Insight

Here Pietro Colombo, commercial director at Colombo Special Fasteners, offers his thoughts on how, with commitment, it is possible to transition to a sustainable future, whilst handling the impactful effects produced by economic activities every day.

The planet is facing unprecedented challenges that pose a threat to the wellbeing of future generations. With a constantly changing world, the extreme events that once felt far away are now part of a new reality that we cannot turn our backs on.

Colombo Special Fasteners (CSF), a leading Italian company in the manufacture of special fasteners, takes actions every day that are aimed at generating long-term value for the company – contributing to its growth, improvement and development; the socio-economic well-being of the communities in which it operates; as well as the other players that make up its value chain.

Sustainability for CSF means the constant and concrete commitment to promote a business model aimed at the efficient and strategic management of the resources available. That is why the company’s strategy is made up of small steps that gradually contribute to integrating sustainability into the way it operates and into its habit – laying the foundations for a real transformation of the company’s culture when it comes to sustainability.

CSF has set sustainability goals that it is looking to achieve by 2025, including the completion of a new eco-friendly production site with solar panels to help meet the company’s energy needs; a centralised fume extraction system for the benefit of employees and the working environment conditions; implementation of an oil recovery and cleaning plan, as well as waste reduction; digitalisation of the production departments by completely eliminating the use of paper; and finally the promotion of good habits and responsible management of resources in each department, such as reducing water, plastic and paper consumption.

Steps the Italian company has already taken include 42% of the company’s energy needs being covered by solar panels last year and 82% of contractors being located within a radius of 40km from the plant – creating environmentally and economically sustainable channels, as well as enhancing local businesses for mutual growth and in favour of an eco-friendly supply chain that consequently helps reduce road transport impact and times.

A series of other efforts and steps have also materialised due to CSF’s UNI EN ISO 14001:2015 certification, since 2008, which has been recognised in the implementation of the company’s policy.

A fundamental part of a good corporate culture starts with all those who form an integral part of it. Each of us, in addition to being part of a company, are part of society. The benefit of a series of sustainable actions is not only tangible in concrete aspects, such as the responsible use of resources by limiting waste, but also in other intangible aspects, such as well-being inside and outside the workplace.

The motivation of our employees is based on the harmony with the corporate objectives and values. Precisely for this reason, in small steps we promote solidarity actions that encourage them to give their best.

Another very important point to take into consideration is the possibility of relying on a regional and national system – aimed at encouraging and facilitating innovative projects in favour of the ecological transition, with subsidised loans and grants. For instance, the new CSF plant in Cisano Bergamasco, in the north of Italy, is currently undergoing a complete makeover and by the end of the year it will be completely eco-friendly and totally Industry 4.0 compliant. CSF is also building a new heat treatment plant – following the acquisition of the heat treatment company CITT – which will also be completely Industry 4.0 compliant. 

All these actions show that there is always an opportunity to contribute, we just have to find ways to do it. Even a small action can lead to a bigger goal.