Industry 4.0: a Bridge Across Generations

by Fabrizio Sasdelli, Assiot Managing Board

My many thanks go to my colleague Vanni Vitali, from whom I pick up the baton, for giving me the chance to speak about something dear to me and which, I believe, is fundamental to the future of all companies: synergy across generations. I am CEO in CIMA Ingranaggi, part of the Coesia group. CIMA specializes in the production of high performance gearing, being able to manage the entire production cycle, including that of thermal treatment. The fourth industrial revolution relies on the intimate knowledge of the digital devices that have become second nature to the Millenial generation – those who are less than 35 years old. But, what is nonetheless at the base of a successful company is staff know-how, how the company works and what client needs are, in short, company experience. Bringing together these two components, we began a programme of continuous improvement around 4 years ago, which has recently been included in the Lean Six Sigma Corporate programme. This project, with the normal requirements of new hiring, has brought in resources (typically mechanical and aeronautic engineers – currently 14 new graduates from a total of around 160 employees), covering all company departments. Each new employee has a specific reference point/ tutor in the manager of their department or directly in company administration.
The role is usually pertinent to business operations (more often than not with great impact both in company as well as with external clients) and participation in LSS projects, in tandem with colleagues and managers. The training programme foresees the reaching of the LSS Green Belt qualification, meaning all projects are managed with maximum integration into others of LSS Corporate. Thanks to the convergence of operative actions, the close collaboration with management, the training and responsibility taken under LSS projects, speedy integration is created between new recruits and more experienced colleagues. One of the most interesting programmes has concerned the updating of management systems, planned for 2019. The goal is to seize this chance to redefine company processes, imagining increasing digitalization and inter-connection across machinery, ERP and personnel. Industry 4.0 will require the ability to make radical change. Designed to be balanced but able to change embedded habits. We are convinced that the success of this transformation will depend on the motivation of all staff and the ability to create an atmosphere that will guarantee collaboration across generations.
I’m pleased to cede the floor to Lorenzo Cattini, CEO of Cattini & Figlio.