“At Metal World, we have implemented the same emergency measures applied by all Italian companies. First of all, we have deployed all the necessary actions to protect the health of our employees…
Franco Paviotti
owner, METAL WORLD (Pavia di Udine, Udine)
www.metalworld.it
- How are you reacting to this emergency?
“At Metal World, we have implemented the same emergency measures applied by all Italian companies. First of all, we have deployed all the necessary actions to protect the health of our employees, switching to smart working for all the departments and services that can use this solution effectively.
We have also established a direct link with the local Prefecture to carry on with some operations, based on the type of orders we are handling and the business categories of our customers, so that we can deliver to customers involved in the pharmaceutical and agrifood supply chains. We are among the lucky ones who can say that our company has never closed down, although business has slowed down significantly and we are only dealing with orders that comply with the current regulations… all of this while ensuring the strictest safety conditions”.
- What do you think is changing or will change radically?
“It’s hard to predict the full impact of this event now, but there will be major and many changes. Business relations will definitely change, as digital technology has proved that many activities can be carried out in a different way, cutting down on traveling, saving time, money and effort. We will also need to create new links between engineering and manufacturing, between demand and supply, although meeting in person, shaking hands, sitting around a table will remain essential and irreplaceable, but at the same time it must be less frequent, more valuable…
We will have to reorganize and streamline many operations, and we might come up with many significant and unexpected benefits.”
- What should the authorities and all of us do?
“I will repeat the request of all companies: work hard to go back to normal as soon as possible. I believe it would be great to increase the capacity to test people not only with swabs to check positivity, but also with blood tests. In some areas, this approach is already being implemented, it would actually allow to monitor people working in companies, deploying an essential tool to ensure the safety of everyone.
While preserving the current safety measures, this would improve the operating capacity of companies and we would be less pessimistic about a future that might be dramatic for industry, economy and employment.
Closing down for two or three weeks is not a problem: the problem arises when you cannot meet your commitments, you cannot deliver pending orders, and you risk legal claims because you don’t meet the agreed deadlines.
I think this is the priority that many should focus on.”
