Insight

Bontempi Vibo has launched a new five year strategic plan that, added to the major investments just completed and ongoing within the company, will allow it to double its production capacity by 2028. With this growth focused on maintaining the correct balance between quality, service and price – features that have always been distinctive for VIBO.

Raoul Bontempi, CEO of Bontempi Vibo SpA, explains: “As a company we want to grow and to do this we have to further develop our production and the way we manage each stage of the process. This has led us to make investments in key aspects of our processes and to make strategic acquisitions to increase our product portfolio. With the acquisition of first FRAM and then Mi.Me.Af., our production range has expanded significantly – now ranging from 2.5mm – 64mm in diameter and up to 1m in length.’

A prime example of this investment plan is the new heat treatment line at the company’s southern plant. “Two years ago we built a building adjacent to our southern plant and in the new building we introduced new packaging machinery, as well as adding an electrolytic galvanising line, so that we could also bring this process in-house to be able to reduce production lead times and increase product quality,” mentions Raoul.

Raoul continues: ‘All these investments are not aimed at saving money, but were made to help us save time during the production process and ensure a key aspect of the process, which is crucial in today’s market.”

In addition to the investments undertaken with the third heat treatment line, Bontempi Vibo has also invested in new machinery that has allowed the company to double its screw production from M5 to M12 already this year. “These new machines, which have allowed us to increase our capacity, have also enabled us to introduce new product ranges,” explains Raoul. “In addition, we have also introduced two-shot stamping machines for smaller screws.”

Raoul adds: “We have also built a new compact warehouse in Calabritto, which will add another 1,000 pallets to our storage capacity. Just a few years ago we doubled our central warehouse to 18,000 pallet spaces, but with the addition of the compact warehouse we can provide a more efficient service to customers – by shipping full truckloads from the south.”

Bontempi Vibo also has further investments planned, including the doubling of its plant in Rodengo-Saiano. “In recent years we have made very important investments and this will continue in the future,” says Vittoriano Calomeni, general manager of Bontempi Vibo. ”By the end of the year we will approve investments to double our in Rodengo-Saiano plant. We will also order a new heat treatment line and some additional moulding machines. At the end of this investment period, we will be able to produce 45,000 tonnes of screws, doubling the production capacity of the last ten years by 2026.”

New ranges in every size

In addition to its production capacities, Bontempi Vibo has sought to develop its product range to meet customer needs.  Pietro Bontempi, head of new business development at Bontempi Vibo, and son of Raoul, focuses on serving new customers and selling the new products that are introduced to the range. “We have such a wide range that sometimes our customers are not fully aware of what we can offer. For example, we are the only manufacturer in Europe to offer standard stainless steel fasteners. We can supply special hot forged screws from diameter M20 – M64 in diameter – in lengths up to 1m and special items with Mi.Me.Af (which is IATF certified). We are therefore able to supply our product range, standard and special, from M3 – M64.”

Pietro continues: “Another range we are investing in is the production of studs, which was introduced to the company after the integration of the FRAM business. Again, the range is available from diameter M20 – M64 in diameter and we are keen to grow this market in the future. As a company, we are always attentive to customer needs and plan to introduce several more product lines later this year, which will be available in all sizes.”

By further increasing its capabilities and product range, Bontempi Vibo intends to increase the amount of purchases from existing customers and attract new customers. “We want to be the first supplier every bolt distributor in Europe thinks of when they want to buy a bolt. That is our goal,” says Raoul. “We are confident that in the future many European distributors will choose us to avoid the risks associated with imports and other hidden costs (CBAM and other environmental issues). We are a very reliable European supplier for our customers and there will always be a need for reliable European suppliers in the market.”

Focus on distributors

A key part of Bontempi Vibo’s business is its philosophy to serve only distribution customers, without reaching the end user. “This is a very important statement for us,” Vittoriano emphasises. “We guarantee our customers that we will never compete with them in the acquisition of an end customer. Some customers have been working with us for more than 60 years and know that we can provide a full range of products
and services to meet every need. This allows us to be a partner for the largest distributors.”

“As we have seen from the trade war between China and the USA, with both introducing duties on a wide range of incoming products, it is important that in a global market we all compete on the same level. We believe that the EU will soon have to start thinking and acting in the same way, and with our investments we are ready to meet the needs of the market.”

Organisational restructuring

After so much investment within the company, it was necessary for Bontempi Vibo to review its business plan, production and future objectives, as well as introduce a reorganisation of its management and sales department.

Paolo Cola, Bontempi Vibo’s sales director, explains: “Through the continuous process of expanding our product range, we want to satisfy all our customers’ needs for bolts, including all the most popular categories and families. A key aspect in doing this is people, who are one of the most important resources within the company – because it is people who make it possible to achieve success.”

Paolo continues: “With this in mind, we have redesigned Bontempi Vibo’s approach from a managerial point of view. We strongly believe that to reach 45,000 tonnes in the next three years, we need every employee to act like a manager, so we are trying to transform the people we have in the office to act and think like managers. If you give people responsibility, they are happier doing their job; they also know what they have to do and they have the confidence to go and do it.”

Raoul concludes: “All the investments we have made in new buildings, new machinery, new products, and reorganisation, have been made with our own funds. It is my resources, my people, my family, my suppliers and my customers. We are on a journey and we want our employees, suppliers and customers to follow us and have confidence in Bontempi Vibo. We also make no secret of the fact that we always keep our eyes open for a possible takeover.”