“Working with more than 1600 varnish codes of the most various colours, I can only see Italcoat as a 'colourful' environment.” Marco Iorio, Plant Manager, Italcoat

Italcoat is a part of Laminazione Sottile Group, specialized in aluminium transformation. The Group’s companies work in an integrated production chain and manufacture rolled aluminium products, in different alloys, dimensions and superficial treatments, including lacquering and printing, and aluminium food trays. Italcoat is involved in surface treatment and lacquering of aluminium coils. After an education in Mechanical Engineering and former experiences in SCA, leading company in the paper sector, and KME, manufacturer of copper and brass rolled products, Marco Iorio enterned the world of coated aluminium products in Italcoat as Plant Manager. Here is an excerpt from a brief interview with the passionate manager.

Describe briefly your education background and your work experience (before Italcoat)

Marco Iorio: I’m a Mechanical Engineer graduated at the university of Naples “Federico II” and through my previous work experiences I took an educational path much more managerial than technical. The former experiences allowed me to hold different roles also at European level, travelling a lot and achieving a full corporate vision. Yet, after working in a company in crisis, I realized how the passion for work and the teamwork can lead to incredible results.

Then you came to Italcoat: What does this company represent for you?

Marco Iorio: Italcoat is like my second home. Italcoat gave me the chance to take on more responsibility, to put in practice everything I learned from my previous experiences, due also to the trust and the autonomy the company accorded me. 

As Plant Director you personally participate in the productive activities of the company: how do you coordinate the development of production processes and the promotion of the employees’ professional growth?

Marco Iorio: First of all analyzing every day the achievements and setting the team priorities, conveying as much as possible a 360-degree view. I try also to promote the growth of my employees providing guidelines and constantly supporting them in dealing with possible critical situations. We always promote training activities and opportunities for interaction both in the classroom and on the production lines. In Italcoat it’s normal to take a break in order to discuss together about a qualitative problem, to conduct kaizen events and to adopt structured problem solving techniques.

What are usually the employees’ reactions to changes?

Marco Iorio: I like to imagine a factory as many entrepreneurs together, each one seeing it as his own, participating in its development and improvement. From the very first day of work in Italcoat I always tried to make some small improvements. I have to admit that it’s not easy to make them accepted, but I’ve learned that change is accepted only through the employee involvement. There is still a long way to go but looking back on the company, how it was 4 years ago, I see now a firmly  established group, thanks to the commitment of everyone.

What project are you most attached to? Why? What are the risks and difficulties you met during the planning and implementation?

Marco Iorio: The project “Standardization of the painting process“: this will allow us to make the qualitative leap. The project requires the involvement of everyone, sets working standards and guarantees the quality. It is also a very complex project because of the wide range of products we manufacture and the high number of variables: materials, process parameters and operations. The implementation of this project contributed, in three years, to reduce claims, increasing production yield of 5% and the overall performances.

Describe yourself using only an adjective (and why)

Marco Iorio: Positive! I always try to look on the bright side of things, also because I consider myself a very lucky person for what I have. This helps me to work better, to see problems as an opportunity, to be happier and constantly setting new goals for myself. I always try to spread positivity and optimism also to those who surround me. Yet, working with more than 1600 varnish codes of the most various colours, I can only see Italcoat as a “colourful” environment.

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What are your future goals?

Marco Iorio: Improving the quality standards and plant achievements further, focusing mainly on the growth of employees and the application of a Lean Manufacturing structured system. On the other hand, thinking strategically about the future development of Italcoat and, as a member of the Strategic Committee of Laminazione Sottile, contribute to the improvement of the entire Group.

Disclaimer: “The information presented herein is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional advice. The views and opinions shared in the interview section of www.alcircle.com are unique to the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of www.alcircle.com."