A story that
links the university and business worlds. We find ourselves in Modena, where a
spin-off was set up that has become a point of reference in the mechanical
engineering consultancy sector, a partner for businesses on the path towards
excellence. For FARE INSIEME, Giampaolo Colletti interviews Roberto Rosi, CEO
of Astra Research
by Giampaolo Colletti
@gpcolletti
Photocredit: Giacomo Maestri e Francesca Aufiero
One thing
leads to another. So only nice things can happen when ambition equals
dedication, perseverance and the wish to make a difference. After all, this is
the story of an entrepreneurial adventure consisting of four people who became
business partners after their PhD. A story that takes shape on those university
staircases that have been climbed thousands of times years before, come rain or
come shine, with your heart racing because of an exam or filled with joy for
the objectives achieved. We find ourselves in the east of Modena, in that area
home to universities and companies. This is the story of Astra Research, a
university spinoff of the Enzo Ferrari Department of Engineering at the
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
The
beginnings and the present. Everything started in January 2008, in the iconic
spaces that were an expression of a university committed to churning out
talents from scientific and managerial studies. Four young graduates embarked
on this adventure: Roberto Rosi, Matteo Giacopini, Andrea Salsi and Andrea
Baldini. All born between 1975 and 1977, and all with a degree in Mechanical
Engineering. “What started as an ambitious project grew and developed over 16
years of intense activity. Today, Astra Research is much more than a company,
it is an actual point of reference in the mechanical engineering consultancy
sector, a partner for businesses on the path towards excellence. We already had
contacts with a few businesses and we realised there was a considerable
discrepancy between what companies required and what we did at university,”
explains Roberto Rosi, CEO of Astra Research. From there came the choice to do
something concrete. The headquarters
cover over 500 sq m: a place where creativity and innovation combine, giving
life to engineering solutions that go beyond national borders and reach the
global scenario. Last year, the experimental department was extended with a
warehouse 500 m from the headquarters covering 600 sq m and featuring
everything from test benches to the acquisition of component data. “The beating
heart of our business is the brand-new research and development laboratory, a
place where ideas take shape, where research becomes tangible innovation,” says
Rosi. A proximity that is also physical with that university world that united
them. “We remained close to our university, just a stone’s throw away. It’s
like we never left it,” stresses Rosi. The team is made up of over 30
specialists with an average age of 33, all of whom boasting transversal skills
ranging from the automotive to the biomedical, earthmoving, hydraulic,
mechanical, aerospace, packaging, agricultural, pharmaceutical and food
sectors. A significant objective was reached in 2023 when the company exceeded
€2 million in turnover. “But this success does not only involve numbers, it is
the tangible result of the trust the main Italian players in the mobility and
manufacturing sectors place in us. We are proud of walking alongside these
excellence, contributing to shaping a future in the name of innovation and
solid partnerships. After all, each project is a story we write together with
our clients, a chapter that tells the story of challenges overcome and
objectives reached. Astra Research is an ally that emotionally commits to each
step we take together,” illustrates Rosi.
Breaking
down barriers. This is where the barrier between academia and company are
broken down, creating synergies that give life to unique and adaptable
solutions. “Over the years, we have cultivated and preserved our university
DNA, maintaining a direct connection with universities which is much more than
a simple collaboration, but a strong and meaningful bond. Every year, we
welcome many students working on their dissertations and entering our
eco-system, which represents a real added value because of their technical and
human baggage. Young graduates who stand out thanks to their value and passion
are offered not only the opportunity of entering the world of work, but actual
growth through a stable contract with a value that goes beyond the mere economic
aspect: the possibility of being involved in activities with international
companies adds a further layer of experience and professional growth,” stresses
Rosi with pride. That visceral connection with the land, an outpost for the
future, is highlighted further. “We have strong roots in our beloved Modena,
the cradle of passion and engines, that intertwine with the dreams that have
fascinated us since we were young. Cars were never just a dream, but a source
of incessant inspiration. The roaring of engines is the soundtrack to our
lives, the call of a passion that has been leading us since we took our first
steps. The story of Enzo Ferrari, the visionary man who challenged the world,
is a myth and an inspiration to us,” says Rossi. After all, the future is
tackled better thanks to those past masters who showed us the way.
https://podcast.confindustriaemilia.it/
Read the other interviews
