Tube machinery
The voice of businessmen: Violi Machines
Within our section devoted to interviews with entrepreneurs, the word goes today to Giorgio Violi, owner of the company Violi srl based in Monte San Savino, Arezzo, Italy. We interviewed him to feel the pulse of a company, Violi srl, that is specialized in the production of machines for various sectors: industrial machinery for the manufacturing of tubes and wires, goldsmith machinery and machines for the recovery of metals.
How are you doing at this time, Mr. Violi?
I would say good. We are almost in line with last year's levels. The premises are positive.
No "crisis"?
Well, there is much uncertainty around. Decision-making processes are very slow, customers more cautious…
Is there a sector of the three you're involved in – we recall, machines for wire and tube, jewelery machinery and equipment for materials recovery – which is more driving than the others?
All three are fairly homogeneous. The majority of the work arrives from the industry, the mechanical sector is perhaps the most driving. Certainly not the gold sector, which is going down.
If you look at your production, how much of it goes abroad and how much remains in Italy?
80% of our machines are exported abroad. Russia, Arab countries, India, and then Europe, but secondarily. Well, where the economy is still working...
And what channels do you use to make yourself known in these countries?
Our sales people, business trips, and contacts made at various shows and exhibitions.
Speaking of fairs, what are the next ones according to your schedule?
The show Ecomondo Rimini is the most imminent - November 7 to 10 - as regards our activities in the recovery of waste materials. The following one is the Dubai International Jewellery Week, November 21 to 24, for what concerns our machines for the jewelry industry. In January there is VicenzaOro, and then we are evaluating our presence at other events.
Are you investing on other projects?
Our current investments are focused on the development of the commercial structure, on the development of new machines and the upgrading of existing machines: we work hard to meet the special needs of certain customers, so we take a machine already in production, we make improvements, or special devices. This process is a very important vector of growth and improvement for us.
Coming to your country, Italy, if you could say something to the institutions...?
I would say that one of the main problems is access to credit. We should go back to the mentality there was 20 years ago. Today those who have spirit of enterprise are absolutely not rewarded. Institutions, banks, are based on ratings, stringent parameters, technical data that don't always picture the reality of companies, that have existed for decades, and that employ people, manufacture and innovate.
