NUMBER 6

An important Cersaie preview. A modern and “ecological” factory which, at full production, will increase the company’s productive capacity by 50%, also giving the possibility of new products. It’s a mark of trust in the Reggio-Modena ceramic district and in the value of its labour force. A gala dinner was held at San Donnino for more than 900 guests.

Casalgrande Padana has anticipated the opening of Cersaie “in great style”. On 1st October in fact, the new factory was officially opened, an ultra-modern factory, equipped with the latest technology and which permits the production of innovative products, in terms of both technological and aesthetic conception, the first samples of which were presented at the Bologna trade fair.
These are the figures for the Casalgrande factory, already operative since September: 115,000 square metres (of which 35,000 are covered, and that will become 45,000 on completion of the project), full production of 6,500,000 square metres per year of every type of porcelain stoneware tiles, glazed and unglased, in many different sizes and types, with 2 kilns installed out of the planned 4; in the next 2/3 years, with the factory in full production, Casalgrande Padana’s productive capacity may increase by more than 50%.
There were 900 guests present at the opening: dealers and suppliers from all over the world, political and religious authorities, including the minister of relations with parliament, the Hon. Carlo Giovanardi, the president of the Province of Reggio Emilia, Roberto Ruini, the Mayor of Casalgrande, Luciano Branchetti, and the parish priest don Romano Messori, who blessed the structure. The traditional cutting of the ribbon solemnized the beginning of operations of a factory which – as the president Franco Manfredini mentioned in his greeting – is the most tangible proof of Casalgrande Padana’s vitality and today acquires very important significance. Above all the fact that it took place a few weeks after the events of 11 September. “Against those terrible acts of death and the refusal of all sense of progress and civility – affirmed the president – we present an example of a real work which creates employment and contributes to improve the quality of life”.
The introduction of such an innovative and large-scale factory in the Reggio-Modena ceramic district at this time is also a significant fact: “It’s a gesture of trust in the ability of the industrial district of Sassuolo-Casalgrande to maintain its position of world leadership developed over the years”. This emphasis was directed mainly at the politicians, whom the president reminded that ceramic entrepreneurs do not ask for privileges and financing without security, but “clear and simple laws, the certainty of the right and the guarantee of a level of infrastructure which in our area is currently insufficient”.
Sharing with all the guests his “joy and pride” in the new productive structure, the president reminded them that it’s an asset for the company but also for its employees and for the local area. Excellent working conditions in every department, the most evolved safety systems and protection from all health risks, dedusting machines, and water and waste material recycling present all possible guarantees both for the workers and for the protection of the external environment. “This factory” added the president, “is the well-deserved crowning achievement from 40 years of Casalgrande Padana activity celebrated last year”. In this period, the company has become one of the top 10/12 Italian tile producers, with particular leadership in the porcelain stoneware sector, maintained also after the introduction of all the major producers into this sector. Casalgrande Padana exports its products to 80 countries in the world; it has a turnover of ------ billion lire with growths in the last few years always above the sector average figures, without having acquired other brands or companies. The quality of the products, the reliability of, and continuity in its management, the low turnover of employees, the high level of trust achieved with the clientele, the spirit of belonging and affection, complete the picture of the “merits” of Casalgrande Padana as pointed out by the president Manfredini, who, in conclusion, reasserted his trust in the future of civilisation in the spirit of peace and work. Trust also in healthy, up-to-date companies which face the requirements of the market and users. Casalgrande Padana is certainly among such companies.
The great family of 900 guests then transferred to Villa Spalletti, in the San Donnino di Casalgrande hamlet, for a gala dinner experienced as a time of meeting and of sharing the successes and values “made by Casalgrande Padana”.

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