Insight

Amidst geopolitical tensions and the challenges of an uncontrollable market, Kilton is helping to ‘bring manufacturing home’ with a focus on quality products and a flexible service.

Since it was founded in 1976, Kilton has produced both standard and special fasteners based on its customers’ needs, especially when it comes to the increasingly varied and challenging applications they face. Kilton Srl explains: “We actively collaborate with companies across all sectors and markets. From technical consultancy to the study of the cost-effectiveness of a process, we work together with our customers to propose credible solutions for a variety of applications. Our passion is responding to customers’ needs and this brings us new opportunities to offer savings in both product management and inventory management.”

Kilton’s flexibility and commitment to meeting the requirements of its customers, regardless of how niche or specialist, has enabled it to stand out from its competitors. “When we started our business there was a lot of competition within the European market and we quickly decided to focus on ad hoc solutions and meeting small quantity requirements. Then, when the market moved towards Asia, we dedicated ourselves to offering niche standard products – available from stock. When customers find themselves without material, such as in 2021/22, they realised the risks of sourcing products from the other side of the world,” underlines Kilton. “By focusing on these areas, as well as developing the services we can provide customers, we have been able to establish ourselves as a highly valued manufacturer based in Europe.”

Kilton’s operations are located in the south of Milan, with the business running across three separate units – covering 5,000m². “Today, all of our machinery uses advance systems and we are able to control every process during production to minimise the chances of errors or waste. Thanks to the technical expertise we have within the business, we are able to produce high-quality products that reach design and production standards in compliance with international regulations.”

Kilton continues: “Quality and reliability are keywords for us. We have never cut corners or saved on raw material, equipment or contractors. Kilton is a solid reliable partner that has reached high design and production standards in compliance with Italian and international regulations. For this reason we also have customers beyond the borders of the European market. Having Kilton in your production chain means having a technical partner that is able to offer simple and effective solutions that can be produced and stored within Europe for quick delivery.”

“Saying ‘Made in Italy’ today can sometimes mean ‘assembled in Italy’. For Kilton, ‘Made in Italy’ means 100% ‘Made in Italy’, as well as a belief in our country, our people and in future generations. We are, of course, in the world of robots but specialised labour is still needed to assemble a moulding or threading machine. In our sector, secondary processes have been automated, more for image than for real necessity and it must be remembered that automation also causes the loss of skills and abilities.”

Kilton concludes: “We are looking ahead making sure not to be left behind. Customers need to be able to live without the anxiety of products not arriving for a variety of reasons. Kilton is the solution, with sales and technical staff available to answer every industry need.”