Projecting Into the Future

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

www.machinesitalia.org

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.

www.machinesitalia.org

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

30

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

31