From Castel Maggiore to over 70 branches across Italy. The story of ADHR Group illustrates a business model rooted in Emilia’s culture of local connections, which has grown into a nationwide organisation. Today, the Group is targeting a turnover of €200 million by investing in AI-integrated technology and guided by a firm belief: the future of work is built by bringing together technology, skills and relationships. For FARE INSIEME, Giampaolo Colletti interviewed Elisabetta Bressan, General Manager of ADHR Group
by Giampaolo Colletti
@gpcolletti
Photocredit: Giacomo Maestri e Francesca Aufiero
In Emilia, where a strong work ethic and a spirit of collaboration have gone hand in hand for generations, relationships are also a driving force behind the economy. There are companies searching for talent and talent waiting to be discovered. Skills to develop, opportunities to create, gaps to bridge. And some have made a career out of bringing these two worlds together - or ‘matching’ them, to use industry jargon. This is what happened in Castel Maggiore, on the outskirts of Bologna, where the story of ADHR Group began. What started out as an entrepreneurial vision grew into a nationwide organisation with over 70 branches, while maintaining strong local ties. Today, it faces a new challenge: bringing artificial intelligence into human resources without losing the human touch that no algorithm can replicate. The ability to recognise the value of people.
Company profile. “The decision to establish our headquarters here was no coincidence. This region has a strong entrepreneurial culture and a remarkable capacity to create jobs. Growing here has taught us the importance of staying close to businesses and listening to local needs,” this is how Elisabetta Bressan, General Manager of ADHR Group, describes it. Companies need people. People need opportunities. Yet these two worlds, seemingly so close on paper, often struggle to connect. Skills are essential, of course. However, above all, what is needed is the ability to listen, knowledge and trust. “We witnessed the emergence of the recruitment agency market in Italy and realised there was room for a different approach: one that was closer to businesses, more attentive to people and built on mutual trust,” Bressan recalls. ADHR was founded on this belief. A project that embodies a defining feature of Emilia's entrepreneurial spirit, i.e. the ability to create value through relationships. Because here, strong local connections are part of everyday life. It means knowing companies, understanding their production cycles and identifying the skills they need. It means recognising that behind every job vacancy lies a personal story, an ambition and, sometimes, a second chance. And it is often the stories unfolding behind the scenes that help explain the true value of this work. Then there's manufacturing, where finding the right technical expertise can make the difference between bringing production to a standstill and driving growth. There is healthcare, where the search for qualified professionals intersects with society’s need for care. Then there's training, which can turn untapped potential into real career opportunities. And the figures show just how successful this approach has become. Today, ADHR has a workforce of almost 300 people, 75% of whom are women. More than 8,000 workers have been placed with client companies. But the story continues, with a plan to double the workforce through organic growth and potential acquisitions. This is the point at which a company’s growth story raises a crucial question: how can a business grow without losing its close connections? “We continue to invest in the people who work directly with companies and candidates every day, maintaining a streamlined organisation with strong local ties. “Many of those now in leadership roles have worked their way up within the Group,” says Bressan. Professional development becomes part of business growth. Knowledge is passed on, responsibilities increase and the organisational culture is carried forward across generations. A model that seeks to preserve its human dimension even as the organisation grows.
A business in transition. Meanwhile, the world of work is changing rapidly, along with people's expectations and the way they communicate. Artificial intelligence is entering recruitment processes, analysing CVs, matching skills and accelerating decision-making. This raises a question for the entire sector: how far should technology go when people's careers and futures are at stake? ADHR's answer is Hmoon Workspace, its new proprietary digital platform. The platform brings together processes, data and services, covering everything from recruitment and training to document management and administrative tasks. An ecosystem in which AI helps simplify day-to-day work. But the boundary remains clear. “Artificial intelligence can make suggestions, analyse information and provide support, but the final decision must remain in human hands. Because behind every CV, every recruitment process and every career path is a person, and people cannot be reduced to an algorithm,” Bressan emphasises. And this brings the story back to its origins. Back to an Emilia built on relationships, trust developed over time and the ability to work as a team. Because, even in the age of intelligent platforms, the ability to understand needs, recognise potential and identify opportunities remains essential. Emilia has taught us this for generations: businesses thrive when the relationships that hold them together grow stronger.
https://podcast.confindustriaemilia.it/
Read the other interviews
