INSIGHT

their business, but also their customers’ businesses. By speaking to them we can ensure we are informed about what is happening in the distribution and end user markets – meaning we can react quickly with the right strategies to follow what the markets’ need.”

Experienced in manufacturing

Bontempi Vibo has a lot of manufacturing capabilities, as well as experience and knowledge within the business, which means it can help customers, and even customers’ customers, to resolve issues with products or applications. “A prime example is that we recently helped a distributor customer, who had an ender user customer who believed there were quality issues with products,” explains Andrea. “The distributor got in touch with us and we worked with them and analysed the situation. Through the use of a third-party external laboratory, we were able to demonstrate that the issue was actually down to the end user customer – who was not handling the bolts in the correct way. This led to a completely different approach by the end user customer and helped improve the way they were handling all fastener products. Our customer, the distributor, thanked us for our help on behalf of the end user, as the reliability of the company was improved, and the end user was able to improve their processes.”

Mario adds: “Thanks to the vast experiencing within Bontempi Group, we are able to demonstrate to our customers how they can have a more reliable and cost-effective product by working with us. We want our customers to think of Bontempi Vibo for whenever they need a standard product in Europe or have a challenge within an application or installation.”

Mi.Me.Af. collaboration

In addition to the work on Bontempi’s sales strategy, Andreas has also been continuing to work on Mi.Me.Af.’s approach to the market. “We purchased Mi.Me.Af. in March 2021 and we immediately set to work on understanding the relationships with the customers. The company was founded in 1952 and is well known within the industry. I wanted to ensure Mi.Me.Af. was meeting the needs of its customers and supplying the products and services they needed. It is now two years since the acquisition and we are getting customers coming to us and saying we are one of their best suppliers for products, service, and reliability, which shows that the work we have been doing is working.”

Going forward, the sales strategy for Mi.Me.Af. is to become more competitive regarding price, as well as to develop the capacities and capabilities of the business. “We are well known for our ability to make a wide range of special parts and we are currently expanding our portfolio of items with existing customers, as well as working with new customers on new products,” underlines Andreas. “This includes customers in our main markets of automotive and furniture, as well as new markets such as appliances and kitchen utensils. Whilst automotive is undoubtedly the number one market for us, we are always keen to work in new areas and by working closely with our customers we can further understand their needs.”

Being part of the Bontempi Group means that Mi.Me.Af. can also help Bontempi’s distributor customers when it comes to special or bespoke parts. “One of the projects we are putting in place is with distributors that are already Bontempi Vibo customers,” highlights Andreas. “Bontempi is well known for the quality of its product, and service, which means that as soon as customers know that Mi.Me.Af. is part of the Bontempi Group, they are interested in working with us –thanks to the reputaiton. We already have a couple of projects that are ongoing and we have some further projects planned for 2023. The aim is to grow this area of the business in the future and to develop even more of a connection between Bontempi Vibo and Mi.Me.Af. – in order to develop both markets and help both companies to grow.” www.vibo.com www.mimeaf.it

Job title: Sales area manager Responsibilities: Sales and customer care for European customers.

Experience: Cristina has 9 years’ experience in the sales department of Bontempi Vibo – building long-lasting relationships with foreign customers thanks to her ability to speak different languages and through daily contacts and exchanges.

Job title: Area manager Responsibilities: Sales and contact person for Italian customers.

Experience: Camilla has one year of experience in the sales department at Bontempi Vibo, but has already become a main contact for Italian clients – providing quotes, individual customer support and guaranteeing exceptional service.

Job title: Area manager Responsibilities: Sales and customer care for the European market.

Experience: Natalia has five years’ experience in sales and customer care with a strong focus on the German and UK markets. “My main purpose is to give our customers day-by-day active support, as well as meeting their needs and delivering a top rate service.”