AANNNOOOTTTHHHEEERRR ... - Berco S.p.A

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Contents Editorial DESTINED FOR RELENTLESS GROWTH The development path Front page ANOTHER POSITIVE YEAR First details of the financial year ending 30th September 2001 Environment FAREWELL OLD LANDFILL! The new landfill nears completion New technologies A NEW DESIGN SYSTEM The evolution of the CAD design system Inside Berco NEARLY 20,000 HOURS OF TRAINING Berco’s continued commitment to the professional growth of its human resources Flash News Dr Cromme returns to Berco “Mr Koch’s “Silver Anniversary” Ctz visits the Copparo factory Marketing corner THE “BERCO MERCHANDISE” PROJECT GETS OFF THE GROUND Trade fairs Germany, EMO 2001 Brazil, M&T EXPO 2001 Greece, 1st Construction Machinery Russia, 5th Russian International Auto Salon Dealer News Berco News Berco News is a three monthly magazine published in italian and english for the employees, customers, suppliers and friends of the Company. Photos and articles, including excerpts, may be reproduced with the written permission of the editor and provided due reference is made to BercoNews. Cover photo: the new landfill Contributors to this issue: G. Bertoni, E. Bacilieri, S. Salvi, F. Santinato, D. Mingozzi, C. Lambertini, S. Di Mauro, B. Guandalini Publisher: BERCO S.p.A. Marketing & Communication Department Via 1° Maggio - 44034 Copparo (Ferrara) Italy tel. +39 0532 864431 - fax +39 0532 864259 e-mail: marketing@berco.com Editor: Giovanni Micheletto tel. +39 0532 864116 - fax +39 0532 864259 - e-mail: gim@berco.com Copy: Marketing & Communication Department Art editor: Silvia Ungaro Photos: Antonio Bertacchini and others Printing: SIACA ARTI GRAFICHE Circulation: Italian 4,500 - English 3,000 2 3 4 6 8 9 10 10 12 2 Editorial DESTINED FOR RELENTLESS GROWTH The development path One of the theoretical laws of economics, confirmed in the real world, explains that: "In an environment of growing competitive pressure, only those companies able to maintain a level of growth which is greater than the average of the sector in which they operate are destined to survive". The 80 plus years’ of Berco’s history are more than a confirmation. This confirmation comes once again with the recent closure of the business year, despite the heavy recession across world markets. Although Berco had a more modest growth rate than in previous years, we are still growing, and have grown more than the market in global decline, and more than the competition. Once again Berco has been able to show its ability to create the profit margins needed to feed its growth, carry out large-scale investments and satisfy the demands of the workers and shareholders. All of this does not happen by chance: "To be a market leader you must always be one step ahead of the competition, both in terms of product range, personnel and technology”. And once again the Berco history, especially the most recent one, confirms this. The Berco product range is the most complete in the market, and despite this, Berco continues to introduce new products and to innovate our existing ones. This includes, but not limited to, the investments made in the innovation of production methods, continuous training for the personnel, the acquisition of new technologies, robots, machine tools, and the Maxi Press among others. This process cannot be stopped, and despite people’s disbelief it will not stop, even now in this difficult and unpredictable time for the market. We will continue to follow this strategic path with our usual commitment, and above all with the calmness of those who understand their targets and are certain of being able to reach them. And of course, “it is in the rough sea that you see the good boats!” G. Bertoni, Berco Managing Director
ECONOMIC TRENDS Despite the obvious slowdown of the world economy and its markets in the first few months of this year, the fiscal year that closed on September 30th 2001 highlighted the further expansion of our company. Sales have reached 360 million Euro, with an increase of 6.5% with respect to the previous year. The opening of new markets, the increase in production volumes and the favourable exchange rates have all contributed positively to this result. The economic and financial situation appears to be very satisfactory; profit margins continue to be consolidated. The profit forecasts for the business year just ended are in line with the budget forecasts, and slightly higher than the previous year. THE COMPANY OBJECTIVES We are therefore continuing along that impressive development path which has marked the life of our company over the past ten years. To give our readers an idea of the size of the changes, we can remember that: 1. With respect to the beginning of the 1990s, production volumes have more than doubled, and the sales have practically tripled; 2. Over the past ten years investments in technologies worth 300 million Euro have been made, a figure which has been completely financed by the company itself (through company cash flow); 3. Since 1995 we have taken on more than 2,000 new employees, to cover both the natural staff turnover and to provide the resources needed for growth. Today the company has about 3,000 employees (and around 100 of these have university degrees and qualifications in a variety of technical and economic subjects). Over the years the company policy has been oriented to the introduction of new technologies and the widening of the product range. We have paid particular attention to economies of scale, playing on the stimulation of market demand and the increase in production through new investments, as well as new employment. This approach will continue to be used in the medium term company strategy, with the aim of maintaining our leadership position in the market. THE FUTURE In spite of these positive results, recent economic developments at world level have made it necessary to give serious thought to the situation that the company will have to face in the future. Increasing fears of a coming recession have already overwhelmed the financial markets. The dramatic acts of terrorism in the USA together with fears regarding the start of new conflicts, with MILLION EUROS 400 350 300 250 390 310 TOTAL SALES 405 338 430 360 452 370 474 385 496 390 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Berco Berco Group 3 Berco News Front page ANOTHER POSITIVE YEAR First data of the fiscal year 2000/01 unforeseeable consequences, have heightened the instability of the macroeconomic system. The activities aimed at reaching an increasingly higher level of efficiency and continuos cost reduction become even more important now if we want our products to continue to be competitive in the market. On the other hand, during the 1990’s our company achieved an undoubted competitive advantage. Plenty of technology and know-how stemming from company investments, the professional growth of our human resources, together with the variety of products and the solid nature of our economic and financial situation cannot be found in any other company operating in our field either in Italy or the rest of the world. Therefore, we are sure that we have the necessary commitment and reliability to face new, ambitious projects and to guarantee continuity in our business relations with our most demanding partners. Dr E. Bacilieri Administrator Director
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AANNNOOOTTTHHHEEERRR ... - Berco S.p.A

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