quality machinery in the
glass, marble or ceramics, or get on a flight,
world produced in the following 14 important
remember that many of the products you are
sectors: agriculture/farm machinery; ceramics;
using were made by Italian machinery (see
earthmoving machinery; food technology;
page 20). Italians have been manufacturing
footwear, leathergoods and tanning; foundry
partners in the creation of some of the best-
and metallurgical machinery; glass; marble
known brands in the United States.
Address: 401 N. Michigan Avenue Suite 3030 Chicago, Illinois 60611-4257
and
Toll-Free: 1-888-ITALTRADE / 482-5872 (U.S. and Canadian Callers)
editor-in-chief of IndustryWeek and an
stone;
metalworking;
packaging;
Finally, Italian companies not only focus
plastics and rubber; printing, graphic and
on building for the future but also on serving
converting; textile machinery; and wood.
their clients with efficiency achieved
On page 8, Patricia Panchak, former
through lean manufacturing efforts. Learn more on page 24.
expert on global manufacturing, makes the
So as you are inspired in taking this
case for looking overseas not just for cheap
virtual tour of Italian innovation from
Telephone: (312) 670-4360 (outside the U.S. and Canada)
labor, but for forward-thinking industries
yesterday to today, feel free to contact us.
such as those chronicled here.
We look forward to helping you turn our
Fax: (312) 264-6209
machinery
E-Mail: info@italtradeusa.com Web Site: www.machinesitalia.org
On page 10, find out how Italian manufacturers
such
1-888-ITALTRADE
innovation into your productivity.
as
For as we head into the future,
Centauro are keeping their fingers on the
remember and draw upon our rich history
pulse of the U.S. market and responding
together. Italian innovation will take you
with new designs and better service. Also, to
there again!
better serve U.S. customers, a group of Italian machinery manufacturers have formed
Sincerely,
I-TECH, a collective corporation based in
Dr. Pasquale Bova
Milan, Italy, and Pompton Plains, N.J.
2
energy to even how machinery operates.
Trade Commissioner—Chicago
Table of
contents 4
Machines Italia News Newsbriefs from a selection of our 10,000 partner companies
4
The Global Manufacturing Technology Marketplace
8
Take advantage of Italy’s forward-thinking industries, says Patricia Panchak
10
Partnering for Success Italian machinery makers use novel approaches to keep their fingers on the pulse of U.S. industry
8
14
Pioneers from Pottery to Polymers Italians continue to be leaders in the new frontier of nanotechnology
20
Welcome Home Many of the products Americans know and love are made with Italian machinery
10
Italian Companies Embracing Lean Makeovers
24
The lean initiatives Italian manufacturers adopt benefit their customers
26
Awards Programs Highlight Italian Industry Students are granted trips to machine tool and packaging technology manufacturers
14
27
Italian Innovation in the Spotlight Machines Italia takes “Turning innovation into productivity” on the road in 2006 with featured participation at two major North American events
28
Trade Shows in Italy
20
Upcoming exhibitions in Italy sponsored by our partner associations
30
Innovation at Work in Global Markets A brief look at Machines Italia’s 14 partner associations and industries
24
www.machinesitalia.org
3
M
ACHINES
IT ALIA N E W S
Machines Italia
news
News Briefs Gruppo Riello Sistemi expands to better serve North America Gruppo Riello Sistemi started 2006 with a new beachhead in North America. The manufacturer of horizontal machining centers and specialapplication machinery acquired Tri-Way Manufacturing Technologies Corp. of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Verona-based Gruppo Riello Sistemi said the acquisition means the company can fully serve North American clients and is part of a larger global expansion plan that was started in 1992. North America currently accounts for 10% of the company’s sales. Tri-Way had a long history of serving the auto industry out of Windsor, which is across the river from Detroit. For more information, visit www.riellosistemi.it.
Italian tool, robot, automation machinery sales boom overseas At his group’s annual meeting this year, Alberto
France (+16%), United States (+6.6%) and
Tacchella, president of the association UCIMU-
China (+8.5%). Among emerging countries, the
SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, reported that production
highest increases in the sales of Italian
of the Italian machine tool, robot and automation
production systems were recorded in Turkey
manufacturing industry registered a 4.3% growth
(+75%), Mexico (+83.8%), Poland (+20.1%),
versus 2004, reaching 4,309 million euros (US$5.5
Brazil (+43.2%), India (+166.3%) and South
billion).
Korea (+209.2%).
An excellent performance was recorded by
According to the forecasts, in 2006, the
exports, which increased 14% to 2,368 million
production of the sector should continue its positive
euros (US$3 billion). The export-production ratio
trend, rising to 4,520 million euros (US$5.7 billion),
increased from 50.3% in 2004 to 55%.
+4.9% compared with 2005; once again fueled by
The leading foreign markets were Germany
the positive trend of exports, expected to increase
(11.6% of the total), France (9%), United States
by 8.3%, which should amount to 2,565 million
(8.4%), Spain (8%) and China (7.9%). In each
euros (US$3.2 billion).
sector, the increase included Germany (+5.3%),
For more information, visit www.ucimu.it.
Uhdenora S.p.A. advances industrial fuel cells Uhdenora S.p.A., a joint venture of Gruppo De Nora of Italy and UHDE of Germany, helped design the first installation of fuel cell technology at a chlorate plant. The success was announced in July. The installation took place at Caffora S.r.l.’s plant in Brescia, Italy. Caffora is an Italian chemical company belonging to the Snia Group. Also involved was Nuvera Fuel Cells, a company with a presence in both Italy and the United States. The goal of the installation was to use excess hydrogen, which is produced as a by-product of the chlorate manufacturing process. The fuel cell system runs solely on the vented hydrogen and has a net power of 120 kilowatts. It runs 24 hours a day and was installed without stopping the chlorate manufacturing process. “This first installation is proving the industrial validity of the fuel cell technology as a key component for the design of eco-friendly power production systems designed to be installed on new and existing electrochemical plants,” said Adrian Schervan, managing director of Uhdenora. For more information, visit www.uhdenora.com, www.cafforachem.com, www.snia.it, and www.nuvera.com.
4
1-888-ITALTRADE
FAE USA relocates to Hall County, Georgia
“This
company’s
expansion
is
another
expression of the globalization happening in our economy and community,” said Tim Evans, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Economic Development. “FAE Group is a great company bringing a proven product, technology and professional management to a growing customer base in the United States. The growth potential for FAE is exciting, and we are grateful they have selected our community for the head, hands and feet of their U.S. business.” For more information, visit FAE USA’s Web site
Groundbreaking ceremony takes place for the new U.S. headquarters of FAE USA.
at www.faeusa.com or the Greater Hall Chamber
FAE USA started construction in July
support we have received from the
on its new U.S.-based headquarters
business community, City of Oakwood,
in Hall County, Ga. FAE USA is a
Hall County, Pattillo Construction and
subsidiary of FAE Group, which in
the
turn is owned by FAE Group S.p.A.
Commerce has made us feel welcome
of Fondo, Italy. FAE USA provides all
and pleased to join a great community
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A.
domestic sales and product support
of existing businesses.”
(Coca-Cola HBC, CCHBC), in July, completed its
Greater
Hall
Chamber
of
of Commerce at www.greaterhallchamber.com.
Coca-Cola adds Italian bottled water to line-up
for FAE products in the United States.
Carera made the comments
joint acquisition, with The Coca-Cola Company, of
FAE Group is globally recognized in
through the Greater Hall Chamber of
100% of the Traficante Group, a producer of
the design and manufacturing of
Commerce when the groundbreaking
mineral water in Italy.
leading-edge vegetation control, rock
was celebrated.
Traficante has two production facilities in the
stabilization
FAE USA is relocating from
Basilicata Region of Southern Italy, as well as two
attachments, with sales and business
Grayson, Ga., moving its headquarters,
national mineral water brands, “Lilia” and “Lilia
units operating in more than 35
production and distribution operations
Kiss” (still and sparkling, respectively) and five
countries. FAE USA specializes in
to Hall County. The construction of a
brands distributed regionally. The sale was for 35
advanced shredding technologies.
35,000 sq.-ft. building for FAE USA is
million euros ($US44 million).
crushing
and
soil
Giorgio Carera, CEO of FAE USA,
on a 7.8-acre site in Oakwood South
Coca-Cola HBC is one of the world’s largest
Inc., stated, “We are excited about our
Industrial Park, according to the
bottlers of products of The Coca-Cola Company
new U.S. headquarters in Hall County,
Chamber. FAE USA is investing more
and has operations in 28 countries serving a
Ga. We will be able to better serve our
than US$3 million in the relocation
population of 540 million people.
customers throughout the United
and will hire four new employees to
For more information, visit
States from this new location. The
assist with business growth.
www.coca-colahbc.com.
www.machinesitalia.org
5
M
ACHINES
IT ALIA N E W S
News Briefs Textile association aids college students The Association of Italian Textile Machine Manufacturers (ACIMIT) is changing the way it awards educational grants to college students. In 2006, ACIMIT Foundation awarded grants worth 800 euros (US$1,000) each to 16 students from Italian colleges of textile technology. The grants are given for research into issues of relevance to the textile machinery industry. In 2007, the ACIMIT Foundation will stop giving cash grants and will instead award a three-day trip to Munich, in conjunction with the ITMA 2007 trade show. According to the foundation, this “will allow the awarded students to get in touch with the technological ‘top’ of the Italian and worldwide textile machinery industry directly.” For more information, visit the ACIMIT Web site at www.acimit.it.
Vespa/Piaggio dealership reopens in New Orleans
Employees at work at Piaggio’s Pontedera, Italy, factory Vespa, the Italian-made two-wheel scooter that is
World War I brought a new diversification that
gaining widespread popularity in the United States,
was to distinguish Piaggio activities for many
has found a new home in New Orleans, America’s
decades. The company started producing airplanes
most European-style city.
and seaplanes. At the same time, new plants were
Four-year-old Vespa New Orleans was forced to
springing up. In 1917, Piaggio bought a new plant
close in 2005 because of damage to the city from
in Pisa, and four years later, it took over a small
Hurricane Katrina and subsequent flooding. But in
plant in Pontedera, which first became the center
July, the company reopened in the city’s
of aeronautical production (propellers, engines
Warehouse District. It is one of North America’s
and complete aircraft, including the state-of-the-art
largest Vespa/Piaggio dealerships.
Piaggio P108 in passenger and bomber versions).
Piaggio manufactures Vespa scooters in Italy. Piaggio is a manufacturer in the Italian
1-888-ITALTRADE
Italy’s top aircraft manufacturers.
transportation sector known for innovation. Its
Having returned to the United States in 2000
scooters have become increasingly popular in the
after exiting the market in 1985 because of new
United States as a cheaper, more agile and less
emissions legislation that targeted two-stroke
environmentally damaging alternative to cars.
engines, the Vespa was an immediate success all
Founded in Genoa in 1884 by 20-year-old
over again. Piaggio U.S.A. has achieved a market
Rinaldo Piaggio, Piaggio initially undertook luxury
share of 18% of the growing scooter sector in terms
ship fitting before going on to produce rail
of sales over the last five years.
carriages, goods vans, luxury coaches and engines,
For more information, visit
trams and special truck bodies.
6
Before and during World War II, Piaggio was one of
www.vespaneworleans.com/site.php.
2006 is a year of celebration at Bonfiglioli Bonfiglioli of Bologna, Italy, had much to celebrate in 2006. The
2,000 people in 14 countries with revenues of US$500 million in
maker of many types of industrial machinery products, including
2005, broke ground on a new headquarters, to be completed by
spindles, drives, transmissions, gear boxes and electrical motors,
February 2007. It will be constructed on a 10-acre parcel, located
had a double anniversary of sorts.
in Hebron, Ky. The new building will cover 83,000 square feet,
This year is not just the 50th anniversary of the founding of
with 13,000 square feet designated for offices and the balance for
Bonfiglioli Riduttori, the transmission business; it also is the
manufacturing and warehousing. The assembly area will be
10th anniversary of the www.bonfiglioli.com Web site.
divided into four departments: small- and large-sized planetary
To understand how popular this site is, consider that in the
gearboxes, helical gearboxes and worm gearboxes.
month of May alone a total of 79,000 visitors used this high-tech
Bonfiglioli USA Inc. currently has 36 employees, with plans
portal into the world of Bonfiglioli. This means that 2,548 users
to expand its workforce in the near future. Bonfiglioli’s
every day, from all over the world, were able to find up-to-date
customers include Caterpillar, John Deere, Genie, Ingersoll
information about activities, products and services.
Rand, JLG, CNH and many others.
Additionally, Bonfiglioli Riduttori, which employs more than
For more information, visit www.bonfiglioli.com.
Fabio Perini combines converting, packaging Tissue-converting
machinery
manufacturer Fabio Perini S.p.A.
of two new patents: a new clamp geometry and combined winding.
has met customer demands for
The following year at the Tissue
efficiency and improved technology
World Nice 2005 and the “Innovation
with its TIME project.
TIME after TIME” open house at the
In 2004, the company, based in Lucca, Italy, launched TIME, a revolutionary
concept
for
company, the new rewinder TIME700 was presented.
the
At the Miac Show 2005, a new
converting industry that integrated
model of the TIME700 line was
converting and packaging into one
presented, with improved innovations.
Some of the machine solutions offered by the innovative company Fabio Perini S.p.A. include the Kugler-Womako HS 542 (left), the Kugler-Womako HK 571 (right), and the Kugler-Womako Pass Machine (above). manufacturer of paper, tissue and hygienic
prototype machine called TIME1000.
Fabio Perini is part of the Körber
The new TIME rewinder, the heart
PaperLink, a company that offers
products.
machine
www.kpl.net/it.
of the line, required implementation
solutions
for
the
For
more
information,
visit
www.machinesitalia.org
7
E X P E RT A N A LY S I S
The global manufacturing
technology marketplace Globalization has changed the way manufacturers compete. To succeed, companies must create new ideas that tap into the global technology marketplace, says Patricia Panchak
B
e honest with yourself: When you think about
are innovators. Not only are they known for
globalization’s benefits to your company, what
producing high-end custom goods—luxury brands
do you think of? Searching for low-cost labor?
such as Ferrari (www.ferrariusa.com), Prada
Importing low-cost components or consumer
(www.prada.com) and Bulgari (www.bulgari.com)
goods? Establishing a beachhead or increasing
—they’re leaders in developing the high-tech
sales in an emerging economy? If so, you’re not
machine tools that help brand-name companies
alone, but it’s time to take the next step in
throughout the world produce and package their
understanding how globalization can benefit your
products. As reported on page 20, Italian
company.
machinery produces or packages many of the
To do so, you’ll need to turn upside-down the
brand-name items found in U.S. households, such
conventional wisdom about what makes a
as Land O’ Lakes milk products, Anchor Hocking
successful global strategy. You’ll need to begin
glassware and Robert Mondavi wines, as well as
thinking about how to compete on innovation,
the airplanes and industrial equipment built by
rather than on price. You’ll need to turn your
Boeing and Caterpillar.
attention to what developed countries, not just
Secondly, Italian machinery manufacturers are
developing countries, can contribute to your global
eager to solve your problems with improved and
competitiveness. And you’ll need to start thinking
often customized solutions. For instance, Brad
about “importing” the latest technology, rather
Keppel, national sales manager for Rome, Ohio-
than just the typical low-value-added components.
8
1-888-ITALTRADE
based
importer
Premier
Machinery
Inc.
For many U.S. manufacturers, that means
(www.premiermach.com), said both of his main
investing in Italian machinery. Why? First, Italians
importers, Centauro S.p.A. (www.centaurospa.it)
and Locatelli Macchine S.r.l. (www.lomac.it),
countries into “distressed jeans” (new denim jeans
have changed their models to adjust to the U.S.
that are made to look old) sold under the Gucci
market by using more user-friendly software
(www.gucci.com) and Armani (www.armani.com)
interfaces and decreasing the amount of time it
labels—transforming a low-price commodity
takes for changeovers.
product into a pricey luxury good. The article
Companies investing in Italian machinery
reports how Martelli identified the growing
understand how globalization both spurs and
consumer demand for the jeans, searched the
disperses technological innovation throughout the
world for the production technology and processes
world’s manufacturing marketplace. As a result,
to serve the emerging market, and then
their focus is on searching the world for new
developed
technology, in all of its forms, that can deliver a
techniques to create competitive advantage. The
competitive edge to their businesses.
company is now one of the market leaders for
Indeed, recent researchers from INSEAD, a
new—and
secret—manufacturing
premium and elite jeans.
graduate business school based in Fontainebleau,
Globalization, as we’ve known it for the past
near Paris, contend that companies with this new
decade, has been a powerful force in changing the
perspective represent “the logical ‘next step’ in the
way manufacturers compete and, as it continues to
evolution of the multinational enterprise.” They
advance, will force still more changes. Advanced
point out that the competitiveness of a “global
globalization now has created a truly global
company” once depended on penetrating markets
marketplace for new technology and ideas. To
around the world; that companies achieved
succeed in the future, companies must abandon
competitive advantage through strategic innovation
the old ideas about how to compete in a global
at home and then dispersed that advantage
economy, and instead create new ones that tap into
internationally. They assert that future competitive
that global technology marketplace.
advantage will come from a company’s ability to
Unfortunately, it’s easy to see why too many
innovate new products based on new knowledge,
executives of North American manufacturing
including new technology and emerging consumer
companies are still stuck with the old mindset, as it
trends, from around the world and “turning this
derives directly from some entrenched mistaken
innovation into value by producing, marketing and
assumptions that are prevalent in manufacturing
delivering efficiently on a global scale.” The
business strategy today. Too many executives focus
researchers acknowledge that the potential for this
on matching or beating a competitor’s pricing,
type of advantage always has existed, but that the
rather than competing on innovation. Others hold
cost of gathering technology, information and
too narrow a view of innovation; they search the
resources from around the world was too high.
world for new product technologies, but fail to see
Increased globalization, however, has changed that.
the importance of similarly searching for new
Furthermore, some Italian companies are
production and process innovations. Still others just
among the leaders in implementing the strategy
haven’t begun to understand the changing nature of
changes the INSEAD research prescribes. A recent
globalization: that it has increased the ease with
report in The New York Times, for example,
which cross-border innovation takes place today.
describes the operations of Martelli Lavorazioni
But for those who understand the new thinking,
Tessili (www.martelli.it), a manufacturer that
it’s also easy to see where an advanced economy
transforms jeans manufactured in low-wage
such as Italy fits into the new strategic equation.
Patricia Panchak is former editor-in-chief of IndustyWeek magazine and is a speaker and author specializing in global manufacturing. She can be reached at ppanchak@adelphia. net.
www.machinesitalia.org
9
G L O B A L M A N U FA C T U R I N G
Partnering for
success
Italian machinery makers use novel approaches to keep their fingers on the pulse of U.S. industry
I
talians play a large part in U.S. industrial
(www.premiermach.com), of Rome, Ohio, and
history, whether it’s as investors, corporate
I-TECH International (www.itechcorp.us), of
leaders, craftsmen or other contributors. Today,
Milan,
Italians continue to take part in the success of the
demonstrate.
and
Pompton
Plains,
N.J.,
U.S. manufacturing sector, largely by producing
The distributor model is one of the most
some of the world’s highest quality and most
common ways Italian machinery is sold in the
affordable industrial machinery.
United States. Brad Keppel of Premier explains that
Although Italian machinery already has an outstanding reputation in U.S. industry, the Italians
10
Italy,
these relationships are not just about selling and shipping.
Above
are not resting on their laurels. Rather, Italian
Keppel is not only a founder of Premier
Pictured is a Tecnologie FRB face grinder (left). Centauro S.p.A. produces saws and high-tech cutting machinery (right).
machinery manufacturers are forming strategic
Machinery Inc., but he serves as national sales
partnerships to better serve their U.S. clients, as
manager to its thousands of clients. While the job
the profiles of distributor Premier Machinery Inc.
keeps him busy, it’s not difficult to make a sale.
1-888-ITALTRADE
Creating better products for the United States
“Overall, the Italian manufacturers have a real pride in producing a quality product,” Keppel said. “For me, it’s a good product to sell because it’s a good value.” Keppel points out that other European
“Overall, the Italian manufacturers have a real pride in producing a quality product. For me, it’s a good product to sell because it’s a good value.” – Brad Keppel, national sales manager, Premier Machinery, Inc.
manufacturers may have high quality, but it’s not affordable to many companies in the United States. Keppel says the distributor model is a good one for Italian machinery manufacturers because the manufacturers rely on their U.S. partners to be their “eyes and ears” for the U.S. market. For instance, the U.S. market is unlike other markets in its emphasis on shortening turnover and setup time.
Jeff Green and Brad Keppel have more than 40 years’ combined experience in the field of selling industrial machinery. They founded Premier in 2002 with, according to the company, the “goal to be the importer of record for the premier Italian machine manufacturers, in order to bring the highest quality wood and metalworking products to the American model.” Premier’s Italian machinery partners include a range of companies: Centauro S.p.A., Limidi, Italy Producer of saws and high-tech cutting machinery with a Foundry Division and Woodworking Machinery group. For more information, visit www.centaurospa.it. Locatelli Macchine S.r.l., Viale, Italy Produces automatic hydrocopying lathes with teach-in system, sanders for turned pieces, turning-sandingmilling and/or drilling workcenters, lathes for small items, face lathes and tooling for lathes. For more information, visit www.locmac.it. Renzo Borgonovo S.r.l., Verano Brianza, Italy Designs and manufactures specialty machines for frames, linear wood and PVC profile finishing. For more information, visit www.borgonovo.com. Macchia Livio S.n.c., Pisa, Italy Manufacturer of specialty woodturning machinery For more information, visit www.liviomacchia.com. Brusa di Garboli, Fondotoce, Italy Manufacturer of specialty woodworking machinery: woodturning lathes, automatic copying milling machines, dowel sanding machines. For more information, visit www.brusa.it. CAMAM S.r.l., Manzano, Italy Makers of state-of-the-art woodworking machinery for home furnishing applications. For more information, visit www.camamsrl.it.
For this reason, Premier and Centauro S.p.A. (www.centaurospa.it), Limidi, Italy, recently partnered in the development of a hydraulic copy lathe that allows the user to make templates on a
www.machinesitalia.org
11
G L O B A L M A N U FA C T U R I N G
CNC machine and change those templates on the
businesses abroad. I-TECH is active in the United
lathe much quicker than previously: a matter of a
States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, China, Russia and
few seconds rather than a few minutes.
East Europe. In each of these markets, a local
The machine debuted at the IWF (International Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Supply
branch or local partners are able to provide marketing and sales services. According to Ricardo D’Ambrosia, I-TECH Italy formed in 1993 and expanded to the United States in 2002. “Our main purpose is to help our partners
find
local
distributors,
establish
relationships with service companies, OEMs— whatever the company needs to establish itself in the United States.” D’Ambrosia said I-TECH goes beyond being a distributor for partner companies and helps to emphasize service, an increasingly important aspect of machine tool maintenance for all of industry. “The machines have become much more
Fair–USA) show in Atlanta in August. “If we can prove that there is a need for it, they are more than willing to go ahead and design
“The particularity of Italian machinery manufacturers is to solve a specific problem [for a customer]. Nothing is standard.” – Ricardo D’Ambrosia, CEO, I-TECH
and build it.” Besides
innovation
and
new
product
developments, Premier’s manufacturing partners
sophisticated,” D’Ambrosia said. “The service the
also are working on making their machinery
customer requires is much more.”
easier and faster to service by incorporating more
Above Taccella crank shaft grinder
12
1-888-ITALTRADE
D’Ambrosia
said
companies
such
as
designs and parts that are common here. (See
Caterpillar, Toyota’s machinery division and
Creating better products for the United States.)
several Tier 1 and Tier 2 auto suppliers are
Stressing global service is the partnership
customers of I-TECH partners. Sixty percent to 80
model of I-TECH. It was founded by a group of
percent of the I-TECH partner’s equipment is sold
Italian machine tool, components and technology
overseas, mostly in the United States and
manufacturers with the aim of globalizing their
Germany.
A global reach Losma S.p.A., Curno, Italy Offers custom-made industrial filtration systems. For more information, visit www.losma.it. Balance Systems S.p.A., Milan, Italy Designs, builds, commercializes and services equipment and industrial machines conceived to increase productivity, improve production quality, control and manage product and process quality. For more information, visit www.balancesystems.com.
I-TECH International Corp. collaborates with
Rettificatrici Ghiringhelli S.p.A., Luino (Va), Italy Developer of a range of high-tech centerless grinding machines in various fields of manufacturing such as automotive, bearings, electric motors, tooling and textiles. For more information, visit www.ghiringhelli.it.
various Italian manufacturers, including these, to Taccella Macchine S.p.A., Cassine, help them find local distributors and establish relationships with service companies and OEMs.
Italy Designs and builds tool sharpening machines, universal grinding machines, broach grinding machines, cylindrical grinding machines and high-output grinding machines. For more information, visit www.tacchella.it. Rosa Ermando S.p.A., Milan, Italy Leader in designing and building horizontal-spindle grinding machines for plane surfaces and profiles, universal grinding machines for rails and profiles, and creep-feed grinding machines. For more information, visit www.rosa.it.
Ort Italia S.p.A., Trigolo, Italy ORT Italia can satisfy any requirement in the rolling sector. The company raises possibility and versatility levels in the rolling working cycle by offering not only the machine but also all ancillary equipment including automatic magazines, loaders of discharging systems required for optimal operation of the machines, and for high precision and production. For more information, visit www.ortitalia.com. Tecnologie FRB S.r.l., Bologna, Italy Designs and manufactures centers and face drivers for turning, grinding and gear-cutting. For more information, visit www.tecnologiefrb.com. Gasparini S.p.A., Istrana, Italy Maker of press brakes and shearing systems. For more information, visit www.gasparini.it. Simasv S.r.l., Vicenza, Italy Maker of sheet metal working machines: hydraulic bending presses, notchers, ring roller machines and punching machines. For more information, visit www.simasv.com. SACMA S.p.A., Crosio della Valle, Italy Custom design and building of lines and tables. For more information, visit www.luxorweb.it/microsito/sacma/index.php. Norda S.p.A., Brescia, Italy Sheet metal forming automation. For more information, visit www.aptnorda.it.
D’Ambrosia said it’s important for the U.S. market to understand that although many Italian industrial machinery manufacturers are small- to mid-sized companies, they still excel when it comes to innovation. “The
particularity
of
Italian
machinery
manufacturers is to solve a specific problem [for a customer]. Nothing is standard.” (See A global reach.)
www.machinesitalia.org
13
N A N O T E C H N O L O GY
Pioneers from pottery
to polymers Italians continue to be leaders in the new frontier of nanotechnology
W
hile nanotechnology may seem too big—or
glazes. These treatments are what give the pottery
rather, small—a topic to grasp for many
brilliant iridescent reflections of gold and red.
non-scientists,
Italians
have
been
using
nanotechnology since before it had a name. Above Singular ID Italia S.r.l.’s device protects luxury brand-name goods.
14
1-888-ITALTRADE
Fast-forward to today, and Italians still are pioneering ways to use nanotechnology, and many
Italian physicists have discovered pottery from
of those applications will help industrial users of
the Renaissance period that contains metal
Italian-made machinery and products. Items with
nanoparticles and copper ions embedded into
attributes based on nanotechnology applications
are making their way into sensors, materials,
To spread the word about these advances,
packaging, paint and other items. Eventually,
Ranger
Italian machinery may be made of super-materials
nanotechnologies and nanocomposites this past
that clean themselves, resist erosion, inherently
May for employees and customers. The aim was to
send out warning signals long before a service is
introduce and explain this new plastic materials
needed, or alert a remote security system of
technology.
outside tampering or theft. Electronic components will be smaller and faster as well. and
applications
that
involves
manipulation of tiny particles. It is being used to make
materials
stronger
a
conference
on
Ranger’s R&D efforts include the study of nanotechnology, especially testing raw material
Nanotechnology is a wide-open field of research
organized
or
expand
their
already compounded with nanofiller and the compounding of technopolymer with nanoclay. “This is to better understand not only the molding and new performances of these materials
performance capabilities, to build tiny “machines” that act as catalysts, to build ever-smaller components and devices such as semiconductors, and design medical treatments, among other things. Nanotechnology is even being used in foods and in cosmetics. It’s estimated that nanotechnology will influence every sector of the global economy and during the next 10 years will produce new applications valued at more than US$600 billion per year. One Italian company that is in the forefront of nanotechnology
is
(www.ranger.it),
a
Ranger plastics
systems
S.p.A.
“We believe that nanotechnology contributes to some advantages in plastics today and will bring even more advantages in the future. The next technological frontier, without a doubt, will be nanotechnologies and nanocomposites.” – Anna Orietti, spokeswoman, Ranger S.p.A.
and
components manufacturer based in Carate
but also how the compounding influences the
Brianza, Italy. Ranger is investing heavily in
property of this new generation of composites,”
nanotechnologies and nanocomposites. These
Orietti said.
eventually will make their way into the many industrial markets Ranger services. According to company spokeswoman Anna Orietti,
“We
believe
that
While plastics might seem like an obvious place for nanotechnology development, one not-soobvious place is the world of high fashion. New to
nanotechnology
the Italian nanotechnology industry is Singular ID
contributes to some advantages in plastics today
Italia S.r.l. (www.singular-id.com), which is
and will bring even more advantages in the future.
targeting manufacturers of high-end leathergoods,
The next technological frontier, without a doubt,
clothing and other retail items in Italy’s world-
will be nanotechnologies and nanocomposites.”
famous fashion industry.
Beside traditional polymer composites (carbon
The company is a unit of Singular ID Pte. Ltd.,
fiber, glass fiber, nylon, etc.), nanocomposites
a Singapore-based nanotechnology company that
promise to become the most versatile advanced
was founded to commercialize magnetic tagging
industrial materials, according to Orietti.
technology. The company uses micro- and
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15
N A N O T E C H N O L O GY
Nanotechnology Facts
nanotechnology systems to tag and authenticate
Q: What is a nanometer? A: One-billionth of a meter. For comparison purposes, consider that the width of human hair is approximately 80,000 nanometers. A nanometer-sized particle also is smaller than a living cell and can be seen only with the most powerful microscopes available today.
client’s application and needs.
Q: What are engineered nanoparticles? A: Engineered nanoparticles refers to those that do not occur naturally but are created by people. People have been putting together different materials throughout time and now are doing so on the nanoscale.
(www.venetonanotech.it), which retains some
Q: How many researchers are working in nanotechnology today? A: The current estimate is about 20,000 worldwide. Q: How many people will be working in this field in the future? A: The National Science Foundation has estimated that 2 million workers will be needed to support nanotechnology industries worldwide within 15 years. Q: What are some current and future applications of nanotechnology? ! With basic research under way for 20-plus years, nanotechnologies are gaining in commercial introductions. Nanoparticles have been introduced into many existing materials, making them stronger or changing their conductive properties. Significantly stronger polymers will make plastics more widely used to reinforce materials and replace metals, even in the semiconductor area. ! The latest display technology for laptops, cell phones, digital cameras and other uses are made of nanostructured polymer films. Known as OLEDs, or organic light-emitting diodes, several large companies are producing these. Among OLED screen advantages are brighter images, lighter weight, less power consumption and wider viewing angles. ! Nanoparticles also are being used increasingly in catalysis, where the large surface area per unit volume of nanosized catalysts enhances reactions. Greater reactivity of these smaller agents reduces the quantity of catalytic materials necessary to produce desired results. The oil industry relies on nanoscale catalysts for refining petroleum, while the automobile industry is saving large sums of money by using nanosized–in place of larger–platinum particles in its catalytic converters. ! Because of their size, filters made of nanoparticles also have been found to be excellent for liquid filtration. Several products are now available for largescale water purification that can take out the tiniest bacteria and viruses from water systems, in addition to chemicals and particulate matter. SOURCE: National Nanotechnology Initiative (www.nano.gov)
assets. It customizes solutions depending upon the In May, Singular started a division in Padua, a city in the Veneto region of Italy. Singular ID Italia’s start-up was made possible by an award
from
Veneto
Nanotech
SCPA
ownership in the Italian unit. Heading operations in Italy is General Manager Stefano Gallucci. Singular
ID
Nanochallenge
won
Veneto
International
Nanotech’s
Business
Plan
Competition, held last fall. The prize was 200,000 euros (US$255,705) in cash and 100,000 euros (US$127,826) in in-kind services to help establish Singular ID Italia. “We can clearly see how we can incorporate our tagging technology into buttons, zippers, apparel labels, fasteners and other accessories that find their way into fashion goods,” said Peter Moran, chief technology officer of the Singular ID Group. “This means we can offer the principal fashion houses an anti-counterfeiting solution that is ready-to-go, without them having to overly concern themselves with the technology.” 2005 was the first year Veneto Nanotech held the competition. “Our [goal] is to attract new materials-based nanotechnology businesses to the region and then facilitate the process so that the new company can operate effectively and efficiently from the first day,” said Nicola Trevisan, CEO of Veneto Nanotech. “Singular ID Italia’s fit is perfect. It’s a high-technology business that offers commercial products that, in turn, can add value to the goods of local companies.” Although Singular ID Italia is targeting the fashion industry right now, the technology eventually could be used in other industries in Italy. For instance, according to Dr. Adrian Burden,
16
1-888-ITALTRADE
CEO of Singular ID Pte. Ltd., “Other industries that would benefit from our brand security/anticounterfeiting
system
include
automotive
component manufacturers, pharmaceutical and medical suppliers, software and media suppliers, as well as agrochemical and packaged food suppliers. Currently, we target relatively high-markup products where counterfeits cause major safety concerns or damage the reputation of the brand owners, but high-volume applications are also appealing as we scale up the production of tags, scanners and data-hosting services.” In terms of electronic components, one of Italy’s
leaders
is
STMicroelectronics
(www.st.com). The STMicroelectronics group totals close to 50,000 employees, 16 advanced R&D units, 39 design and application centers, 16 main manufacturing sites and 78 sales offices in 36 countries. The STMicroelectronics group was formed in June 1987 as a result of the merger between SGS Microelettronica
of
Italy
and
Thomson
incorporated
Semiconducteurs of France. A goal of the company’s nanotechnology efforts
is
what’s
known
as
“post-silicon
technologies” because they focus on the use of nanotechnology to replace silicon-based memory chips, a very common component in industrial
into
industrial
electronic
(semiconductor) practices. These could lead to integrated circuits improved in terms of reduction
of
energy
consumption
and
increasing of speed and reliability. ◆ Multi-scale technology modeling, in which a variety of computational techniques are used to
machinery. The company says its most important research electronics,
determine equilibrium structures, energy spectra, density of states and the effects
issues in this area are: ◆ Molecular
to develop novel device concepts. ◆ Carbon nanotube (CNT) elements, to be
which
integrates
induced by defects in molecular structures.
functional organic molecules into solid-state
Focusing on the metals market is Centro
devices, as computational/non-volatile storage
Sviluppo Materiali S.p.A. (www.c-s-m.it), which
units, through a low-cost and silicon-
serves the iron and steel, plant engineering and
compatible technology.
manufacturing industries in which traditional and
◆ Innovative materials, with enhanced chemical, physical and optical properties.
advanced materials are employed, as well as smallto medium-sized firms. It is a heavily research-
◆ Polymer and hybrid electronics applications,
oriented organization and has a diversified
focusing on the integration of innovative
manufacturing unit that serves metals and special
materials with low-cost processing techniques
materials
users,
mechanics,
special
tools,
Above Scanner with secure barcode label from Singular ID Italia S.r.l.
www.machinesitalia.org
17
N A N O T E C H N O L O GY
space. Alcatel Alenia Space Italia (also known as AAS-I, www.alcatel.com) is a manufacturer of space infrastructures for manned missions and also produces systems for the fields of launchers, telecommunication and observation satellites both for civilian and military purposes. AASI is researching the areas of nanoceramics and nanometallic materials. A predesign activity of
self-powered
microsensors
based
onto
nanocomponents has started. Applications thermomechanics, aerospace and ceramics.
include
Centro Sviluppo Materiali is conducting
nanomaterials
environments,
clouds
of
for
extreme
nanosensors
for
nanotechnology-based research into material
exploration purposes and monitoring of high-
design (such as steel, titanium, nickel or cobalt
valued systems.
alloys, ceramics, metal matrix composites, coated
In
the
communications
field,
SELEX
products and polymeric composites). Other areas
Communications S.p.A. (www.selex-comms.com)
include basic research (physical, chemical and
is studying and applying nanostructured sensors for wireless sensors networks and for vapor, gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detection
“We can clearly see how we can incorporate our tagging technology into buttons, zippers, apparel labels, fasteners and other accessories that find their way into fashion goods.” – Peter Moran, chief technology officer, Singular ID Group
in a context of environmental protection and homeland security. The company’s research goals are to: ◆ Study and verify the applicability of a new generation of sensors (decisional sensors), built through nanotechnology and applied for detecting chemical elements present in the air in vapor phase. ◆ Develop and validate such sensors, training them to detect some particular elements of interest, by means of artificial intelligence and self-learning techniques. ◆ Develop and validate integrated platforms for
mechanical
properties
as
well
as
new
compositions); design, engineering and processing
functionalities,
(from lab to pilot-plant, demonstration and
transmission).
1-888-ITALTRADE
data
processing
and
industrial scales); construction of functioning
Companies such as these often are helped by
prototype series; and automation and control of
many groups that are working to keep Italy in the
processes and plants, reliability and safety of
forefront of the nanotechnology frontier. Some of
components and structures.
these
Nanotechnology is even reaching outer
18
decisional sensors (incorporating sensing
include
the
aforementioned
Veneto
Nanotech, which is a corporation formed by the
to
become
the
national
nanotechnology,
and
focal
make
point
research
for and
application efforts more beneficial to Italian industry. In addition, the Los Angeles Office of the Italian
Trade
Commission
(ITC,
www.italtrade.com/usa), which is responsible for nanotechnology inquiries and business development opportunities, has the Website Universities of Padua, Venice and Verona, the
www.italytech.com. The site was conceived—for
Region of Veneto, the Minister of Education,
the
University and Research, and various public
information tool by which Italian and American
high-tech
sector—primarily
as
an
institutions and private companies, with an objective to coordinate initiatives and unify the strategic vision of the Italian nanotechnology cluster. Veneto Nanotech intends to: ◆ Create an area of international excellence. ◆ Develop and reinforce existing competencies, aiming to attract both Italian and foreign researchers. ◆ Establish high-profile technological centers for applied-research projects. ◆ Foster
and
provide
access
to
private
investments in research. ◆ Divulge
the
opportunities
offered
by
“Our [goal] is to attract new materials-based nanotechnology businesses to the region and then facilitate the process so that the new company can operate effectively and efficiently from the first day.” – Nicola Trevisan, CEO, Veneto Nanotech
nanotechnology for both process and product innovation. On the national level, the National Institute
companies can find useful links to selected
for the Physics of Matter (INFM, www.infm.it)
organizations, research centers and companies,
carries out fundamental and applied research on
major events, links to ITC services, daily news
the physical properties of atomic, molecular and
and submission of specific requests through an
condensed matter systems. INFM operates
online questionnaire.
through a wide network of research units,
Other than nanotechnology, the main industries
laboratories and R&D centers, and involves more
covered within the site are R&D, aerospace,
than 3,500 scientists.
biotechnology,
electronics,
environmental
Another group is Nanotec IT (the Italian
technologies, information technologies, security
Centre for Nanotechnology, www.nanotec.it.),
and safety equipment, telecommunications and
an autonomous branch of AIRI (Italian Association
advanced materials (biometrics, photonics and
for Industrial Research) whose primary objective is
nutraceuticals).
www.machinesitalia.org
19
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION
Welcome
home
Some of America’s best-known products are made with Italian machinery
A
mericans love brand names. They love them
start with home décor. Right now,
so much that a lot of the writing about how to
one of the hottest trends in this area
create brand names centers on creating emotional
is porcelain stone, which shows up in
connections, not on quality or value.
entryways, kitchens, bathrooms and
Still, the long courtship that leads to a
even outside. Italian machinery
company establishing a lifelong relationship with
manufacturers are a major supplier
its customers could not progress without quality.
to this industry. According to ACIMAC
Simply put, if the suitor is no good, the object of its
(Association of Italian Manufacturers of
affection will find another.
Machinery and Equipment for Ceramics,
With this in mind, it’s no surprise to find that many well-known and much-loved brand names in Above Italian machinery produces popular tiles such as those manufactured by Crossville Inc.
20
1-888-ITALTRADE
this country are produced in part with Italian machinery. Let’s look at the typical home. Specifically, let’s
www.acimac.it), the industry increased exports by 15.3% in 2005 to 74.3% of total sales. The sector is exporting more than 100 million euros (US$128 million) worth of machinery a year to the United States and Canada, a sales growth
rate of about 10%. For instance, Crossville Inc. in
world
Crossville,
technology
Tenn.,
is
the
largest
domestic
leader
in
food
machinery,
manufacturer of porcelain stone and built the first
consistently exporting over
U.S. tile plant designed to manufacture large-unit
90% of its production each
porcelain tiles. “Planned and equipped to be state-
year,
of-the-art facilities, Crossville’s plants manufacture
Italian
tiles ranging in size from 3-inches-by-3-inches to
(www.italtrade.com). Companies in all types of
18-inches-by-18-inches,” the company states.
food production use Italian machinery.
according Trade
to
the
Commission
According to Svend Hovmand, chairman of
One of those found in the dairy section of your
Crossville Inc., no one compares with Italian
local grocery store is Land O’ Lakes. At the Land O’
manufacturers when it comes to tile-producing
Lakes facility in Tulane, Calif., three pieces of
machinery. Crossville uses at least three Italian
Italian-made equipment keep the production
machines throughout its process from SACMI
process going as wet milk is converted to dry milk
Imola
(www.sacmi.it),
BMR
S.p.A.
(www.bmr.it), and BNT S.r.l. (Bignozzi New Technologies, www.bignozzi.com).
for use as an ingredient in other commercial food products or for reconstitution to drinkable milk. “We’ve been using them for 10 years. They are
“In the tile industry, the Italian machinery
good machines,” says Robert Brown, vice president
manufacturers really are in the lead and dominate
of manufacturing for the western region. He’s
the industry,” Hovmand said. “There are very [few]
referring to machinery from GEA Process
realistic alternatives.”
Engineering Italia S.p.A. (GEA Jet Pumps Div.,
Hovmand has been using Italian machinery since the ’80s and says the quality has only gotten
www.gea-pe.it) used at the Tulane site, which has three plants.
better: “Everything is made to order. That may be
Of course, drinking milk requires a glass, and if
one of the reasons the Italians lead. They have the
you are in the United States, there’s a good chance
flair to produce a custom solution.”
that glass was made by Anchor Hocking Glass Inc.,
SACMI Imola manufactures machines and
Lancaster, Ohio. The company is a leading
complete plants for the ceramics, beverage and
designer, manufacturer and marketer of high-
packaging, and plastics industries. BMR makes
quality glass products for consumers, the
polishers, cutting systems, grinders and other
foodservice industry and commercial applications.
machinery for ceramics manufacturers. BNT
Anchor Hocking’s product lines include drinkware,
manufactures special-purpose machinery; pumps
stemware, serviceware, dinnerware, bakingware,
and compressors; and mining, quarrying and
storage, candle, craft, floral and home décor
construction machinery.
products.
Food processing is another industry with
Two Italian-made machines are in use at the
hundreds of beloved brand names. Italy is the
Lancaster site, according to company spokeswoman
Above Anchor Hocking uses Italian machinery to make cups and mugs
www.machinesitalia.org
21
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION
Barb Wolf. A Tecno 5 from Tecno5 S.r.l. (www.tecno5.it) is used to decorate odd-shaped items such as coffee mugs. An Olivotto Antas S.p.A. (www.olivotto.it) machine is used for all blown products, which means anything used to drink. Italian exports of glass-making machinery are on the rise to the United States, growing at 9%, according to GIMAV (Association of Italian manufacturers and suppliers of machinery, equipment and special products for glass processing, www.gimav.it). Overall exports rose
“Maytag Man” repairman in the United States—
by 8.07% between 2003 and 2004.
meaning that the quality is so high, no one ever
Speaking of drinking, several makers of well-
calls him. Such quality requires precision metal
known wine brands use Italian machinery. For
trimming, and the Cleveland, Tenn., Maytag plant
instance, Robert Mondavi Winery of Acampo,
uses
Calif., uses a bottling machine from MBF S.p.A.
machine.com) machines to do that.
(www.mbf.it). Says the company: It “is generally
S.n.c.
(www.lucas-
The Nuova LUCAS lineup includes circular shearing/beading
and manufactures complete systems for all types of
machines/tube punching machines; trimming
drinks and prides itself on collaborating with
machines/beading machines; special/combined
customers on product design.
machines;
used
Italian
machinery.
Other
Italian
manufacturers selling bottling systems to U.S. winemakers
are
Gruppo
Bertolaso
S.p.A.
(www.bertolaso.com), Fimer S.r.l. (www.fimer.it), GAI
S.r.l.
(Macchine
Enoagricole
machines
machines;
flanging
designed
to
client
specifications; complete production lines; and hydraulic presses. According PRODURRE
to
UCIMU-SISTEMI
(Association
of
PER Italian
Manufacturers of Machine Tools, Robots,
and
M.E.P.
Automation Systems and Ancillary Products,
Perugini
S.n.c.,
www.ucimu.it), Italy is third in the world as a
(www.gai-it.com),
www.perugini-enoagricole.it).
1-888-ITALTRADE
LUCAS
acknowledged to be a superior filler.” MBF designs
Sonoma Wine Co. of Graton, Calif., has also
22
Nuova
manufacturer and as an exporter in this sector. The
Of course, some food and drink preparation
producers also have certain features that
goes on in the home, which requires cooking. Some
distinguish them from the industries of other
of the top brands of household appliances sold in
countries. For instance, according to UCIMU: “The
the United States are produced with Italian
500-odd companies in Italy are small or medium-
machinery. For instance, Maytag (which is being
sized. In a typical company, management is firmly
acquired by Whirlpool) is famous for its lonely
in the hands of the owner, and normally no more
than 70 persons are employed, compared with the 200 that are the average in Germany and Japan, where, in addition, management has a highly vertical structure.”
“As to the quality of products, it is significant that almost 70% of the machine tools produced in Italy are electronically controlled, and 20% of these form part of integrated systems (cells and systems made up of more than three machines).” UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE (The Association of Italian Manufacturers of Machine Tools, Robots, Automation Systems and Ancillary Products)
Size actually plays into their flexibility and quick response, unmatched by the manufacturers
has used Italian machinery, for instance Rambaudi
of any other country, according to UCIMU. “As to
S.p.A. (www.sachmangroup.com) milling machines.
the quality of products, it is significant that almost
Rambaudi (acquired by Sachman Group in
70% of the machine tools produced in Italy are
2002) “represents the new big pole of the Italian
electronically controlled, and 20% of these form
machine tool industry,” according to the company,
part of integrated systems (cells and systems made
which has invested heavily in R&D to produce new
up of more than three machines).”
solutions, including RAMMEC and RAMFAST. Other
Italian machine tools also have produced well-
machines are being developed. Rambaudi exports
known furniture brands in the United States such
approximately 70% of its machines, which are being
as Stanley Furniture Co. Inc., which has
used in the automotive, aerospace, defense and
used woodworking machinery from Tagliabue
power-generation industries as well as for mold and
S.p.A (www.tagliabue.it), and Baleri Italia
die applications and general precision machining. In
(www.baleri-italia.com).
addition to Boeing, brand names it serves include General Motors Corp., Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky, Beretta, Colt, Winchester, Ferrari, Fiat, Renault, Opel, Saab, Maserati, Peugeot, Citröen, General Electric, Siemens, Electrolux, Whirlpool, Westinghouse and Hewlett Packard. Among other numerous Italian machine tool machinery manufacturers used by airplane manufacturers and their suppliers are JOBS S.p.A. (www.jobs.it), Emco Mecof S.r.l. (www.mecof.it) and Pietro Carnaghi (www.pietrocarnaghi.com). By the way, when you are on your trip, don’t forget to write. And if you use an envelope from National Envelope Corp. in Long Island, N.Y.,
Finally, it’s always nice to get away from home
chances are it was produced in part using a
once in a while. And if your vacation includes a
machine from Bolzoni S.p.A. (www.bolzoni-
flight on an aircraft from Boeing, you might not be
auramo.com), which makes, among other things,
getting away from Italian machinery. The company
pulp- and paper-handling solutions.
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23
L E A N M A N U FA C T U R I N G
Italian companies
embracing lean The lean initiatives Italian manufacturers adopt benefit their customers
I
talian product companies have always been
“We believe the new Mondo & Scaglione pallet
of their products, but now they can stake another,
system offers a number of advantages over the
equally impressive claim—champions of process
competition—with safety and cost-effectiveness at
improvements.
the top of the list,” said Helios Ruiz, Sealed Air’s
Italian machinery manufacturers not only benefit from these “lean manufacturing” methods
packaging division. These types of customer-centered product
customers in the form of better pricing, improved
improvements are not uncommon in lean projects,
quality and improved efficiencies.
according to Bonfiglioli. “Creativity is not a matter
“Italian products were traditionally best known
of methods, models or engineering,” he said.
for their unique style,” said Michele Bonfiglioli,
“However, every time we deploy lean techniques in
CEO of Milan-based Bonfiglioli Consulting S.r.l.
an R&D department, we always observe an
(www.bcsoa.it) “However, increasing global
amazing increase in creative output.
competition has forced Italian companies to start a
“This is mainly due to the new work philosophy
lean journey. Now, Italian products can be
based on very productive teamwork, group
considered high-quality products at competitive
synergies, self-development, professional growth,
prices, and with very reliable orders delivery.”
knowledge transfer and company recognition. The
instance,
Scaglione,
lean approach turns employees into enthusiastic
(www.mondo-scaglione.com) partnered with
‘company people,’ willing to learn and to share
U.S.-based Sealed Air to introduce this year a
their own knowledge.”
Mondo
&
revolutionary pallet system that reduces clutter and improves safety. The pallet-management system, which can be
The Bonfiglioli group has helped many Italian machinery manufacturers implement lean projects
including
ACMA
GD
S.p.A.
used in a warehouse or on a factory floor (next to
(www.acmagd.it); Bianchi Vending Group
a production cell, for instance), eliminates the
(www.bianchivending.com); Comer Industries
practice of pulling the top pallet from a stack by
S.p.A. (www.comerindustries.com); Emco Mecof
automating the process and delivery of product at
S.r.l. (www.mecofspa.com); and SAMPUTENSILI
ground level. The magazine accommodates up to
S.p.A. (www.samputensili.com).
15 pallets at a time.
1-888-ITALTRADE
marketing director of its European shrink
internally, but they pass these benefits on to their
For
24
costs and improving output to increase efficiency.
known for world-renowned design and quality
“In our experience—we can count over 50
According to the two companies, they are
lean-thinking projects successfully implemented—
aiming particularly at aiding the food processing
productivity always greatly benefits on average up
and packaging industries, which are cutting labor
to 15%. Stock reduction (on average 30%) is a
makeovers visible and convincing way of sponsoring the
deliver the best product with
necessary changes on the shop floor.
the best quality at the lowest
“The impact on logistic costs is also strong and
price. This is achieved through
clear. In the R&D areas, where the link between
total flow management, built-in
productivity and profits can appear not-so-straight-
quality, product development
forward, lean implementation scores amazing
and continuous improvement.
results especially in time-to-market reduction, development cost and reliability.”
In addition to improving its delivery cycle, Electrolux
Another of Bonfiglioli’s clients, Ducati Motor
has reduced space in its oven
S.p.A. (www.ducati.com/it), is famous for its lean
manufacturing site by 1,000
implementation and subsequent increase in
square meters, reduced cycle times by more than
competitiveness. The manufacturer of motorbikes
1,500 minutes a day and reduced operating travel
and transportation equipment improved in virtually
by more than 20,000 meters a day.
all metrics including cutting production costs by
But the fruits of EPS are not just reductions.
25%, reducing defects by 70% and increasing
The company invests 7% of net sales in R&D and
throughput without increasing factory space,
has designed several products with improving
employment or other capital investments. Ducati
customer efficiency in mind. Some of these are:
relied heavily on training to reach its goals and plans
◆ Air-o-speed
to continue continuous improvement programs. According to Bonfiglioli, the production floor is
ultra-high-speed
combination
oven: Provides the functions of four ovens in one product and decreases cooking times by
the natural place for any lean implementation to
over 50% (energy savings for the end-user).
start. Sometimes, investment in more efficient
◆ Pressure braising pan: Double-insulation design
machinery is the best way to “lean out” a problem
provides for decreased heat dissipation (reduces
area, and Italian machinery manufacturers are
energy costs for the end-user); this product can also reduce cooking times by over 50%.
offering more in this area. For
example,
Electrolux
Professional
◆ Warewashing/Dishwashers
(undercounter
(www.electrolux-professional.com), an industrial
and hood-type models): Require only one
food service equipment manufacturer located in
gallon of water per rack (reduces water
Vallenoncello and Villotta, Italy, has reduced
consumption).
product delivery times by 60% on standard
What’s in store for Italian industry in the future
product lines using a lean manufacturing
when it comes to lean? According to Bonfiglioli,
approach. (The company calls this approach the
the practices were first adopted by large, multi-
Electrolux Production System, or EPS.)
national companies, but now “small to midsized
Electrolux’s process improvement efforts focus on four areas, with the overarching goals being to
companies are nowadays probably the fastest growing sector for lean projects.”
Above Air-o-speed combination oven from Electrolux Professional
www.machinesitalia.org
25
S H O W C A S I N G I N N O V AT I O N
Awards programs
highlight Italian industry Students are granted trips to machine tool and packaging technology manufacturers
T
he
Italian
Trade
Commission
(ITC,
Tacchella Macchine S.p.A. (www.tacchella.it),
www.italtrade.com/usa), in conjunction
Mandelli Sistemi S.p.A. (www.riellosistemi.it)
with several partners, made it possible for two
26
and Marposs S.p.A. (www.marposs.com).
groups of North American students to gain first-
In addition to the ITC, sponsors include
hand knowledge of the Italian machine tool and
UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE (Association of
packaging machinery industries this year.
Italian Manufacturers of Machine Tools, Robots,
Student Winners
Winners of the first annual Italian Machine
Automation Systems and Ancillary Products,
Tool Technology Awards (IMTTA) were awarded a
www.ucimu.it) and the Society of Manufacturing
Winners of the first annual Italian Machine Tool Technology Awards (IMTTA) are Matthew Duffin of California State University and Yigit Karpat of Rutgers University. Winners of the Italian Packaging Technology Awards (IPTA) are Nicholas Adair (Michigan State University), Nicole Cerrato (University of Florida), Wesley Freimuth (University of Wisconsin/ Stout), Alexia Karpilov (Rochester Institute of Technology), John Koontz (Virginia Tech), Lillian Liu (San Jose State University), Dana Mullen (Clemson University), and Josh Taylor (California Polytechnic State University).
one-week trip to Italy (Sept. 18-22) to visit top
Engineers’
Italian companies in the machine tool industry.
www.sme.org/foundation).
To receive information on these programs and for the latest machine tool and packaging technologies from Italy, phone 1-888ITALTRADE or log onto www.machinesitalia.org.
company tours and discussions with these
Cavanna S.p.A. (www.cavanna.com), G.D. S.p.A.
machine tool machinery manufacturers located in
(www.gidi.it), Goglio S.p.A. (www.goglio.it),
and around the Italian cities of Bologna, Piacenza
IMA
and Milan:
(www.mg2.it), Carle & Montanari S.p.A.
1-888-ITALTRADE
Education
Foundation
(SME,
The IMTTA program is comprised of a
On a separate trip in June, a group of students
competition that asks upper-level students attending
traveled to Italy as winners of the Italian
premier North American universities to write a
Packaging
Technology
Awards
(IPTA,
thesis on one of the following topics: “Technical
www.ucima.it/pageuciuk/ipta). The program is
innovation
sponsored by the ITC, UCIMA (Italian Packaging
in
the
metalworking
machinery
manufacturing industry” or “Innovation in material
Machinery
applications for the metalworking industry.”
www.ucima.it) and the Institute of Packaging
The aim of the program is to enrich the
Manufacturers
Association,
Professionals (IoPP, www.iopp.org).
engineering education of students and to advance
The aim of the program is to enrich the
knowledge within the industry to the next generation
packaging education of students and to advance
of metalworking professionals.
knowledge within the industry to the next
Italy is one of the world’s main producers of
generation of packaging professionals.
machine tools and systems for a variety of sectors
The IPTA 2006 trip itinerary included company
and has been providing companies around the
tours and discussions with the following packaging
globe with innovative metalworking technologies,
machinery manufacturers located in and around
ideas and solutions.
the Italian cities of Bologna and Milan:
The trip to Italy is scheduled to include
Benco Pack, S.p.A. (www.benco-pack.sacmi.it),
S.p.A.
(www.ima.it),
MG2
S.r.l.
BLM S.p.A.– BLM Group (www.blmgroup.com),
(www.carle-montanari.it), Sympack Group-
Pietro Carnaghi S.p.A. (www.pietrocarnaghi.it),
Corazza S.p.A. (www.corazza.it) and SIT s.a.
Cesare Galdabini S.p.A. (www.galdabini.it),
(www.sit.sm).
Italian innovation in the spotlight
Machines Italia takes “Turning innovation into productivity” on the road in 2006 with featured participation at two major North American events
I
f you make the purchasing decisions for your
advances, workshops and education on best
company, you have an enormous responsibility.
practices. In keeping with this aim, Machines Italia
You must know the ins and outs of production in a
will present the latest information on its partner
way no one else does—finding machines and
associations and companies at these events.
systems solutions that are functional, reliable and
At our booths in the Adams Mark Hotel
durable, with readily available service and spare
(Dallas) and the Reliant Center (Houston),
parts. You decide whether the return on
Machines Italia representatives will help you find
investment ultimately can be realized. In short,
the right partners and manufacturers who can
much of your company’s success depends on your
administer to your most challenging and specific
purchasing choices. Italian machinery can make
production needs. You will obtain information on the world’s
your decision easier. That’s why this year Machines Italia is proud to
most highly skilled engineers, designers and
be one of the featured exhibitors at two major
manufacturers who always turn innovation into
manufacturing industry events: the Association for
productivity either by retooling existing concepts
Manufacturing Excellence’s Annual Conference
or by creating entirely new systems not yet
being held in Dallas, Texas, October 16–20, 2006
imagined.
#303),
2006
While the conferences will address a variety of
(Automation Conference, Exhibition and Training)
issues affecting global enterprise excellence and
being held October 17–19 in Houston, Texas
corporate leadership, Machines Italia will provide
(Booth #1200).
visitors with case histories, industry white papers
(Booth
and
the
ISA
Expo
Both share the common goal of striving to
and current information on what Italian machinery
improve global competitiveness within the
manufacturers are doing here in North America to
manufacturing industry, presenting technological
keep local manufacturers productive.
For more information on the AME Annual Conference and the ISA EXPO, please visit their respective Websites: www.ameconference.org and www.isa.org/expo
www.machinesitalia.org
27
I TA L I A N M A C H I N E RY
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 $3 billion 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 170 Italian companies. Member manufacturers are world leaders in this sector, supplying the most advanced footwear, leathergoods and tanning technology all over the world. In 2005, 140 countries acquired Italian technology—representing 60% of Italy’s production volume. 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 77 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
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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. As an official representative of the industry, UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE acts as a worldwide ambassador for some of the latest technology developed in Italy. The 201 member companies, who produce around 70% of the output for the sector, have won universal recognition for their quality, flexibility, reliability and customization. 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 United States 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 Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, representing 80% of the entire Italian textile machinery production. Members take 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 220 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
www.machinesitalia.org
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