SIT-com

Acceleration by Stefano Lavorini

According to Wikipedia, the sit-com (situation comedy) is a form of comedy based on the representation of the emotional and social interaction of a limited number of characters immersed in a family environment, which viewers and spectators can easily identify themselves with.

Heat and electricity - The SIT-com which we refer to is somewhat different and has more to do with John Boenton Priestley’s definition: «The comedy, we could say, is society that protects itself with a smile». Garb, openness, joyfulness are in fact part of  the style of the family – of Simona Michelotti, her daughter Neni Rossini, Amedeo and Marta – but also the CEO Claudio Carattoni and all the co-workers that constitute the foundation and prospects of the SIT Group, based in San Marino, with all the determination and intelligence that obviously goes with it.

Busy doing and making. SIT aims at standing out in terms of a high level of excellence, which is why they have drawn up a strategic plan for 2012-2016, with the intention of having the concern grow along both internal and external lines. How? In the flexo printed packaging market, where the Group is present with Sarel Plast (PD), increasing production capacity and improving the service culture, in particular in terms of hygienic-sanitary controls, standardisation of quality, reliability in delivery times.And also including gravure printing, placing the onus on product specialisation and production sites. Which explains the building of a new works in San Marino, that will start operation in 2014.This year the group’s turnover, confirming a 2 digit growth trend, will be over 100 million Euros, but the objective for 2016 is to surpass 160 million. A program this, not only aiming at simple growth of the production and turnover in itself, but of  reaching a critical mass that would enable the internal development of an advanced management and organizational structure.

Speedy thought. The intent is to marry production efficiency with the capacity to relate at a global level with big multinational groups.Having constructed relations with customers who have supplier vetting procedures that last a year and who demand that converters have a panel of trained staff within the company to carry out olfactory tests on the material, are points that set them apart from other concerns operating in the sector. Carattoni on this count states: «I am convinced that all the big users are looking with growing interest towards packaging. Everyone over a certain level worries about risk assessment, and this favours the best-structured converters».And he adds:«In the customer-supplier chain, proceeding with common strategic projects makes more and more sense, and in this line of thinking one has to adopt innovatory systems for managing the supply chain. One now needs to reach beyond the mere administration per job in order to interface with different customers, carrying out cooperative planning where material on board machine is guaranteed. And we are making important investments in this area, where a special group comprising internal resources and external consultants is at work».

Will and accuracy. The new but also risky way of looking at the market  requires a clear view of things and a capacity to take on entrepreneurial risks. «It is so exciting I hardly think about it» Simona Michelotti confesses, and plays down the tough and ongoing commitment in research and other studies.«In these times it is a matter of navigating by sight and it is difficult to imagine how the world will change. This is why we want to have the tools to face this challenge. It’s a question of courage.

Mission possible. The SIT spirit, an example for many, is a mix of many factors, that has one central point: steadfastness. Which means keeping your word with everyone, employees or customers alike. «… Meaning that no one can blame SIT that someone is pulling their leg» Neni Rossini strives to state. «When we tell our employees that the our organization’s biggest concern is to ensure that the company continues to grow to guarantee everyone’s wellbeing, we fully believe in what we say. The true challenge today is to share with everyone – and we are 400 – the values with which we have built this concern. And this is why we strive to give clear messages as to “where” the company wishes to go, along with providing the “whys and wherefores” behind given choices».

Sharing the San Marino way. In this way SIT has been able to ask their skilled workers to make sacrifices. «For example – Carattoni explains – as of the first of September we will be working Saturdays and Sundays, because we are training people for the new works that will start up production and because we have work to deliver. A sacrifice certainly, but accompanied by the  pride, not only ours but everyone’s,  that even in a period of general difficulty the concern has taken on 50 people since the beginning of 2012 and is scheduled to take on another 100 in the coming 3 years.

Summing things up. It’s indeed true, as Simona Michelotti says, that «one needs to plan things out in life, otherwise you don’t make choices». And we add: an approach befitting steadfast, smiling people.