Italian spring makers convene: the focus is on failure management and responsibility
The 61st National Conference of ANCCEM, the National Association of Manufacturers of Metal Springs and Elastic Components, was held on May 24, 2024, at the Leonardo Helicopters plant in Vergiate, Italy. The day was filled with a series of presentations that addressed topics of interest for the Italian spring industry. It was also an opportunity to present and approve the 2023 financial statements and the 2024 budget. The conference was opened by the President of the Association, Mr. Silvestri.
Statement by ANCCEM President Francesco Silvestri
President Silvestri inaugurated the public program of the conference with an overview of ANCCEM's activities and the challenges faced by the Italian spring manufacturing sector. These are challenges that Italian producers sometimes share with their foreign counterparts, as confirmed by Dennis Abels, President of the Dutch Spring Association, who attended the meeting with a delegation of other Dutch spring manufacturers. This participation aimed to strengthen the network of international relations and promote cooperation among European spring producers.
Safety Guidelines for spring manufacturers: updates
Silvestri provided updates on the Safety Guidelines, a document developed by ANCCEM in 2016 to specify and standardize safety regulations in the spring manufacturing sector. The document was expected to be approved by INAIL (the Italian Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work) in 2021, but unfortunately, this has not yet happened despite the association's efforts. ANCCEM is continuing its work to complete the process; if approved, the Guidelines would represent an important tool for ensuring worker safety in the sector and allowing everyone to operate under the same rules.
Regulatory updates for spring manufacturers
The President then outlined the latest regulatory updates affecting the spring and elastic components market, including the updated ISO TC227 on the methodology for testing torsion springs and the strategic revision of the UNI EN10270-1 standard on non-alloy steels. The latter introduces changes to the specifications for coatings on pre-galvanized wires, potentially leading to an increase in the coating classes requested by customers, which would have a tangible impact on the work of spring manufacturers.
Carbon Footprint Calculator for springs
Among the topics on the agenda was the FRED Carbon Footprint Calculator, a browser-accessible program that allows the determination of the carbon footprint of various products, including elastic components. 'We thought as ANCCEM to provide this tool to our members,' stated Silvestri, and to this end, an agreement was signed with the German organization that developed it, granting ANCCEM members easier access to the program. This responds to a growing need among companies, driven by customer demands for information on the sustainability of their products.
General economic performance for the Italian spring industry
President Silvestri expressed his concern about some contradictions in the Italian economy. Despite GDP growth and the European Commission's upward forecasts, the manufacturing sector is suffering from a decline in production and increased hours of government-subsidized layoff schemes (‘Cassa integrazione’). This situation, coupled with the low unemployment rate, highlights an uneven distribution of economic growth, with some sectors, such as tourism and service industries, expanding, while others, like the manufacturing industry, are struggling. The fear is that Italy is moving too far away from this key sector for innovation and growth; however, there is hope the upcoming European elections in June will lead to a desirable revival of industrial policies.
Presentation by Eng. Ghidini (ESA)
Eng. Ghidini from the European Space Agency (ESA) gave a presentation on the topic of "Material Failures" in the aerospace sector. Ghidini emphasized that the analysis of these failures has always been crucial for innovation and safety. Even when catastrophic, failures provide a valuable source of knowledge for identifying design weaknesses and developing innovative solutions that enhance the strength and reliability of components. In this context, he highlighted the importance of a corporate culture that values failure analysis, which is essential for progress and innovation.
Presentation by Prof. Bonomi (Scuola di Economia Civile - School of Civil Economy)
Prof. Bonomi, an expert from the Italian School of Civil Economy, addressed the topic of "corporate social responsibility." The traditional focus on short-term profit has clearly shown its flaws, leading to increased inequalities and environmental degradation. The alternative is the civil economy, a paradigm based on a more collaborative view of human nature and the market as a place of mutual benefit. Companies are thus encouraged to assume their social responsibility with measures, such as implementing an ethical code, corporate welfare policies, and assessing their environmental impact. Sustainability should not be seen as a risk but as an opportunity to create shared value and contribute to a more just future.
Pictured are Eng. Ghidini and Prof. Bonomi at the ANCCEM 2024 conference.
Visit to Leonardo Helicopters
The conference day wrapped up with an interesting tour of Leonardo's helicopter assembly area, which was appreciated by the over 130 professionals attending the meeting. The next event for ANCCEM is a member trip to India, scheduled for November 20-30, 2024. This will be an opportunity to visit a series of wire drawing plants, spring manufacturers, and automotive constructors in the country, as well as to participate in the wire India trade fair.
In summary, the 2024 edition of the ANCCEM Conference concluded on a positive note, reaffirming itself as a valuable moment of meeting and discussion. Despite the market's competitive nature, ANCCEM once again demonstrated how collaboration, even among competing companies, and the sharing of knowledge can represent an added value and a key factor for everyone's success.
