INSPIRED FOR TUBE Job Shop 18
STL (Structural Tube Laser) is a third generation family business specialised in medium-heavy fabrication work. They have recently decided to make a major leap in the latest technology with the purchase of an LT Jumbo system manufactured by Adige Sys - the smallest company of the <strong>BLM</strong> group. XXL technology and ahead of the others We are in the famous north-eastern part of Italy and are welcomed by the three owners of the company: Mr. Angelo Mazzobel together with his two children, Kristian, an engineer and Giada, a Law graduate. The two children, in fact, represent the third generation active in the business. The father disappears soon and leaves his children to take us around this extremely interesting production facility. "The company was founded by our grandfather who started the business with the construction of tanks", says Giada "and afterwards, every generational change has brought about some change in direction the company has gone". Initially, the tanks were an innovative product, but things have changed and when Angelo completed his studies and joined the company taking the place of his father, he directed the activity towards medium-heavy fabrication work that is still an important part of the company’s turnover. STL has a total headcount of about ten people, including the owners. With Kristian and Giada entering the business, changes have definitely taken a turn towards and this time towards high technology. They decided to go <strong>for</strong> laser systems <strong>for</strong> cutting <strong>tube</strong>s with a diamtere up to 508 mm and thickness upto 16 mm. (Kristian admits using it on thicker <strong>tube</strong>s as well). "We want to carry <strong>for</strong>ward the concept and principles of a family business, growing of course, but maintaining the values that have brought us this far," says Giada, perhaps revealing the secret of the business philosophy that characterizes the model of Italian small and medium enterprises, that is quite often a subject of envy abroad. Aiming at the laser and export The strategy chosen by these young entrepreneurs to compete in the current market conditions are, on the one hand, to go abroad where presently 85% of their actual production is exported, and on the other hand, to push on the high technology (laser) combined with their acquired know-how and experience in the structural steelwork. "The market situation appears rather different <strong>for</strong> the two sectors; the heavy steel structural work shows signs of difficulty while laser processing clearly shows important potential <strong>for</strong> development" continues Giada. "I am referring to many different fields in which STL is able to provide solutions that include both laser cutting followed by assembly and welding; in other words, a finished product. For example, in the field of theme park equipment, an important job was carried out on behalf of a Slovak company manufacturing a roller coaster <strong>for</strong> Thailand. We are also very active in the solar energy sector, producing frames to support solar panels and in the pharmaceutical sector producing pipes <strong>for</strong> chemical plants." “Even off-shore plat<strong>for</strong>ms in the oil sector have used our special laser cutting services" adds Mr. Mazzobel. "For a contract with ENI-SAIPEM, lattice girders designed <strong>for</strong> laying gas and oil pipes on the seafloor were manufactured. In this sector, laser cutting is preferred on thick material. Precisely cut laser components of a structure can be easily assembled on site. Even Fincantieri and Naval Impianti, from the shipbuilding sector are our customers. We have cut 400x300 mm <strong>tube</strong>s with 16 mm thickness that are used as air intake ducts <strong>for</strong> the huge marine engines". In the Middle East we have ongoing negotiations in the hotel industry and urban furnishing in the UAE to manufacture sound barriers. In Italy "only" the water treatment and the pharmaceutical/chemical fields are really “active” and hence about 85% of the business turnover comes from abroad. Today, STL is processing an order <strong>for</strong> 1,400 tonnes of <strong>tube</strong>s coming from Chile by boat. The <strong>tube</strong>s will be used <strong>for</strong> the construction of the largest convention centre in the world located in Algeria. The construction company is Chinese, but as a part of contract obligation they had to manufacture the structural steelwork in Europe. It turned to STL where they found the know-how and the technology suitable <strong>for</strong> processing <strong>tube</strong>s of that size. "The “Made in Italy” brand is always an important business card," emphasises Giada. A far-sighted and focused choice The key to success is having associated heavy metal structures with highly innovative technology on medium to large sizes and having done this be<strong>for</strong>e others. "With the LT JUMBO system we have made a difference and can enter markets that were previously unthinkable <strong>for</strong> us, such as the production of machine tools," explains Kristian Mazzobel. INSPIRED FOR TUBE Job Shop 19
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