Tiemme’s acquisition of Forni Varese marks another step forward for the Tuscan company towards increasingly important goals. Its founder, Tiberio Mannaioni, tells us about it.
A globally recognized and appreciated brand, Tiemme has been designing and manufacturing single and double chain overhead conveyors for drying hides for thirty years, producing both standard machinery and fabrications based on the specific needs of individual customers. The experience gained through years of work and the excellent technical preparation of the staff allow Tiemme to offer itself on the market as an ideal partner for the study and realization of any type of overhead chain conveyors, in any condition and for any support, always guaranteeing the most suitable and effective solution to any problem of leather drying. The globalization of markets and, consequently, of competition nowadays requires companies to implement increasingly carefully targeted and proactive strategies. It is natural, then, to understand how dimensional growth becomes a key factor in ensuring sustainable success. Such has been the case for Tiemme, which has become a global benchmark.
When and how did your career start?
“I have an education specialized technical-mechanical training, to be precise. It all began in 1979 when I was working as an assembler; in 1982, I founded my own company specialized in the construction and assembly of overhead chain conveyors and tanning machinery. After a few years, I was transferred from production to the design department and finally to the commercial department where I also took care of all of the areas relative to exports. After a second venture lasting from 1986 to 1991 with another company, I decided in 1992 to break away and give birth to the Tiemme brand (initials of my first and last name). Once production was activated, thanks to the close collaboration with a former partner of mine, I began to distribute our machinery in all the tanning districts, gaining customers and notoriety. In those years there were only a few of us, this gave us the opportunity to make ourselves known and be appreciated for our quality.”
How did you come to the acquisition of Forni Varese?
“I always had a close relationship of trust with Forni Varese so that we even decided to present together at some important trade fairs: in Paris, Milan and Bologna. Such deep cooperation made me acquire the company.”
Your plants are installed all over the world and you are internationally recognized as professionals in leather transport and drying…
“Exactly. Our overhead chains for drying hides are undoubtedly technologically advanced. The quality of our conveyors is evident in the choice of materials, the precision of construction, and is guaranteed by a comprehensive service that involves design and construction within the client companies themselves. In addition, our technology gives rise to a type of drying that has no application limitations and many features that distinguish it. In fact, this type of drying provides the leather with advantages that would otherwise be difficult to achieve. The maintenance costs of our systems are among the lowest on the market so as to ensure fast payback times. Finally, they are all compatible with System 4.0, even if they are a few years old.”
You have also patented a specific type of machinery, tell us about it?
“Yes, it is the Quick nailer (branded Forni Varese), an extremely simple, economical machine that allows high production rates at low temperatures. Quick is particularly suitable for nailing, drying and stabilizing various types of leathers and is entirely customizable: depending on the space requirements of the customer, various models are made, each with different widths and belt development.”
How is your turnover divided and what are your target markets?
“To date, Italy occupies 20 percent, the rest is represented by foreign countries. Thanks also to the acquisition of Forni Varese today we are present all over the World: to name a few, in Europe, Tunisia, China, India, Bangladesh and in South America.”
Technology and innovation… How much does experience count in your industry?
“Italian products are appreciated all over the world and our country has an undisputed leadership in the export of some product categories, but quality, creativity, and innovation are the result of a long experience made on the field and on the front line. Leather, first of all, is made with the hands and the eyes. We were born here, in Santa Croce, where people are used to making excellence the central focus of all activities, both for leather and machines. In this area, mechanics and technology are necessarily on the cutting edge because we work closely with the best tanners in the world who, in turn, are tasked with making original and exclusive products. The rest of the world follows us.”
Valerio Leonardi e Tiberio Mannaioni