Cutting-edge technology and customer-centricity: the evolution of Coesia
Alessandro Parimbelli, CEO of Coesia: "Ever more integrated and flexible lines to minimize challenges."
Davide Miserendino
Designing the automation of the future by enhancing today’s solutions: this is Coesia’s mission, supported by significant investments and a strong vision. At Pack Expo Chicago, the Bologna-based group, which includes 20 companies operating in 36 countries and specializing in highly innovative industrial and packaging solutions, took center stage. Its booth - a sleek, chrome, red, and white “arena” reminiscent of the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture by Anish Kapoor, a symbol of Chicago, also known as The Bean - was among the most admired and visited at the event. “These circular elements reflect companies that were once separate but are now part of one group, with the customer at the center,” explained Coesia’s CEO, Alessandro Parimbelli.
Parimbelli, what strategies is Coesia employing in key markets like North America?
“Our strategy focuses on addressing customer demands for integrated, easy-to-use lines capable of solving their challenges - lines that are more agile than those of the past. For example, Norden has introduced the highly flexible NCE 14, a carton-forming module integrated with the NTP 80, a box and tray filler that now supports bottles as well as tubes. Additionally, Norden presented the NCS 14, a module designed to seal pre-filled cartons. R.A. Jones also showcased significant innovation with its Celestion™ MTX top-load packaging platform, offering exceptional flexibility and addressing common issues seen with traditional machinery. Worth mentioning, PWR, a company in which we recently acquired a stake and are progressively integrating into the Coesia family, presented its robotic SmartLine 2Cell solution. Meanwhile, Volpak, through its Enflex brand, launched the PH-28 horizontal pouch packaging machine, designed to further strengthen our position in the pharmaceutical industry”.
A recent study by PMMI (The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies) revealed that U.S. buyers perceive Italian and European packaging machinery manufacturers as leaders in innovation and quality. What’s your take on this?
“Broadly speaking, European companies are indeed more technology focused. However, U.S. companies are ahead in customer-centricity. They continue to grow by delivering precisely what their customers need, often through more standardized solutions. This contrast highlights a key point: in Europe, our love for technology sometimes overshadows our understanding of real customer needs. For instance, in the ‘services’ segment, which is critical for U.S. customers, European companies are making strides but don’t excel. To address this gap, Coesia established a North American hub for all its companies, managed by R.A. Jones, renowned for its customer service excellence. Finally, while it’s essential to drive innovation, we must ensure that the chosen technology addresses customer needs, which should always come first”.
Your presence in Chicago was marked by the slogan "Automation Evolution." What does it mean?
“It refers to automation that is increasingly designed to serve customers by solving their problems. For instance, we recently launched FlexLink’s RC12, a collaborative palletizer capable of handling loads of up to 10 kg, with speeds of up to 8 boxes per minute, or 14 with dual-pick functionality. This mixed-case palletizer can organize boxes in random sequences from a line and assemble an optimized pallet. Performing such a task manually would be challenging and pose safety risks, especially when constructing a three-dimensional ‘tetris.’ Remarkably, this process is achieved in less than 10 sq. m., with a 50% smaller footprint than industrial robots, without fencing, cages, or barriers, allowing operators to safely work alongside the collaborative robot. Achieving this required advanced AI techniques, as traditional algorithms were no longer sufficient”.
To continue developing cutting-edge solutions, you recently established the Robotic Lab in Bologna. What is its role?
"The Robotic Lab represents a significant investment, bringing together a team of young professionals. These talented individuals are encouraged to pursue their innovative visions while also enhancing existing development lines, integrating them with fresh approaches".
