In the seventies the company
invented the single-layer cutting system, which became a school in the world. Today
the company from Pontecchio Marconi, in the Bologna area, is a leader in the
cutting of tubular fabric for T-shirts, sweatshirts and underwear. More than 18
million euros in turnover and 6% invested in research and development. Giampaolo
Colletti interviews Francesco Virlinzi, Chairman and CEO of Bierrebi for FARE
INSIEME
of Giampaolo Colletti
@gpcolletti
Photocredit: Giacomo Maestri e Francesca Aufiero
Distinguishing marks: being
pioneers. Because arriving before others can make a difference. The story we
are about to tell consists of an idea that scales the markets of half the world.
It all started in 1963: Cesare Beccari and Mario Roda, two start-uppers from
Bologna, set up Bierrebi. In 1970 Bierrebi revolutionised the technique with
the single-layer cutting system. Beccari created a cutting machine with a
socket punch in the press, a simple, almost automated mould for clothes, capable,
however, of replicating a tailored cut on an industrial level. It soon became
an overwhelming success. Thus, a first network of agents and distributors was
established in Europe for what would become the leading company in the cutting
of tubular fabric typical of T-shirts, sweatshirts and underwear. Then with the
eighties the first sales arrived in America and Japan and the totally automatic
machines for cutting tubular fabric were introduced. With the nineties Bierrebi
reached another milestone: it became the leader for T-shirts in the American
market. «The cutting solutions improved and expanded in line with technology
and customer requests, but the mission remained the same: to build reliable, high-performance
and long-lasting machinery capable of cutting fabrics and other materials
without interruption», says Francesco Virlinzi, Chairman and CEO of Bierrebi. This
young entrepreneur took over the company with Mario Paoluzi, keeping the entire
staff. «In 2010 we took over the company following a bankruptcy and took over
all the employees and machinery. And then we dusted off other projects closed
in the drawer, as if we were really a product start-up. The people have all
remained, which is a great pride for us», says Virlinzi.
From
Bologna to the whole world. The headquarters is nestled in the green
countryside of the Emilian Apennines. We are in Pontecchio Marconi, less than
five kilometres from Sasso Marconi. A fraction that owes its name to the Latin
word ponticulum. Because here a small
bridge allowed you to cross a ditch and reach the church. Over time, however, that
small bridge has grown much larger. It was in these lands that Guglielmo
Marconi invented the wireless telegraph, creating the great bridge of the radio,
which connects the farthest shores of the world. But that bridge that connects
different worlds also extends to Bierrebi, which today has a factory covering 7,000
square metres, employs 45 employees and operates in 5 continents and in 30 countries.
The main markets are Central and North America, managed by a subsidiary based
in Florida. Then there is another subsidiary for the Asian market, precisely in
Coimbatore, in southern India. In 2022, this glocal excellence - roots anchored
to the community and the ability to scale interest, markets, turnover - will
close at around 18.5 million euros, marking a + 15% compared to the previous
year. «An important reference for our area also from an employment point of
view, also because we continue to hire many young people. And then we operate
all over the world alongside customers, trying to satisfy their production
needs. We keep the machines in perfect working order, replacing those that are
most obsolete and supplying those for the expansions of new factories. At the
moment there are plans to expand customers in Bangladesh», says Virlinzi.
Human and technological capital. There is a lot of
technology in the machines. And then an obsessive attention to energy
consumption. A synthesis between attention to detail and industrial production.
«As we like to say, industrial craftsmanship is done here: we make large, heavy,
complex machines that carry considerable technology. Human capital for us is
everything: fitters, rectifiers, mechanical designers, software programmers, warehouse
workers, buyers, production planners, salespeople, transfer agents for
assistance. Everyone works with a team spirit and unrivalled application», says
Virlinzi. And then there is the element of integration, and
therefore of customisation. «We design unique machines that do not exist and
that are difficult to reproduce. We do a lot of research and development, investing
6% of the turnover and we have a lot of active patents. For years, our large
customers have been asking us to integrate our machines with their systems. This
is why we design automated, user-friendly machines that are easy to use and
handle», concludes Virlinzi. The future is made of diversification of the
product range. And then of technology linked to environmental sustainability. Because
we are all called to do our best for a better world.
https://podcast.confindustriaemilia.it/
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