Michela: Hi Gianmarco, first of all congratulations! With the start of the new year, you took on the role of R&D Manager. What was your professional path that led you to this goal?
Gianmarco: Thank you, Michela, I’m really excited about this opportunity. To tell the truth, it is a return to a task that has always been dear to me. I’ll briefly tell you about my career: I joined Imesa in 2001, so 24 years ago, as Quality and Environment Manager, because this position among many had opened up. I had previous experience in this field and, seeing the company committed to obtaining important certifications such as Vision 2000, I gladly accepted. This role has allowed me to have a 360° vision, also contributing to the restructuring of company procedures, moving from a functional logic to a process one.
Subsequently, I also dedicated myself to safety, alongside the then Health and Safety Officer. Since 2005/2006 I have been working on products, supporting our Mechanical Design department in the various projects in development, initially coming into contact with the ENEL world and following the laboratory tests for certifications and approvals that IMESA has obtained in these twenty years (among the main ones the new Miniver-C, the Jeko 32). I also actively contributed to the industrialization phase of IMESA, contributing to the development of the semi-automatic line for Medium Voltage Primary Distribution. It was an intense and formative period in particular on the logic of Lean Manufacturing.
Michela: You spent a lot of time in the workshop and you also held the role of Production Manager. Now, you are back on the front lines, leading a team of four persons. A lot is expected of you. Are there any new projects or technologies that you will focus on in the coming months?
Gianmarco: Of course! One of the most ambitious projects is the development of GAS-free solutions, facing the epochal challenge linked to the SF6 phase-out. We are identifying innovative and sustainable alternatives to ensure high performance in compliance with environmental regulations and we will need a lot of collaboration and creativity to bring this ambitious project to fruition, but we are confident about the outcome.
Another key project concerns the approval of the primary distribution panel intended for ENEL, another strategic step to consolidate our presence in the national market and achieve our. MINIVER-C switchgear version with 36 kV insulation voltage.
Finally, I think it is also appropriate to upgrade our MCC switchboard with pull-out drawers, improving its efficiency and performance to meet the needs of the most demanding customers.
Michela: There is really a lot to work on, they seem to me to be ambitious projects and important challenges, which require great commitment and strategic vision.
Gianmarco: Absolutely, Michela. Innovation is essential to differentiate ourselves from our competitors. It is not only a matter of improving existing products, but also of developing new solutions capable of anticipating market trends and responding to customer needs. I must say that Imesa’s business context has received a strong push in this direction with the entry of the new CEO Marco Achilli. This motivated us further.
In addition, I know that I can count on valid collaborators, with whom I have the privilege of returning to work and in whom I have deep esteem and trust. We are ready and tested!
Michela: You can clearly feel all your enthusiasm and with the projects you told us about, it seems that the R&D department is really driving change in the company.
Gianmarco: That’s right. Each project represents a challenge that allows us to push our limits, to innovate and to establish ourselves as a protagonist in the sector. Obviously, I have already identified some areas for improvement, such as communication between departments, and I am working to strengthen internal collaboration by always giving the maximum availability to those who need my help. I am convinced that together we can achieve great results.
Michela: Thank you, Gianmarco. Your words convey passion and determination. We all wish you all the best for this new professional chapter!
Gianmarco: For my part, I also thank everyone, I have always felt welcomed and appreciated by both colleagues and the Schiavoni family and I feel like I am at home, this pushes me to work even harder for the success of Imesa and the whole team.