On a splendidly sunny day, on Wednesday 6 October 2004 about 240 people attended the inauguration of the new premises of Manfredini & Schianchi, The new facility in the new industrial zone (at via G.M. Dallari, 2) in Sassuolo has been built on a 15,000 square-metre plot in a futuristic building measuring 800 square metres, with a modern shop floor of over 4,000 square metres, a Research and Development area covering 800 square metres with a relative pilot system for a semi-industrial trials; lastly there is a technical office, technological laboratory and showroom where the company’s search results will be presented.
One could say that the new premises in Via Dallari are Manfredini & Schianchi fourth "home" in its 42 years of history. In fact, Manfredini Umberto and Gian Franco Schianchi started their business way back in 1962, in a small shop in Via della Repubblica just a few steps away from Sassuolo’s old town; their only capital was a lathe and a second-hand milling machine. The first important step was the first manufacturing shed in Via Moncenisio in 1967. It was then that they started thinking of building machines and not just spare parts, as they had done until then. In 1974 the site in Via Valle D’Aosta was set up (which had been the home of Manfredini & Schianchi until a few months previously), and people began to talk of complete ‘turnkey’ systems.
In the inaugural speeches held by Monsignor Achille Lumetti and the newly elected Mayor of Sassuolo, Dr. Graziano Pattuzzi and by his fellow Mayor of nearby Fiorano, Dr. Claudio Pistoni, the progress of Manfredini & Schianchi in recent years and its rapport with its workforce were highlighted. Manfredini & Schianchi is now trying to become increasingly internationalised and is setting itself the objective of opening branches in key markets. Manfredini & Schianchi in fact exports 80% of its output.
He warmly welcomed the guests, companies and banks that had supported the company in this undertaking that had been made possible because the manufacturing results of the last few years had confirmed how much the ceramics industry appreciated his company’s machines and systems.
One pleasing note was the presentation by the Brazilian partner Bozzetto of a portrait of the founders of the Sassuolo company, a really touching memento for the two partners who are now assisted in the company by their children, who are the new generation and already hold important positions in the company. Alessandro Manfredini is the Director of the Commercial Department; Fabio Schianchi is head of Accounts and Marketing; Stefano Schianchi is Export Manager and Head of the South-East Asia Area. Daniele Schianchi is Head of Quality and Production; Andrea Manfredini is Head of Sales for Spain and Mexico. The offices, workshops and production plant of the new facility were then visited and afterwards there was a buffet attended by friends, customers and employees of the company.
There were delegations from all over the world, including to mention just a few countries: Iran, Indonesia, India, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Spain, Mexico, Argentina and in particular Brazil. Brazil is in fact today Manfredini & Schianchi’s largest partner. This is above all due to the support of its subsidiary in Criciuma (Santa Caterina state).
Manfredini & Schianchi Brazil was set up in 1999, also thanks to the support of the two Brazilian partners, Jorge Bozzetto and Angelo Silvestre and today has a turnover of about 3 million euros and about 22 employees. Its name is a guarantee of quality throughout South America for the processing of raw materials.
