Aircom is an Italian company specialized in the production of automatic spray guns, manufactured and exported worldwide. Said guns are designed and assembled in-house, using materials made in Italy. Headquartered in Castellamonte, Piedmont, in the Canavese manufacturing district, halfway between Turin and Ivrea (Fiat, Olivetti,…), the enterprise was founded in the late ‘60s. It experienced a steady process of evolution that, in 1993, resulted in the acquisition by the Trione family. At its second generation, the firm has been led, since 2006, by the owner’s daughter, Annapaola.
In the design division, Alessandro and Davide are getting acquainted: Davide came in a few days ago and, together, they are looking at the upcoming innovations, R&D-wise, for Aircom spray guns. In the administration office, on the other hand, Cristina is checking the documents and arranging the last shipments.
In Aircom, the offices and the workshop are separated by a large glass window. An “Olivetti-inspired” concept of workspaces that fosters the dialogue between the departments: production, design, offices. A simple glance to the other side, that’s all it takes: a work osmosis. Hence, in Aircom, thanks also to the firm’s size and family-run structure, the difference between the various roles is barely perceived. “An open-minded attitude,” explained Annapaola Trione, “resulting, sometimes, in the disappearance of boundaries. And, maybe, workers can voice their opinion on issues not entirely related to their specific role. I enjoy listening to and engage everyone. This is a way to make happy the people working here. I think it is right to develop, as much as possible, a pleasant, serene work environment. It is essential and it can make the difference, especially in the most complicated periods.”
Aircom features a close-knit team, a flagship that has actively contributed to the corporate success. Deborah was hired in 2018 and works in the Marketing & Customer Care department. An experience in England with the Erasmus programme, the graduation and the job interview: hired. “Over the last three years, I have grown in a radical way. Here the potential is huge. Thanks to the constant support, I feel valued; I have the right opportunities and remarkable tools. I find human relationships very peculiar, different with each colleague yet always pleasant: chit-chats during the coffee break or when bumping into each other. Small dialogues that help understand people and their life.”
Samantha is 28. She has been working in Aircom for six years in the assembly division: the technical institute, then the evening classes and the certificate. She joined Aircom in 2015. “I felt immediately at ease. The colleagues taught me patiently the job. There is a lot to learn and to know. We repeat the same actions, that’s true. For example, last week I assembled the same gun, from Monday to Friday: I made 200. However, there is an ample range of products, each designed to meet a different demand. The assembly phase is not so repetitive, after all. There are plenty of things to assemble, to laser punch. I like mechanical engineering.” One of her passions, together with motorsport. When she was a child, she used to modify car systems together with her father: wrenches, plastic screwdrivers, Hot Wheels toy cars, Polistil track…and the dolls left in closet. Now she lives with six cats and her boyfriend, Alberto, with whom she shares her passion for motorsport. “We take part in rally competitions. He is the one at the wheel. Before races, he is incredibly excited: he gets anxious and throws up. On the other hand, I know how to deal with my emotions, I am calm and precise. Like when I am working. Therefore, I am by his side, as his navigator.”
Massimo, 51, is a toolmaker: he is one of the most experienced. “I have great respect for those who came before me and who have taught me a lot,” stated Annapaola. “After middle school, I started working in Aircom,” explained Massimo. “I knew the previous owners; they needed a boy and here I am…36 years later!” He has experienced both the old and the new ownership: the firm’s growth, its evolution. “In the workshop, things were different: if you made a mistake in grinding a tip, the “old” ones understood it immediately due to the noise, without even looking. Once, most of the processes were performed with the hand lathe. Now it is no longer the case.”
Aircom keeps investing in innovation and pays more and more attention to the processes’ digital transformation. It is equipped with cutting-edge machinery, including automatic lathes that guarantee a smooth production: precision, speed, reliability, efficiency, waste reduction. “We are always on the lookout for the best technologies so as to improve our quality and efficiency standards. We do not settle for what we already have,” stated Annapaola Trione. “Work has been changing, automation has grown increasingly strategic and should not be feared: it will help nurture and shape new professionals for the future. The true issue lies in the growing lack of skills and workforce. There is a gap between requirements, education and the actual enrolment to the related courses: there is, for instance, a shortage of qualified mechanical engineering experts. If I find them, I hire them right away!”
Massimo, Deborah, Samantha