Bonfiglioli celebrates international milestone

Gearmotor and drive system producer Bonfiglioli has celebrated the manufacture of its millionth product at its EVO plant in Italy. The plant, opened in 2019 in the company’s hometown of Bologna, was developed as part of the company’s growth strategy and was designed to utilise Industry 4.0 principles.

Opening the year before the pandemic began, the plant has had to surmount the hurdles that came with it all while continuing to manufacture to its customers’ needs.

“Majority of manufacturing has taken place over the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been an uncertain and disruptive time for the global economy and global supply chains,” said Martin Broglia, Managing Director for Bonfiglioli Australia New Zealand, adding that the advanced EVO plant is an important concept for the company worldwide.

“This is something to celebrate — having enough international demand and team members to make this milestone happen.”

The EVO plant, EVO being short for evolution, has been built around energy efficiency and generates more power than it uses thanks to its reliance on renewable sources. This includes a 3 MW peak power photovoltaic plant that is mounted on the building’s roof and the awnings of the staff car park.

“The pressure is on corporates — particularly multinationals — to reduce their carbon emissions and contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. As a company comprising of more than 3800 staff globally and producing more than one million products per annum, our footprint is significant. This plant underlines our commitment to the environment and the future of automation.”

The two years it has taken to reach this milestone mean that the plant, which sends products around the world, represents the company’s philosophy of evolution, growth and improvement and the future holds promise for the plant as the world continues changing with the pandemic.

“Companies around the country are reshoring their manufacturing. Having reliable components, able to operate in real time is of particular importance,” Broglia said.