Between family legacy and youthful spirit: with feet on the ground and eyes on continuous improvement, building the future of Imesa
Michela: Filippo, how long have you been working at Imesa and what has been your journey up to your current role?
Filippo: My journey at Imesa began in 2016, in the workshop department dedicated to SF6 technology, under the guidance of Francesco Silvi. At that time, I was working on the earth switches for the DY800, later moving on to controls and wiring. After this initial experience, I shifted to company planning, a role that allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the internal flows between design, purchasing, and production.
Over time, I had the opportunity to follow several continuous improvement projects, and it was exactly in that context that I discovered my true passion: developing and optimizing production and organizational processes, with a focus on efficiency and quality.
Today, I am Program Manager for Secondary Medium Voltage Distribution, a business unit that this year will reach a turnover of around 13–14 million euros, marking a significant increase compared to the previous year.
Michela: Your last name is Schiavoni, and you chose to begin your career in the workshop. Why did you make this decision?
Filippo: Precisely because I carry such an important surname, I immediately felt the responsibility to build my own space, without shortcuts. I chose to start in the workshop to test myself in the field, just like any other colleague.
That experience taught me a lot: the importance of manual work, precision, and the value of direct relationships. That was the moment I truly began to understand what it means to be part of Imesa, with my hands on the product and my eyes on the whole process.
Michela: You are young and represent the third generation in the company. What role do you think young people have today?
Filippo: A fundamental role. Young people bring enthusiasm, fresh ideas, and also a different way of looking at things. I believe it’s important to give them space, listen to them, and put them in the position to truly contribute. Moreover, our CEO, Marco Achilli, is investing a lot in young people: we are working to create a community where they can feel actively involved, valued for who they are, and not only for who they have yet to become.
I myself feel the responsibility to be a point of reference for those who are joining the company today. Growing within Imesa means living every day in balance between what has been built with passion over time and what still needs to be created. As a young person, I feel fortunate to have a solid company behind me, made up of strong values and competent people, but at the same time, I feel a duty to bring new ideas, diverse energy, and a vision for the future.
I don’t want to simply “take over a legacy”: my goal is to help transform it, step by step, staying true to the company’s identity but with a modern approach, open to change.
Michela: I imagine it has not always been an easy task…
Filippo: I won’t deny that at the beginning there was a bit of skepticism toward me, which is understandable when you carry a name so closely tied to the history and identity of the company. I also felt the constant need to prove something extra.
Over time, through daily work and constant dialogue with my colleagues and my team, I found my place, building relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
In family-run companies like ours, there’s no distance between people, no rigid hierarchies: there’s closeness, listening, humility, and a strong collective drive to do well.
Michela: In your operational role, how do you see today’s approach to projects compared to the past?
Filippo: Today, work is more integrated and cross-functional. LEAN techniques, which mean “doing more with less,” and which I have studied in depth, obtaining three certifications, are a valuable guide in building leaner, more effective, and customer-focused processes.
Right now, we are working on a new production line for secondary medium voltage panels, designed to be automated and entirely LEAN-oriented. It’s a very ambitious project, but also extremely stimulating.
I really enjoy this kind of challenge because it combines technology, methodology, and vision.
Michela: Your sector, Medium Voltage for Secondary Distribution, is undergoing a profound transformation. What are the challenges for the future?
Filippo: The sector is constantly evolving, and we are also working to keep up. In particular, we are committed to developing a new SF6-free product, completely free of greenhouse gases, in line with increasing environmental sustainability demands and the most recent European regulations.
At the same time, we are investing in increasingly efficient, digitalized, and quality-oriented processes. Our goal is to achieve operational excellence, which for me is not just a milestone to reach, but a real philosophy of doing that guides every daily choice.
Michela: It’s clear how much you believe in the strength of the group. You often promote team-building moments even outside working hours. What motivates you?
Filippo: A lot! For me, human connection is what truly makes the difference. I love creating opportunities to laugh together, unwind, and share moments that go beyond work: a dinner, a five-a-side football match, a spontaneous aperitif… it all builds team spirit!
I believe that when people feel good together, everything works better: you work with more enthusiasm, help each other more, and feel part of something special. The team always comes first: it’s our real strength.
And let’s be honest, having fun together is the best way to build a team!
Michela: Thank you, Filippo. We wish you all the best!