Insight

With bold vision and significant investments, Bontempi Vibo, a front runner in the fastener industry, is set to double its production capacity by 2027 – using strategic investments for a stronger growth whilst maintaining the correct balance between quality, service and price.

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 FRAM and then Mi.Me.Af, our production range has expanded significantly, now ranging from 2.5mm to 64mm in diameter and up to one metre in length.”

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

He continues: “All these investments were not aimed at saving money, but were made to help us save time during production 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 enabled us to increase our capacity, have also meant we can to introduce new product ranges,” underlines Raoul. “In addition, we have introduced other new machinery, including two shot stamping machines for smaller screws.”

Raoul continues: “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 plant in southern Italy.”

Bontempi Vibo also has further investments planned, including the doubling of the plant in Rodengo Saiano. “In recent years we have made very important investments, which will continue in the future,” reports Vittoriano Calomeni, general manager of Bontempi Vibo. “We have now approved investments to double our plant in Rodengo-Saiano. We will also order a new heat treatment line, the fourth one, and some additional moulding machines. At the end of this investment period, we will be able to produce 45,000 tonnes of screws by 2027, doubling the production capacity of the last ten years.”

New ranges in every size

In addition to its production capacities, Bontempi Vibo has sought to develop its product range to meet customers’ 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 portfolio 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 also supply special items, standard and non, according to drawings; hot-forged screws from diameter M20 to M64 – in lengths up to 1 metre; plus special items with Mi.Me.Af, which is also IATF 16949 certified. We are therefore able to supply our product range, standard and special, from M3 to M64.”

Pietro Bontempi adds: “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 to diameter M64 and we are keen to grow this market in the future. As a company, we are always taking care of customer needs and planning to introduce several more product lines later this year. To name a few of the latest ranges, we have in stock the 14399 both raw and hot dip galvanised packed in kit form and in the coming months we will have the 15048 available.”

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,” states Raoul Bontempi. “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, which we use with all our customers,” emphasises Vittoriano. “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.”

He adds: “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 introduce a reorganisation of its management and sales department. Andrea Bontempi, HR and sustainability manager at Bontempi Vibo, 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.”

Andrea continues: “With this goal in mind, we have redesigned Bontempi Vibo’s approach from a managerial standpoint. We firmly believe that in order to reach 45,000 tonnes in the next three years, we need to adopt an approach to business administration that is more marked by a managerial imprint. In this regard, a reorganisation project is under way to support the organic growth of our reality. We pursue the goal of developing the company and with it the people who work there, convinced that they are the real engine of the growth itself.”

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 acquisition.”