Plan, manage, optimize, digitize
Smart working and distance learning are doing well, hoping for a "V-shaped crisis"
Antonella Rioso, Marketing Communications Pilz Italia Srl (Lentate Sul Seveso, MB), global supplier of vertical automation solutions for security and control systems.
Functional to the chain of essential activities, Pilz also did not stop its activities during the lockdown. Thanks to the solid and little "leverised" capital structure, it has not activated social harmonizers for the moment. «We are aware of the fact that - intervenes Antonella Rioso - the explosion of the Coronavirus has entailed and will have serious consequences for everyone, including Pilz. However, in a context of high economic and financial unpredictability, we have organized ourselves to ensure effective monitoring of the planning, budgeting and reporting processes, leveraging above all on the optimization of cash flow and investments, favoring those in digital technologies» .
Moreover, the IT structure of Pilz immediately proved to be extremely advanced and well thought out even in dealing with personnel management during the pandemic: «The first problem faced was in fact to manage the concerns and difficulties experienced by the employees, some of whom come from the" red areas ". However, taking advantage of our IT structure, we can say that we have hit the accelerator in adopting smart working programs, even if we do not know if it will be a permanent measure. I would also like to emphasize the rapid adoption and dissemination of digitized training services. When the virus leaves us and we can go back to work with more peace of mind, the experience acquired in the field of smart working and distance learning will allow us greater efficiency in work and in the services to our customers».
Reassuring news also on the "supplies" front, although the closure of the Chinese factories at the beginning of the pandemic triggered understandable alarm bells. «Pilz has suppliers operating in different areas of the world; and then, on the strength of past experience with the 2008-2009 crisis, we have long since identified alternative sources for at least the most critical components, which has allowed us to face the new emergency without too many jolts in the delivery times of our products».
But what is the estimated impact of the Coronavirus emergency on production, turnover and orders? «Pilz expects a 12% drop in turnover and orders in Italy in the first half of the year, while in 2020 by 6%, but only if the health crisis stops by June. And we sincerely hope that this is a "V" crisis, as already happened in 2008-2009, when companies, especially the automation sector, were able to recover quickly within a year and a half. However, we do not believe we have lost market shares; indeed, thanks to our innovative spirit, we have continued to satisfy our client companies' thirst for innovation, typical of times of crisis, necessary to survive and maintain high competitiveness. The choices and technological investments undertaken in the past, as well as the convinced adherence to the themes of Industry 4.0, has meant that Pilz has transferred the concepts of innovation not only to its products but also to the production sites; and it is precisely thanks to the extreme digitalization of the processes that we believe we have the right flexibility to face the difficult times that lie ahead».
